Recently, I had the chance to spend a day working in Osaka. After finishing, I headed back to the station to catch the next Shinkansen to Tokyo. As I followed the Hanshin Expressway — a long, straight road that cuts through the heart of Osaka — I stumbled across the office of Ehime Prefecture.
It’s a government office that proudly showcases the prefecture’s famous delicacies and souvenirs. Located on the island of Shikoku, Ehime is where mountains and villages meet the sea. It is known for historical landmarks, such as Matsuyama Castle and Imabari Castle, which were both built during the Edo period.
It’s also home to what is said to be Japan’s oldest bathhouse, Dogo Onsen, which was built during the Meiji period. A Mini Ehime Located in Kansai What initially drew my attention to the Ehime Prefecture office was the market stalls neatly lining the building’s entrance. These stalls offered an array of local Ehime delicacies, including orange baked goods and pickled vegetables.
I was drawn to one of the stalls by a fragrant scent. A kind lady behind a stovetop offered me a pan-fried sweet potato yokan (a traditional Japanese sweet made from red bean paste and agar jelly). Intrigued by what other treasures Ehime held, I ventured into the shop.
As you enter, you’re immediately greeted by towering floor-to-ceiling wall displays, packed with rows upon rows of pamphlets. From guides and maps to photo competition flyers, it has it all, highlighting the region’s rich c.
