[2025 Imabari Attraction] Travel Guide for Kirosan Observatory Park (Updated May)

When talking about traveling in Japan, we often think of Tokyo or Osaka first. Little is known about Ehime, the tranquility of Ehime amid the hustle and bustle of Tokyo While others are wandering around popular places🚶we have walked through the streets and seaside of Ehime, leisurely savoring its unique Japanese style~ - 📍Destination: Ehime, Shikoku, Japan ✈️Transportation: Airplane (transfer to Songshan Airport) - [Guide to check-in at tourist spots] ❶Xiatan Station Spirited Away Holy Land Seaside Station🚉 Tourists come here admiringly The stop signs and station seats are the points where the film is released. Opposite is the blue sea, just take a photo and it becomes the wallpaper ❷The same maritime railway track from "Spirited Away" 10 minutes walk from Xiatan Station Walk down the path🛤️ You can see the romantic maritime railway track Feel like you are in an animation and feel the unique atmosphere ❸Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge Cycling resort Shimanami Kaido in Setouchi 🚴 The scenery of the cross-island bridge is quite spectacular, with a panoramic view of the sea🌊 You can rent bicycles at SHIMANAMI It takes about 5 minutes to ride to the bridge, which is very convenient🌉 ❹Guilaoshan Outlook Park The best time to go is in the evening on a sunny day Drive/cycle to the parking lot and then walk to the top You can see the beautiful sunset over the Seto Inland Sea🌅 ❺Orange juice comes out of the tap Songshan has a particularly interesting experience Orange juice comes directly from the tap here! Different faucets correspond to different flavors🍊 There are more than ten flavors 👅 fresh and delicious ❻Dogo Hot Spring There is a long history here. You can enjoy the hot springs and relax. The surrounding buildings are antique🍃There are general shops and exclusive private rooms upstairs (extra charge required) Tips: There are still private rooms reserved for the royal family for visiting (the walls are covered with gold foil) ❼Towel Museum The towels inside range from traditional to creative designs, which is dizzying. The production process is also shown, and the Moomin towel exhibition is great for making movies. ❽Starbucks Dogo Onsen Station Store The architectural style of this house is very distinctive Taking the photo from a distance, it feels like a movie location There is a commercial street next to it, so you can go shopping~ ❾Wolong Villa There is also a quiet place called "Wolong Villa" in Ehime, Japan. Stepping into the Japanese-style garden, the wind blows through the green bamboos. Sitting on the ground under the pavilion, sipping fragrant tea, looking up, the beautiful scenery in the courtyard is picturesque, and time seems to have stopped, with only the fragrance of tea and tranquility remaining.

Kirosan Observation Park is located on Oshima Island, which is connected to Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture by the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge. The spectacular view from this observation deck is said to be the best on the Shimanami Kaido, and you're sure to be impressed not only during the day, but also at sunset and at night. A 360-degree panorama opens up, overlooking the Kurushima Strait, the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, Imabari City, and even the Ishizuchi mountain range if the weather is good. Kirosan Observation Deck, a spectacular spot, was designed by Kengo Kuma, and is worth seeing as an architectural work, attracting many tourists. Please come and visit! ! #Spectacular views #Couple trip #Summer trip #Ehime #Trip to enjoy spring #Free spot #Japan Genki Project 2021 #Amazing nature #Summer trip #Spectacular views #Trip to enjoy spring

Introducing the spectacular spot "Kirosan Observatory" in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture ✨ Kirosan Observatory, located at an altitude of 301.1m, is designated as part of the Setonaikai National Park◎The interestingly shaped observation deck is said to have been designed by the world-famous architect Kengo Kuma!! From the Kiro Mountain Observatory, you can see the world's first triple suspension bridge, the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, the Kurushima Strait, and the highest peak in western Japan, Mt. Ishizuchi. 🏔️Spot name: Kiro Mountain Observatory 📍Location: 487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture 🕰️Opening hours: 24-hour access ※Open all year round 💰Admission fee: Free 🚘Access: Car▶︎Approximately 15 minutes from Oshima Kita IC #Domestic travel #Ehime #Spring 0 yen trip

