Ikata (Nanyo B Guide)
From IkataWiki
- This is a wikified version of the Ikata entries in the JET Nanyo B Local Guide.
The town of Ikata spans the Sadamisaki Peninsula, the westernmost part of Ehime Prefecture. In April 2005, the former towns of Ikata, Seto, and Misaki merged to form the current town of Ikata.
For general information about Ikata's history, sightseeing, and festivals, please see the Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikata
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Getting to Ikata
- By train: The closest train station is JR Yawatahama. From there you must take a car or bus.
- By car: Take Route 197 "Melody Line" from Yawatahama. It takes about 45 minutes to drive from Honai (Yawatahama) to Misaki Port at the tip of the peninsula.
- By bus: Iyotetsu buses run from Yawatahama. See Buses in Ikata for more route maps and schedules.
- By ferry: Ferries run from Saganoseki and to Misaki Port (approx. ¥2,300, 70 min)
Old Ikata
Old Ikata starts at the base of the Sadamisaki Peninsula and continues down the peninsula through the Futami neighborhood. It is bounded by the Seto area to the west, and Honai (Yawatahama) on the east.
Shopping, banking, and errands
There are a few small, locally-owned grocery stores and knick-knack shops mostly in Minatoura and Kucho, but their selection and hours are quite limited. There is a 24-hour Lawson in Minatoura, but for any real shopping you will need to go to Honai or Yawatahama proper (a 10 or 20 minute drive).
- Lawson (24-hour) - for limited groceries, entertainment items, paying bills
- JA Coop (closes at 6:30pm) - for somewhat-less-limited groceries
- There are other small greengrocers, fishmongers, clothing, photography, electronics, and bicycle stores near Ikata Elementary School
- Daily Yamazaki - another standard convenience store, but not open 24 hours
Banking options are the JA, Iyo Bank, or the Post Office, all of which have branches with ATMs in Minatoura.
- JA Bank - By default your paycheck will be sent here. ATMs stop operating at 6:30pm. ATM availability is poor outside of the Nanyo area (though some convenience store ATMs will work), so you may want to open a Post Office account.
- Post Office - The Minatoura branch closes around 7pm.
Dining
There are a number of yakitori restaurants near the Town Office in Minatoura, as well as casual shokudō-style places along Melody Line.
- Kuishinbō- yakitori & izakaya fare - just after the turn off from Melody Line to the Town Office
- Yakitori Ichiban - yakitori & izakaya fare, along the main road in Minatoura
- Hibari - izakaya fare - a few stores down from the Town Office
- Maruma - shokudō fare - on Melody Line halfway down the hill from Honai
- Melody Cafe - shokudō & coffee, on Melody Line after the Kawanagata tunnel
Sightseeing & entertainment
There is very little to do in Old Ikata when there isn't a festival going on. The nearest bowling, karaoke, game centers, etc. are in Honai and Yawatahama.
The Kamegaike onsen (hot spring) facility was recently renovated is located in Old Ikata's Futami neighborhood. Enjoy a soak and explore the surrounding park.
The Power Plant Visitor's Center is a fun science museum with displays and games that teach all about the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant. Next to it is the Kirara-kan, a highway rest-stop with an aquarium, souvenirs, and local products for sale.
The Machimi History Museum in the Kuchō neighborhood often has interesting exhibits. The curators run the Sadamisaki Adventure Club, which organizes trips to various cultural events throughout the year.
Some of Ikata's largest festivals are held in the Minatoura area.
- The Kinahaiya Ikata Festival is usually the last Sunday of July. Carnival-style event- food vendors, stage shows, free sake sampling, children's sumo, etc during the day. Climax is a big fireworks display at night.
- The Fall Festival is held the 3rd Sunday in October. Ushi-oni (Ox Demon), Itsushika (5 deer dancing), Karashishi (lion dance), etc.
Seto
The Seto area is sandwiched between Misaki and Old Ikata, in the heart of the Sadamisaki Peninsula.
Shopping, banking, and errands
There are some small, locally-owned grocery stores in Seto such as Kawada store. For any substantial shopping you'll have to go to Honai or Yawatahama. The closest standard convenience store is Lawson in Old Ikata.
There are JA Bank and Post Office branches with ATMs in the Mitsukue and Ōku neighborhoods as well as an Iyo Bank branch in Mitsukue.
Dining
- Fūsha Restaurant - Above the Seto Agriculture Park along Melody Line
- DanDan - gelato (ice cream), local produce & Shionashi's famous Kintarō sweet potatoes - At the base of the Seto Agriculture Park
- Pocket Park - Across the street from the Seto Agriculture Park
- Hot Road - Next to the Ōku Observatory along Melody Line
Sightseeing & entertainment
- Seto Wind Hill Park - Get an amazing view of Ikata's mountains, windmills, and oceans, all at once! Off Melody Line between Shionashi 2 and 3 tunnels
- Swim at the nice, sandy beaches of Shionashi, Kawanohama and Ōku
- The scenic drive along Melody Line with great fishing spots in Mitsukue, Shionashi, Ashinaru and Oe
- Ōku Observatory (a Greek-looking building) overlooks the Uwa Sea
- Hamakko Karaoke bar - along Melody Line after the 3rd Shionashi tunnel
Misaki
Shopping, banking, and errands
There are some small, locally-owned grocery stores in Futanazu and Misaki proper, but their selection and hours are limited. The waterfront in Misaki proper has a nice cafe, bakery, and a small convenience store. For any serious shopping you will need to go to Honai or Yawatahama.
There are JA Bank and Post Office branches with ATMs in Futanazu and Misaki proper.
Dining
- Marina-tei - seafood & more - along Melody Line before the port - The chef here was once a contestant on TV's Iron Chef. Excellent, innovative cuisine.
- For the prepared, there is a French restaurant in the mountains. The owners built a lovely and authentic French home for this restaurant/design company. Lunch or Dinner is by reservation only. Call Shimauchi-san at (0894) 54-1939 and try to speak to her in English! Ask Shimauchi-san for directions because it is quite difficult to find.
Sightseeing & entertainment
- The Galaxy karaoke bar - on the waterfront - a little seedy
- Sadamisaki Lighthouse - at the very tip of the peninsula - Not for the faint of heart.
