Enjoy meeting new people as you visit the night spots in Ainan Town, Ehime Prefecture.

First, a brief introduction to Ainan Town

First, enjoy Ainan Town's cuisine at an izakaya. I highly recommend trying the fresh sashimi!

Ainan Town is located at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture, bordering Kochi Prefecture, and is a thriving primary industry of fishing and agriculture. Considering its population, the town has many izakayas and snack bars. This time, we'll introduce some lesser-known ways to enjoy the town at night. Stay overnight and experience Japanese culture at one of the town's night spots.

After enjoying some delicious food at an izakaya, head to a night spot.

There are many different shops in the town, so I would like people to visit not just one, but two or three shops and interact with the locals.

Even today, Ainan Town is blessed with many natural and cultural attractions, such as the beautiful Takamo Cape, which offers a 360-degree view, Ishigaki Village, a fishing village that has continued since the Edo period, and fresh fish caught that day.Ainan Town is also attractive during the day, and is blessed with tourist resources and ingredients, but this time we will take a look at the charms of Ainan Town at night.

Ishigaki Village in Gaido.

Cape Takamo offers a spectacular view. If the weather is good, you can see all of Kyushu.

How to get to Ainan Town

The road to Ainan Town is a long one.

The train and highway only go partway, so the smoothest way to get to Ainan Town is by rental car.

It takes time, but the rich natural environment remains, so please take your time and enjoy the scenery along the way.

If you rent a car, it takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from Matsuyama Airport to Ainan Town.

What are night spot snacks?

We will introduce you to what the snack bar is like and what it is like.

Many of these establishments are open from 8:00 p.m., and are often used as a second stop after visiting an izakaya or other establishment.

As it is a seaside town, many of the customers are people involved in the fishing industry, but there are also women and families who use the facility.

Izakayas often have private rooms, so if you want to interact with locals, we recommend snack bars!

There is a mama and a master, and it is a place where you can casually drink alcohol, sing karaoke, and enjoy interacting with other customers.

They have bottled beer, shochu, whiskey, sours, wine, etc., but you can also order by the glass.

The price varies depending on the drinks and the amount, but none of the establishments are overpriced and you can enjoy them casually.

It may be difficult to enter because you can't see what's on the other side of the door, but please be brave and open the door.

We created the Ainan YOASOBI map in the hopes that people would interact with local people.

We introduce three recommended night spots (snack bars) for beginners to Ainan Town.

Snack Jun

Store exterior

The owner and mother of Snack Jun are a close-knit family.

An event at a snack bar. It was packed with customers.

This is a long-established snack bar that has been in business for 50 years. The owner is still active at age 89! It is run by a mother and daughter, making it one of the oldest snack bars in Ainan Town.

It has the feel of a THE snack bar, and can be enjoyed by both small and large groups, and is recommended for beginners. Many regulars sit at the counter, and some have been coming here for 30 years, so it might be fun to hear stories of Ainan Town's past.

FREJA

Store exterior

The owner is Maki Mama.

This is a restaurant that can be enjoyed by both regulars and first-time customers.

Snack bar FREJA, which is also popular with female customers, is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year.

This popular bar has a gorgeous interior and is always crowded with customers. In addition to shochu and whiskey, the owner is a wine lover, so they also have a wide selection of wines.

shotbar RAIN

Store exterior

The owner, Mr. Nuyama.

Since support is available in English, ALT teachers who teach English to children in the town also gather here.

The only bar in Ainan Town. They have a wide selection of alcoholic drinks, and if you tell them your seasonal fruits and preferences, the bartender will create an original cocktail for you. Many customers enjoy a long conversation while enjoying a drink. You can play old-fashioned Famicom games in the bar, and they also hold music events. If you find a bar that catches your eye, feel free to head out to Ainan Town's night spots and enjoy the evening.

What is a roadside station in the first place?

Rest areas and local development facilities located throughout Japan

Established as a system by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, roadside stations are "places to rest during your journey" and "small bases where you can experience local culture, food and nature." Anyone can use the parking lot and toilets 24 hours a day, and each roadside station has its own unique features, such as being able to find tourist information about the area and purchase local specialties.

Ainan Town, a natural paradise at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture

There are plenty of things to do at Ainan Town's roadside stations that allow you to experience the rich nature!

