Imabari City is in the northwest part of Shikoku Island, Japan, in Ehime Prefecture. It's an excellent place to explore because it offers an interesting and enjoyable experience for visitors.
Imabari is well-known for producing high-quality towels and has a long history of textile manufacturing. When you visit, you can learn fascinating facts about the city's past and enjoy the comfort of these amazing towels.
Still trying to decide if you want to go? Well, below are some great reasons why you should consider visiting Imabari City in Japan.
1. Imabari Towel
Imabari is the biggest towel producer in Japan, and Imabari Towel is a beloved towel brand worldwide. These towels are famous for being super soft, having vibrant colors, and being very absorbent.
Imabari has plenty of pure water available. This is perfect for bleaching and dyeing fabrics. When you visit, you can check out many different towel makers, big and small, who use modern and traditional methods to make these amazing towels.
The Towel Association makes sure all the makers follow strict rules to ensure Imabari Towels are of excellent quality.
Imabari Towel Logo
Image source: Japarcana Inc.
2. Textile Heritage
Imabari City is not just known for making towels, but also for producing fabric used for interior goods and fashion, such as scarves in different colors and patterns. If you visit, you can go to Kobo Oriza, a factory that uses really old weaving machines to make scarves.
At this factory, you can see how they weave the scarves and even try using the traditional pedal-powered machines yourself. It's pretty cool!
Another great place to visit is the Ichihiro Towel Museum. They show you how towels are made, from spinning the yarn to weaving the fabric. They even have artworks made out of towels on display. It's indeed an interesting museum!
Ichihiro Towel Museum: Image Source https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11315898
3. Access and Getting Around
Imabari City is conveniently accessible by various means of transportation. Travelers can reach Imabari by train, with a 2-hour journey from Okayama Station. There are also bus options, including a night bus from Shinagawa in Tokyo and regular buses from Osaka and Hiroshima.
For those arriving by plane, there are daily flights from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Matsuyama Airport, followed by a bus ride and a train journey to Imabari. Besides that, Imabari is connected to Honshu via the Shimanami Kaido expressway, which is accessible to both cars and bicycles.
4. Imabari Castle
Imabari Castle might not be as well-known as some other castles in Japan, but it's definitely worth a visit. It was built way back in 1604, so it has a lot of history. One interesting thing about the castle is that you can see all kinds of artifacts related to ancient warfare inside the replica castle keep. It's a glimpse into the past!
Visitors can easily reach Imabari Castle by taking a bus from the JR station and enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the tower.
Imabari Castle: Image Source: https://www.jcastle.info/view/Imabari_Castle
5. Shimanami Kaido and Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge
Imabari City is one of the endpoints of the Shimanami Kaido bicycle route, a popular cycling route that connects Shikoku and Honshu. Renting a bike and exploring the coastline towards the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge is highly recommended.
This bridge is the longest of its kind in the world! It gives you amazing views of the Seto Inland Sea and the nearby islands.
The Shimanami Kaido Image Source: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3478.html
Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge
Image Source: https://en.japantravel.com/places/ehime/kurushima-kaikyo-bridge/330
Final Words
Whether you're a fan of towels, love exploring old buildings, or enjoy being surrounded by nature, Imabari City in Japan has something for everyone. Discover the rich history of towel-making, explore Imabari Castle, and take a scenic bike ride along the Shimanami Kaido.
Imabari is a city that beautifully combines culture, history, and stunning natural landscapes. It's undeniably a destination worth exploring when you're in Japan!
If you don't have time yet to visit Imabari City, we can bring its charm to you. Explore Japarcana's collection and let us deliver the luxurious Imabari towels right to your home!