Natural paradise Walking on Futagamijima Island(Futagamijima Island)

ページID：0004749 更新日：2023年11月14日印刷ページ表示

Natural paradise Walking on Futagamijima Island

　From Matsuyama City Station

Matsuyama City Station

Futagamijima Island lies about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the port in the suburbs of Matsuyama.

Take the Iyotetsu Takahama Line from Matsuyama City Station to Mitsu Station (300yen, 13 minutes) or Takahama Station (410yen, 21 minutes).

Train timetable click here( External link )＜外部リンク＞

About 15 minutes on foot from Mitsu Station to Mitsuhama port.

Takahama port is right in front of Takahama Station.

The ferries to Nakajima take an eastern route and western route. For this course, take the western route and get off at Futagami port.

Ferry timetable and fares click here( External link )＜外部リンク＞

15 minutes (On Foot)

　Usa Hachiman Shrine

There is a mysterious forest well suited to a shrine.

Usa Hachiman Shrine was built in 1094, and you visit it by climbing 170 steps. In the Meiji Period, funaodori from Gogoshima Island was presented here, but with depopulation, the custom died out. In October, a rare Shinto blessing is held here, and this tradition continues to be passed on.

Things to see

It stands atop a small hill and is surrounded by dense bamboo forests with a mysterious atmosphere. Enjoy the artistic effect created by various shaped trees.

image:Usa Hachiman Shrine

Location

Leave Futagami port with the sea on your left and follow the road until you see the 170 steps on the right.

15 minutes (On Foot)

　Large cactus

A garden with a huge cactus

This is in a private garden, so you can't just go and see it. There's always somebody around the shops on the main street, so go up and ask someone. “Where is Umeda-san's cactus? ” Anyone will kindly tell you the way. Please speak to somebody at the house before you go and look. (If nobody is home, you may not be able to see it)

Things to see

Over 130 years old, this huge cactus is 5 m tall. In 1967, Prince Takamatsu came to look at it, and there's a monument to the occasion. It is by far the largest cactus in the Setouchi which is a favourable environment for cacti.

image:Large cactus

Location

Go down the steps from Usa Hachiman Shrine and turn left at the sea.

5 minutes (On Foot)

　Juniper habitat

These trees on a rocky mountain are a designated natural monument

This is the most important place on Futagamijima, and island with much important ecology. The juniper trees clinging to the large rocks makes an unusual site. If you look at the sea you can see both Nuwajima and tsuwajijima Islands.

Things to see

It's rare to see a colony of this size in Ehime, and in 1954 the habitat was designated a prefectural natural monument. Several dozen junipers grow on the rocky mountain called Shiroyama. Among them is large tree with a trunk 5 m around, a height of 21 m and an estimated age of 300 years.

image:Juniper habitat

Location

Go out of Umeda-san's house and turn left at the sea. Before the sharp curve by the sea, head for the wharf and it's on the right at the sea.

20 minutes (On Foot)

　New farm road

This spot has great views over both the south and north sides of the island

The nice road going up beside the now closed Futagami elementary school was recently paved. As you thread your way on up between orange groves, you can see the sea on the other side of the island.

Things to see

Nuwajima Island is on the north side, and on the south side is the uninhabited island Yurijima. Gazing at the view of mountains, sea, sky, clouds and islands is one of the unique pleasures of the Seto Inland Sea.

image:New farm road