Introducing the Kirosan Observatory on the Shimanami Kaido in Ehime Prefecture. What is the Shimanami Kaido? The Setouchi Shimanami Kaido is a 60km long expressway that connects Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. It connects six beautiful islands floating in the Seto Inland Sea with bridges, and you can enjoy cycling while looking at the beauty of the islands below! The Kirosan Observatory is an observation park at the top of Kirosan (307.8m above sea level) and is a popular view spot on the Shimanami Kaido! It is also famous as a sacred place for lovers, and many padlocks with couples' names written on them are attached! An observation deck with a 360-degree panoramic view Designed by the famous Kengo Kuma It is also famous for its modern and stylish design The maze-like intricate passages are also exciting Recommended points ・If you're going during the day, aim for a sunny day! ・We also recommend going at sunset! The sky and sea shine golden in the sunset, and you can see the horizon as the sun sets. →The air is especially clear on a clear sunset. ・The seaweed salt ice cream at the souvenir shop in the parking lot is delicious! Imabari towels are also very cheap and perfect as souvenirs. ⚠️There are many stairs, so be careful where you step. Be careful not to let your hat fly away on windy days. 📍Kiroyama Observatory 487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime Free admission Free parking There is a souvenir shop in the parking lot 🚾Free #Domestic travel strategy #Ehime #Shimanami Kaido #Date spot

📍Kirosan Observation Park, Ehime Prefecture Kirosan Observation Park, located at an altitude of 301.1m, is located at the southern tip of Oshima Island and is designated as part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park. From the panoramic observation bridge, known for its design by Kengo Kuma, you can see the world's first triple suspension bridge, the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, the tidal currents of the Kurushima Strait, one of Japan's three fastest tides, and on a clear day, the highest peak in western Japan, Mt. Ishizuchi. In addition, the regular illumination of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge and the night view of Imabari City are also must-sees. It was ranked second in the "Travel Lovers' Choice! Japan's Best Viewpoints Ranking 2017" announced by Trip Advisor. In 2017, "The Kurushima Strait as seen from the summit of Mt. Kiro" was selected as one of the 88 scenic views of Shikoku. #0 yen travel January 2025

Kirosan Observation Park in Imabari City is located along the Shimanami Kaido. It's a popular spot with an observation deck overlooking the Seto Inland Sea 😚 A 360-degree panoramic view of the ocean and mountains 🤍 The view from the observation deck is so beautiful that I just stared at it for a while. The recommended times to visit are in the evening and at night. You can enjoy the sunset sky and the sparkling night view, respectively. It's especially popular in the evening, so there's a line to get a parking spot... But the view you get after the wait is amazing, so it's worth the wait🙆♀️ On the way back, get some ice cream or Japanese sweets at the parking lot shop🍡🍨 Please be sure to go~ ✈︎---------------------------------------------✈︎ 📍: Kirosan Observatory Park, Imabari City 📸: iPhone 13 Pro, Canon EOS 5D MarkⅣ ✈︎---------------------------------------------✈︎ #DomesticTravelRecord #Ehime #EhimeTrip #EhimeTourism #Imabari #ImabariCity #ImabariTourism #KirosanObservatory #KirosanObservatoryPark #ShimanamiKaido

An observation park located on Mount Kiro, 307.8m above sea level, at the southern tip of Oshima Island. From the modern underground observation deck, designed to preserve the island's scenery, you can see the Kurushima Strait, one of Japan's three fastest tides, and the Shikoku Mountains. Along the road near the summit, there is a spot where you can see the entire Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, the world's first triple suspension bridge, and it is also popular as a night view spot (^^) [Location] 487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime Prefecture [Access] Bus stop Kameyama / About 44 minutes on foot from Setonaikai Kotsu Bus stop Kameyama / About 44 minutes on foot from Setonai Bus Bus stop Haseike / About 48 minutes on foot from Setonaikai Kotsu #0 yen trip November

This spectacular view is from Kirosan Observation Park, a short distance from Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture! In fact, this is one of the 88 scenic views of Shikoku! It was designed by Kengo Kuma 🥹 The spectacular view of the Shimanami Strait spreads out before your eyes! The regular illumination of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge and the beautiful night view of Imabari city are also must-sees ☝🏽 The access is by car as it is on a steep mountain! 📍Location: Kirosan Observation Park 487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture 🕰️Opening hours: 24 hours free entry and exit #Ehime #Domestic travel #0 yen travel autumn #Spectacular views #Shikoku travel #100 travel styles

Kirosan Observatory is a scenic spot in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, where you can see the magnificent scenery of the Shimanami Kaido. The observation deck offers a beautiful view of the bridge running over the sea with the islands and the Seto Inland Sea in the background, and the sunset and night views are especially breathtakingly fantastic. The observation deck, which combines the beauty of nature with modern architecture, features a simple yet sophisticated design, and you can enjoy the view even from a covered space, making it less affected by the weather. The road to the observation deck is also perfect for cycling or driving, and it is also a nice point that you can access it while enjoying the scenery that changes with the seasons. There are also famous cherry blossom spots in the surrounding area, and in spring the contrast between the cherry blossoms and the sea is even more beautiful. You can spend a peaceful time enjoying the magnificent panorama of natural and artificial scenery, making it a great spot for photography.

