Imabari Guide: Yakitori on an Iron Griddle, Towels, a Sea Castle and the Kurushima Strait (Shimanami Kaido)

Quick answer: Imabari is the Ehime end of the Shimanami Kaido, about 40 minutes from Matsuyama by limited express. Eat Imabari yakitori — chicken pressed flat on a hot iron griddle — buy famous Imabari towels, see Imabari Castle with its sea-water moat (¥520), and ride the Kurushima Strait tidal-current boat (¥2,000) through some of Japan’s fastest sea currents. Don’t miss the view from Kirosan Observatory (free).

I’ve driven the Shimanami Kaido to Imabari many times. In the city I’ve eaten Imabari-style yakitori, shopped for towels, visited the castle, and taken the boat into the whirling currents of the Kurushima Strait. Here’s what I’d tell a friend.

Getting to Imabari

Note: since October 2026, all Shimanami Liner buses between Imabari and Fukuyama must be booked in advance. There’s no direct bus from Onomichi; you change on the way. See Shimanami Kaido: Bike or Car? and Shikoku Bridge Tolls.

Imabari yakitori

Imabari has its own style of yakitori, and it isn’t on skewers. The chicken — especially chicken skin — is cooked on a thick iron griddle and pressed flat with a heavy iron weight, so it turns crisp and the fat runs off. It’s served with a sweet-savoury sauce. The style is about 50 years old, and the city once had over 100 yakitori shops.

I’ve eaten it myself.

• Order: kawa (chicken skin) is the classic.
• Finish with sensanki — Imabari’s name for fried chicken.
• Another local dish to try: yakibuta tamago meshi, roast pork and fried eggs on rice.

Imabari towels

Imabari is famous across Japan for its towels, and “Imabari Towel” is a quality brand — soft, absorbent and a popular souvenir. I’ve bought towels here myself.

• Imabari Towel Main Store (inside Texport Imabari, about 10 minutes from the station by taxi): 9:30–18:00, with a café.
• Towel Museum (Asakura, about 15 minutes from Imabari IC by car): ¥1,000 for adults, 9:30–18:00. Exhibitions, a large shop and a garden.

Imabari Castle

Built by the famous castle builder Todo Takatora from 1602, Imabari Castle is one of Japan’s great sea castles: its wide moat is filled with seawater from the Inland Sea, and you can see sea fish swimming in it. The current keep is a 1980 reconstruction that houses a museum. I’ve visited the castle myself.

• Admission: ¥520 (free for under-18s). 9:00–17:00.
• Getting there: about 9 minutes by bus from JR Imabari Station. The grounds are free and open all the time.

The Kurushima Strait tidal-current boat

The strait between Imabari and Oshima island has some of the fastest tidal currents in Japan, running under the long Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge. A small boat takes you right into the currents and whirlpools. I’ve been on it myself.

• Fare: ¥2,000 for adults (raised in October 2025; some websites still show the old price).
• Time: about 50 minutes. Departures roughly every hour from about 9:00 to 16:00.
• Boarding: Shitadami port on Oshima, next to the Yoshiumi Ikiiki-kan roadside station. Check in at least 30 minutes before.
• Closed: New Year’s Day, and Wednesdays from December to mid-March. Book online, or turn up if seats are left.

Kirosan Observatory

On Oshima island, Kirosan Observatory (307 m, designed by Kengo Kuma) looks down on the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge and the islands. It’s free and open 24 hours, and since 2026 it’s lit up from sunset to 22:00. Car park works continue until early January 2027 (one car park closed, temporary toilets). I haven’t been to the observatory myself.

From Imabari to the islands

Ferries from Imabari connect to the islands of the Shimanami Kaido and beyond. I’ve taken the ferry from Imabari to Omishima myself. See Taking Your Car on Shimanami Kaido Ferries.

On autumn weekends in 2026, JR West also ran a trial passenger boat between Onomichi and Imabari, stopping at the islands (bicycles welcome).

FAQ

How do I get from Matsuyama to Imabari?
About 40 minutes by JR limited express, or by Setouchi Bus (¥1,300).

What is Imabari yakitori?
Chicken, especially chicken skin, cooked on an iron griddle and pressed flat with an iron weight.

How much is the Kurushima tidal-current boat?
¥2,000 for adults, about 50 minutes, from Shitadami port on Oshima.

Is Imabari Castle worth visiting?
It’s one of Japan’s best-known sea castles, with a seawater moat, and under-18s get in free.

Fares and hours checked on official Imabari City, operator and Setouchi Bus websites on 25 October 2026.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.