Located at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture, Ainan Town produces and sells agricultural products throughout the year, including bonito and sea bream caught in the rich and beautiful seas that are designated as a national park, as well as various citrus fruits and broccoli, including Kawachi bankan, which boasts the highest production volume in Japan.

The various vegetables, fish, and fruits grown in Ainan Town, bathed in the tropical sun, are shipped to markets, supermarkets, restaurants, and other locations both within and outside the town, but the produce on display at the local roadside station is brought to you by the producers every day, ensuring exceptional freshness! You can experience the seasonal flavors of Ainan Town in real time. What's more, local production and consumption keeps distribution costs down, sales prices lower than in urban areas, and the environmental impact associated with distribution is reduced, making it a win-win situation for everyone. For this reason, in this article we will introduce three of the town's main roadside stations.

1. Misho MIC Roadside Station

Located along the national highway, it's easily accessible! There's also a large bus parking lot and a coffee shop.

Name: Roadside Station Misho MIC

Address: 4296-1 Misozora Hirajo, Ainan-cho, Minamiuwa-gun, Ehime Prefecture

Business hours: 7:00-19:00 (public toilets and parking lot available 24 hours) *Coffee shop: 8:00-19:00

Parking: 3 large vehicles, approximately 30 standard vehicles, 1 disabled parking space

The first place we would like to introduce is Misho MIC Roadside Station.

Located along National Route 56, this roadside station has parking for both private cars and large buses, making it a popular destination for bus tours and motorcycle touring. Depending on the season, the roadside station offers a wide selection of seasonal seafood, including bento boxes made by local fishmongers, bonito, oysters, and other seafood, as well as citrus fruits and vegetables from local farmers. It also sells a wide range of souvenirs, so if you're unsure what to look for in Ainan Town, this is the place to go!

In addition, there is a coffee shop called "Ambert" on the second floor of the store, perfect for a meal or a break during your drive!

2. Green Fresh Market

A farm shop located in the middle of a rice field, a favorite haunt of locals

Name: Green Fresh Market

Address: 712 Midori Otsu, Ainancho, Minamiuwa District, Ehime Prefecture

Business hours: 8:30 - 18:00

Closed: January 1st to January 3rd (New Year's Day)

Parking: Approximately 20 standard-sized cars

Midori Shinsenichi is a locally-based direct sales store with an array of fresh, locally grown vegetables, seafood, and handmade processed goods. We recommend it as a place to experience the "authentic local flavors" that you won't find in tourist areas. Inside the store, you'll find vegetables harvested that morning and seafood caught in the Uwa Sea. Particularly popular are the freshly seared bonito and side dishes and bento boxes made by local mothers. Everything is reasonably priced, making it an "oasis of flavor" that you can easily drop into during your travels. The store staff are also familiar with local producers, and will gladly recommend which ingredients they recommend and how to cook them. It's truly a "market that connects people."

3. Fresh Ipponmatsu

A steaming farm shop where people gather and enjoy the bounty of nature

Name: Fresh Ipponmatsu

Address: 5470 Masuda, Ainan-cho, Minamiuwa-gun, Ehime Prefecture

Business hours: 8:00 - 18:00

Closed: January 1st to January 3rd (closed only during the New Year holidays)

Parking: Approximately 10 cars (parking is also available in front of Akebono Onsen and Akebono Grounds)

Ipponmatsu is located between the mountains and the sea in Ainan Town. Fresh Ipponmatsu is a direct sales store adjacent to the hot spring inn, Ipponmatsu Onsen Akebono-so. In addition to fresh vegetables and fruits brought by local farmers and fishermen, one of the highlights is the handmade ice cream that can be enjoyed all year round. It's the perfect dessert for your trip. They also sell processed products made from moray eels and locally caught fish, side dishes, and local crafts such as bamboo baskets. Ipponmatsu Onsen Akebono-so is located nearby, so you can enjoy the hot springs and local cuisine together.

summary

Why not experience the charm of the region through Ainan Town's food?

In the naturally rich town of Ainan, located at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture, you can experience the region's unique "abundance of food" by visiting the town's farm shops and roadside stations. Vegetables and fruits picked that morning, seafood caught in the Uwa Sea, prepared dishes and processed foods handmade by locals, all of these products are filled with the warmth of "seeing the faces of the people who made them."