*Kirosan Observation Park 487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari Car: From Honshu, about 15 minutes from Oshima Kita IC From Ehime Prefecture, about 10 minutes from Oshima Minami IC 🕰️Opening hours: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Kirosan Observation Park, at an altitude of 301.1m, is located at the southern tip of Oshima and is designated as part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park😊 The panoramic observation bridge, known for its design by Kengo Kuma, is designed to be walkable, and stylish wooden stairs welcome you✨ This exhibition From the observation deck, you can see the world's first triple suspension bridge, the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, the tidal currents of the Kurushima Strait, one of Japan's three fastest tides, and on a clear day, the highest peak in western Japan, Mt. Ishizuchi☺️ You should also check out the regular illuminations of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge and the night view of Imabari city😊 In 2017, the Kurushima Strait as seen from the summit of Mt. Kiro was selected as one of the 88 scenic views of Shikoku✨ The seaweed salt gelato you can eat at the shop in the parking lot is also delicious and recommended🥰 #domestictrip #Ehime #ShimanamiKaido #KirosanObservatory #KurushimaKaikyoBridge #observatory #greatview #greatviewspot #travelwithme

📍Kiroyama Observatory The Oyama Observatory is a popular scenic spot on the Shimanami Kaido at the southern end of Oshima. It is located at an altitude of 301.1m and is designated as part of the Setonaikai National Park. This observation deck was designed by the famous architect Kengo Kuma! ︎ From the panoramic observation bridge, you can see the world's first triple suspension bridge "Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge", the tidal current of "Kurushima Kaikyo", one of Japan's three fastest tides, and on a clear day, "Mt. Ishizuchi", the highest peak in western Japan 🥹🌥️ No matter how many times I come here, it's my favorite spot that I'm always impressed by 🤍 If you're driving on the Shimanami Kaido, be sure to stop by 🚗 　 📍Location: 487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime Prefecture 🕰️Opening hours: Free entry 24 hours a day 💰Price per person: Free #Kirosan Observatory #Kirosan Observatory Park #Shimanami Kaido #Domestic trip

This is a popular tourist spot on Oshima Island on the Shimanami Kaido. You can enjoy a spectacular view from a 307m high platform. It's open 24 hours a day, so you can visit at any time, but please be careful when heading there as you will have to go through a narrow mountain road with no streetlights. Visiting period: Mid-June 2024 ୨୧――――――――――――――――――୨୧ information Facility name📍Kirosan Observation Park Address📍487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime Access📍 Nishiseto Onomichi IC → Setouchi Shimanami Kaido, about 60 minutes → Oshima Kita IC → about 15 minutes → Destination Imabari IC → about 10 minutes → Oshima Minami IC → about 10 minutes → Destination Parking📍Available (18 regular cars, 6 large cars)・Free Opening hours📍24 hours ୨୧――――――――――――――――――୨୧ #Girls trip #Adult girls trip #Couple trip #Domestic travel #japan #Shikoku tourism #Kirosan Observation Deck #Shimanami Kaido #Oshima

This time, I will introduce the observation deck that I visited when I went to the Shimanami Kaido 🙌🏻 This observation deck was designed by the famous architect Kengo Kuma, and it was a very stylish building! It won second place in Trip Advisor's "Travelers' Choice! Japan's Observation Spot Ranking 2017" ✨ It is located on Oshima Island on the Shimanami Kaido and is known for being designed by Kengo Kuma. You can see the beautiful view of the Shimanami Kaido from the bridge! 📍Kirosan Observatory Park Address: 487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari City Access: Oshima Kita IC → About 15 minutes Cost: Free Opening hours: 24 hours / Open all year round Thank you for reading to the end 🙆♀️ I plan to post domestic and international travel information and recommended spots, so please follow and like if you like! #Travel with me #Kirosan Observatory #Shimanami Kaido #Shikoku Trip

