Imabari (今治市) Travel Guide & City Profile

Last reviewed: October 23, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Imabari (今治市, Imabari-shi; Japanese pronunciation: [ì.mä́.bä̀.ɾʲì, -bä́.ɾʲí.ɕì]) is a city in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. It is the second largest city in the prefecture. As of 31 August 2022, the city had an estimated population of 152,111 in 75,947 households and a population density of 360 persons per km². The total area of the city is 468.19 square kilometres (180.77 sq mi).

Within Ehime Prefecture (Shikoku region), Imabari (今治市) serves as a city in ehime prefecture. Travelers exploring Ehime often combine a stop in Imabari with regional highlights such as Dogo Onsen Honkan (3,000-year-old bathhouse that inspired Spirited Away) & hilltop Matsuyama Castle, the Shimanami Kaido cycling terminus at Imabari, and preserved Edo wax-merchant streets of Uchiko & Ozu.

Getting to Imabari & Getting Around

Via the regional hub (Matsuyama Station (JR Shiokaze Limited Express) & Matsuyama Airport (MYJ)): 2h 40m from Okayama Station on the JR Shiokaze Limited Express (stopping at Imabari), or 1h 25m flight from Tokyo Haneda.

• Local rail & IC cards: Once in Ehime Prefecture, JR regional lines and local private railways connect Matsuyama with Imabari. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, Icoca) work on major urban and JR commuter gates; for rural branch lines or local buses, keep ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins handy for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station lockers: Main stations in Ehime have coin lockers for day-trippers. If you are stopping in Imabari en route between larger bases, check your suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker or forward big bags ahead with Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental: While city centers around Imabari are accessible by train and taxi, renting a car from a major Shinkansen station or airport in Ehime can be rewarding for reaching mountain gorges, coastal viewpoints, and countryside onsen. Read our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Imabari & Ehime

Imabari shares the culinary traditions of Ehime Prefecture and the wider Shikoku region. Don't miss these local specialties during your visit:

• Tai-meshi (sea bream rice—steamed whole in Matsuyama or raw sashimi over rice with egg in Uwajima) — a signature specialty across Ehime Prefecture.
• Jakoten (fried whole-fish cakes) — a signature specialty across Ehime Prefecture.
• Ehime mikan & citrus juices (literally on tap!) — a signature specialty across Ehime Prefecture.
• Imabari yakitori (seared on flat iron plates) — a signature specialty across Ehime Prefecture.

For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our Japanese Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards to display clear Japanese dietary explanations at restaurants in Imabari.

Best Time to Visit & Seasonal Highlights

March–May and September–November for cycling the Shimanami Kaido into Imabari and strolling Dogo Onsen in a cotton yukata.

Regional highlights across Ehime Prefecture that pair well with a visit to Imabari include: Dogo Onsen Honkan (3,000-year-old bathhouse that inspired Spirited Away) & hilltop Matsuyama Castle, the Shimanami Kaido cycling terminus at Imabari, and preserved Edo wax-merchant streets of Uchiko & Ozu.

Practical Travel Tips for Imabari

• Tourist information center (観光案内所): Look for the Kankō Annaijo counter inside or right outside the main train station in Imabari (or at Matsuyama Station (JR Shiokaze Limited Express) & Matsuyama Airport (MYJ)) for free walking maps, bus timetables, and festival calendars.
• Cash & ATMs: While hotels, chain stores, and convenience stores in Imabari accept international cards and IC payment, smaller family-run restaurants, shrines, and rural buses often prefer cash. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign debit cards reliably.
• Dining hours: Outside major metropolitan hubs, lunch typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM, with earlier last orders (around 8:00–9:00 PM) in smaller cities.