The best time to visit is in the morning, when the freshest produce delivered by producers that morning is on display and the selection is at its most extensive. Popular items may sell out early, so it's a good idea to stop by at the start of your trip.

Experience the "life in Ainan Town" through agricultural products and local flavors, something you won't find just at tourist spots. The "gentle deliciousness" is sure to remain in your memory from your trip.

• Table of Contents
• Ipponmatsu, Ainan Town, Minamiuwa District, Ehime Prefecture - A Visit to the "Original Landscape of Japan"
• A hidden travel destination at the southernmost tip of Shikoku
• The seasonal scenery woven by nature
• Ipponmatsu, a "treasure trove of food"
• Experience the lives and culture of the people
• A "small" but important place

Ipponmatsu, Ainan Town, Minamiuwa District, Ehime Prefecture - A Visit to the "Original Landscape of Japan"

Ainan Town is located at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku. Among its attractions, the Ipponmatsu district quietly stirs the hearts of visitors as a place where mountains, rivers, and people's lives coexist in harmony. Ipponmatsu, located at the southernmost tip of Ainan Town, is a place where the "primitive landscape" that has been nurtured over the years lives on, and where "time flows slowly" that cannot be experienced in the city.

A hidden travel destination at the southernmost tip of Shikoku

Ipponmatsu is the "southern gateway to Shikoku," about two and a half hours by car from Matsuyama and accessible from Kochi. Unlike big cities bustling with tourists, it doesn't receive many visitors yet. That's why travelers can experience "authentic country life" and "the simple, warm, unspoiled scenery of Japan" here.

While it has a history of thriving through forestry and tourism, it is still home to abundant nature and the lives of its people, with rice paddies and fields changing with the seasons. The air, a step away from the city, will provide visitors with a "rest of the soul."

The seasonal scenery woven by nature

One of the charms of Ipponmatsu is undoubtedly the nature that changes with the seasons.

In spring, Akebono azaleas bloom on the slopes of the Satoyama mountain area, welcoming travelers along with the calm sea in the distance.

In summer, the mountains are enveloped in lush greenery and the rice fields sparkle. You can also see families enjoying swimming in the river and fishing.

In autumn, golden rice ears sway in the wind, and citrus fields awaiting harvest color the mountainside.

The lone pine tree conveys the changing of the seasons in its original form, something that can no longer be felt in the city.

Ipponmatsu, a "treasure trove of food"

Ipponmatsu is also known as a "treasure trove of food."

The roadside station is packed with vegetables and fruits lovingly grown by local farmers, and is bustling with customers every day.

The sea that stretches out in front of Ipponmatsu is a treasure trove of seafood blessed by the Kuroshio Current. Dishes made with fresh seafood, such as red sea bream, yellowtail, oysters, and pearl scallops, can be enjoyed at local restaurants and inns. The fish landed at the fishing port of Fukaura are particularly fresh, allowing you to enjoy a culinary experience that you would never find in the city.

Experience the lives and culture of the people

The joys of a trip to Ipponmatsu aren't just the nature and food. Here, people live close to each other. When travelers walk down the street, locals will ask, "Where are you from?" Such warm interactions are a part of everyday life in this town.

The region also continues to hold traditional events and festivals, and depending on the time of year you visit, you may be able to see drumming and dancing up close. These are not staged events for tourists, but rather cultures that have been preserved by the local people as part of their daily lives. It is this simplicity that touches the hearts of travelers.

In Ipponmatsu, you can experience the local lifestyle firsthand by staying at traditional inns and guesthouses. Locally picked wild vegetables are served for breakfast, and when you open the window, you can enjoy the view of the countryside and tranquil rural towns. This time is truly a "mental detox."

A "small" but important place

The people of Ainan often say, "It's just Ainan, but what's important is love." There are no special tourist facilities or flashy townscapes. However, this town has "warmth of people," "abundant nature," and "unchanging daily life."

Ipponmatsu may become like a "second home" for those who visit.

Why not escape the hustle and bustle of the city and experience a relaxing trip to Ipponmatsu, home to majestic mountains and laid-back people?