📍Kirosan Observation Park, Ehime A spectacular observation deck where you can see the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, which connects Oshima on the Shimanami Kaido to Shikoku💫 This park is located on Mount Kiro, which is 307.8m above sea level, and is a futuristic observation deck with a 360-degree view designed by architect Kengo Kuma＊ When I went there in the evening, it was just the right time for a beautiful magic hour🌅 Everyone was so engrossed in the sunset that the observation deck on the other side looked like it would be deserted in an instant, so I hurried over to take the first photo📷 (fifth photo from the back) Isn't the view on this side also amazing? 🤍 (It's a popular spot, so I didn't think I'd be able to take such a private shot🥺✨Happy) A spectacular observation deck with a 360-degree view where you can enjoy different views♡I recommend it🫶 I was unsure of how many stairs to include, so I took two patterns. lol Add excitement to your everyday life:🌙 📮487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime Prefecture🕙24-hour free entry, open all year round👛Free🅿️Available (18 regular cars, 6 large cars)・Free🚗Approximately 10 minutes by car from Oshima Minami IC on the Shimanami KaidoApproximately 20 minutes by car from Oshima Kita IC #Sakura2024 #Ehime #EhimeTrip #EhimeTourism #BeautifulSights

The Seto Inland Sea is so beautiful~ This is my first time traveling by bike in Japan. It's a very special experience. Starting from Ehime Imabari, Riding on the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, Blowing sea breeze, Looking at the islands along the way that have already turned into autumn colors. If you are lucky, you can go out to sea and see the strait rapids and whirlpools. Go to Omishima to see the historic Oyama Shrine and ancient trees. Then choose a favorite beach and have a snapper burger and coffee. This is a pleasant and relaxing way to travel. It's the freedom I like. Let's watch the sunset at the top of Guilao Mountain. When the sun slowly falls into the sea, time becomes gentle. 🌟 Fun points: 1⃣️The Seto Inland Sea is located between Honshu and Shikoku in Japan. It is named because it is located within the straits. There are three large islands, Oshima, Hakatajima, and Omishima, and countless small islands. Connected by various strait bridges, you can enjoy various scenery along the way. The best way to experience this place is by cycling. You can rent a bicycle from Imabari and start island hopping. The route is not difficult to ride, and when the weather is good, the scenery is beautiful, the climate is comfortable, and it is very pleasant. There were a lot of people riding on the road, and everyone greeted each other, which was very fun. There are many places to stop along the way. If you want to play the whole way, you can stay on the island. It is very convenient to eat and the scenery is beautiful. 2⃣️Oyamoto Shrine, the head shrine of Yamamoto Shrine and Mishima Shrine in Japan. During the Heian period, the imperial court bestowed the title of "General Guardian of Japan" on him. The museum houses eight national treasures and 75 important cultural properties of military equipment. At the same time, because there are so many national treasures and important cultural properties here, Omishima Island where the Oyama Shrine is located is known as the "National Treasure Island". The camphor trees that line the grounds are as old as 2,600 years old and were designated as a national natural monument of Japan in 1951 as the "Oyamaji Shrine Camphor Trees." You can walk to the old tree behind the shrine. There is a hole you can crawl through. You can also eat the oranges grown by the old man here. They are delicious. 3⃣️Strait Rapids Whirlpool The whirlpools here are really magical, they can be big or small and are very exciting. However, when you take a boat out, the boat owner will look for them everywhere for you to see. If there are rapids in the inner or outer sea, forming a great impact, a whirlpool will be formed. 4⃣️Sunset at Guilao Mountain The Kameyama Observation Deck on Oshima Island is the best place to view the entire Seto Inland Sea and the most beautiful place to watch the sunset. Come here to watch a sunset over the bay without any regrets. The entire observation deck is also an artistic design.

In Japan, almost every mountain has an observatory where you can shoot the sunset. Japanese people seem to be obsessed with the sunset, and so am I. After watching the whirlpool on the tide-watching boat in the afternoon, we went straight to the Kamegamori Mountain Observatory to wait for the sunset. The Kamegamori Mountain Observatory is located at the top of Kamegamori Mountain at the southern end of Oshima, with an altitude of 307.8 meters. The design of the observatory is ingenious, with the lower half buried underground, perfectly integrated with the landscape, where you can enjoy the world's first triple suspension bridge - the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, and also overlook the Ishizuchi Mountain. In order not to disturb the experience of tourists, many scenic spots and observatories in Japan do not allow the use of tripods for shooting, but the Kamegamori Mountain Observatory does, and there are few tourists in this season. Arriving 30 minutes before sunset, you can occupy the best shooting position. In winter, the sun sets in the west and south at about 25 degrees, and you can see the sun slowly sinking into the sea. You need to use a wide angle to frame the sunset and the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge together; in summer, the sun sets in the west and north at about 25 degrees, and the sun crosses the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge and sinks into the sea. You can use a medium telephoto to highlight the 'interaction' between the sunset and the bridge. Shooting a time-lapse of the sunset from day to night can fully record this wonderful moment. The Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge connects the scattered islands in the distance, the sunset glow reddens the skyline, and the last touch of red leaves in late autumn is still stubborn. The sun gradually sinks into the sea, the sky gradually darkens, the Seto Inland Sea is calm and beautiful, what a healing moment! Looking forward to the next visit to Ehime, not alone to enjoy the sunset, I hope to have the company of my family, to feel the warm and peaceful Ehime together.

