Category:Ehime Prefecture

Ehime Prefecture is located in the Shikoku region, facing the Seto Inland Sea and characterized by a mild climate, terraced hillsides, and coastal towns. The region has long supported farming, maritime trade, and artisanal production, with island communities and mountain villages maintaining strong local identities tied to seasonal rhythms and natural resources.

The capital, Matsuyama, is known for Matsuyama Castle and Dōgo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest hot spring towns. Cultural heritage in Ehime blends the refinement of castle-town craftsmanship with agricultural and maritime traditions rooted in daily life. The prefecture’s islands and rural areas preserve communities where handcraft skills continue to be passed down through generations.

Culturally, Ehime is associated with paper-making, woodcraft, and textiles, along with crafts tied to home, festival culture, and regional storytelling. Materials such as mulberry fiber, cedar, and woven plant fibers play central roles, expressing the prefecture’s warm, natural aesthetic.

Signature Crafts of Ehime Prefecture

• Iyo washi (伊予和紙) – handmade paper known for its soft texture and versatility, used in calligraphy, stationery, and interior crafts.
• Uchiko wax and paper crafts (内子の和ろうそく・和紙) – traditional wax candles and papermaking rooted in local workshop towns.
• Ehime woodcraft – utensils and vessels produced from local cedar and broadleaf woods, emphasizing gentle form and use.
• Island textile and fiber weaving – cloth and basketry traditions shaped by rural and coastal life.