Old Ikata
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| Town of Ikata | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Old Ikata | Seto | Misaki |
| Info for residents | Exchange Program | ||
Old Ikata is one of the three main areas of Ikata. It lies at the base of the Sadamisaki Peninsula, sandwiched between Seto to the west, and Honai to the east.
On April 1, 2005, Old Ikata merged with Seto and Misaki to form the current town of Ikata.
Contents |
Neighborhoods
The major neighborhoods of Old Ikata are as follows.
- Along Melody Line
- Kawachi
- Minatoura
- Ikata Town Office, Central Community Center, Lifelong Learning Center, Ikata Junior High School, Ikata Elementary School
- Kuchō
- Ikata Nuclear Power Plant, Kuchō Elementary School
- Futami
- Kamegaike Onsen, Futami Elementary School
- Pacific Ocean side
- Nitanohama
- Ohama
- Nakaura
- Kawanagata
- Toyonoura
- Toyonoura Elementary School
- Inland Sea side
- Ikatagoshi
- Kameura
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 JET participants' paychecks will be sent here. ATMs stop operating at 6:30pm. ATM availability is poor outside of the Nan'yo 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, which 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.
