Setouchi Retreat

In Imabari, Japan’s leading towel-producing region, you can explore a museum dedicated entirely to towels and art. Visit the Towel Museum Ichihiro to see how craft meets creativity through exhibits, European-style gardens and collaborations with picture book artists. Walk through the galleries, enjoy tea surrounded by soft textures, and browse a wide range of locally made towels and Shikoku specialities at the museum shop.

No matter if you’re picking up souvenirs or simply curious about Imabari’s world-famous towels, this visit combines everyday comfort with artistic expression. It’s an experience that turns a simple fabric into an art form.

Visit Ishite-ji Temple, one of the 88 temples on the Shikoku pilgrimage route and a site rich in history and meaning. As you walk along its corridor-style approach, you’ll see statues, gates and halls that hold national treasures and important cultural properties. The temple’s name, meaning “Stone Hand Temple,” comes from a local legend about a man reborn holding a sacred stone.

You can explore the temple grounds, observe pilgrims in white robes and take in the calm spiritual energy that defines this ancient site, a place where Japan’s religious traditions and folklore merge in harmony.

Visit Imabari Castle, one of Japan’s Three Great Sea Castles and a masterpiece of strategic design by the renowned castle builder Takatora Todo. Built surrounded by seawater moats, the castle reflects a rare combination of defense and beauty. As you explore, you’ll notice the craftsmanship in its stone walls and fortifications, each designed with precision.

After sunset, stay to watch the castle come alive under lighting created by designer Haruki Kaito – the illuminated walls and calm waters create a striking scene that feels timeless. It’s a calm yet powerful glimpse into Japan’s architectural and cultural legacy.