Yawatahama: Enjoying Rich Bounty of the Sea at Shikoku's Largest Fishing Port

Yawatahama: A Port Town with Shikoku's Largest Fishing Port and Food Culture

Yawatahama City, Ehime Prefecture, is a port town with a fishing port boasting Shikoku's largest catch volume. It is a food capital with rich food culture of fresh seafood landed from the abundant fishing grounds of the Uwa Sea, along with mikan and jyakoten utilizing the warm climate.

Doya Market

"Doya Market" is a seafood market adjacent to Yawatahama Port. Fresh seafood just landed by local fishermen is lined up, with seafood bowls, sashimi, and grilled fish that can be eaten on the spot also provided. It is a lively market with locals and tourists mingling.

Jyakoten Fish Cakes

"Jyakoten," a representative Ehime local food, is thick tempura made from small fish ground into fish paste and fried. Yawatahama and Uwajima areas are main production areas, enjoyed as udon toppings and standalone side dishes.

Mikan Production Area and Slope Cars

Mikan orchards also spread across steep slopes around Yawatahama, and the unusual sight of "slope cars" (motorized monorails that ascend steep slopes) installed on farmland to make agricultural work enjoyable can be seen.

Access

Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Yawatahama Station to the port. Approximately 1 hour from Matsuyama city by limited express. Ferries to Usuki and Beppu in Oita Prefecture also depart from here, convenient for travel to and from Kyushu.