In Imabari, there are many places that will lend you a bicycle for free if you reserve a hotel. If you don't need an electric bicycle, you can save money by renting one from the hotel. As of 2023, an electric bicycle costs 4,000 yen for 6 hours. A regular bicycle costs 2,000-3,000 yen. It's very expensive. Even if you rent an electric bicycle, it's still difficult because there aren't enough batteries. However, if you climb up the Kirosan Observatory, you'll understand why it was so hard. It's a shame that the photos don't convey the emotion enough, but it's different when you see it in person. I recommend going at sunset. If it's too late, ask a local to help you get a ride. Most people are kind.

Viewing towers everywhere around the world are often quite similar in design and purpose. They allows us to look at a place from a distance or from somewhere high in the sky. In almost all cases, we are only interested in admiring the distant sight and not the observation tower itself. However in my recent trip driving through the Seto Inland Sea, we stopped at an observation tower that is unlike most others. It is located on Kirosan Park 龜老山 on Oshima Island - one of the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea and is closest to Shikoku. It is also designed by one of the most well known Japanese architect today - Kengo Kuma- in 1994. The viewing park is about 10 minutes drive uphill from the nearest highway exit. Once you get to the top of the hill, the road becomes quite narrow. There are two parking lots and the one at the top can allow for about 10 cars to park. There is also a small shop selling drinks and souvenirs. The signs would then direct visitors to walk up the viewing deck which is on the left side. The walk is about 5 minutes up a few flights of stairs that looked almost like a contemporary art museum. At this point, we saw many visitors simply posing on the staircase instead of going to the top for the scenic view. why? because it just looked so cool! The view from the top is of course spectacular. It has a panoramic view of the Seto Sea , but most importantly it has a view of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge - which consists of 3 successive suspension bridges, and was the world’s longest suspension bridge ( total length of 4015 meters) when completed in 1999. The bridge connects Oshima and Shikoku. We were lucky to have visited on a clear day, and it was so easy to see the bridge and the beautiful surrounding scenery. Many visitors also stood at the top deck to have their photos taken - they all appeared to be standing in the sky! I would highly recommend to stop by the Kirosan Park Observatory to enjoy nature and architecture at the same time! There is no fee to visit nor for parking, and it is opened 24 hours daily. #we-create #japan #architecture #kengokuma #shikoku #setoinlandsea

I went to Kirosan Observation Park, where you can see the Seto Inland Sea! I thought it was an interesting design that was different from the usual observation decks, and it turned out to be a building designed by Kengo Kuma! I never thought I would come across a Kengo Kuma work in a place like this✨ It seemed like most people were there by car, but there were also people cycling around the Seto Inland Sea! It was quite a mountain path, so I thought it would be difficult for me, but it seems like it would be a good challenge for those who are confident in their physical strength🙆 From the observation deck, you can see the beautiful Oshima Island and Ikuchijima Island in the Seto Inland Sea, as well as the bridges that span them👀 There is also a telescope, so it's fun to look through it~ Admission is free, so if you come to the Seto Inland Sea, be sure to stop by! 📍Kirosan Observatory Park 487-4 Minamiura, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime 794-2115 Thank you for reading to the end🙆‍♀️ I plan to post domestic and international travel information and recommended spots, so please follow and like if you like! I also started Instagram✨I've just started, but I plan to post a lot from now on, so please follow me there too if you like!! → @nao___daily #Domestic travel #Seto Inland Sea #Kirosan Observatory #Ikuchijima #Amazing view

#QuintessaCampaign At Kirosan Observation Park, you can cross the Shimanami Kaido, which runs from Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and is located on Oshima Island in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. 😊 This is a highly recommended spot to look out over the Shimanami Kaido, which crosses the bridges that connect the islands from Honshu to Shikoku! ️ #BreathtakingView #CoupleTrip #WesternJapan #EhimePrefecture #HiroshimaPrefecture #ShimanamiKaido