Mitsuhama

Mitsuhama, or Mitsu for short, is the old port area of Matsuyama. Originally a separate village, it gradually merged with Matsuyama as the city expanded. In the old days, whenever the people of Matsuyama had to go anywhere, they would go to Mitsu to get on a boat. These included the feudal lords of western Shikoku who would stay in Mitsu to wait for favourable wind and tide for sailing to Edo. Today, ferries depart for the local islands and for Yamaguchi prefecture, across the Seto Inland Sea.

Mitsu is also a fishing port, and the morning fish market at Mitsu is an event worth seeing. Mitsuhama is bounded on three sides by water, the Seto Inland Sea and the Miyamae River. A little passenger ferry plies back and forth across the port, one of the few ferries that is actually a designated National Route.

Mitsu is one of the few places in Japan where you can still see buildings dating from the Edo, Meiji, Taishō and Shōwa periods in a single area, and most of these buildings are also still in use, as homes or shops and restaurants. The dockside is full of boats and cranes, some of which are elegant vintage models.

Places to see include Taiya Restaurant, Itukushima Shrine and the offices of the Ishizaki Kisen shipping line.

Mitsu is home to a lot of seabirds and cats.

Information

Name in Japanese: 三津浜
Pronunciation: mitsu-hama
Address: 1 Aizumachi, Matsuyama, Ehime 791-8076