Ehime Shopping Spots | Malls, Arcades & Where to Buy Souvenirs

In between busy Ehime sightseeing trips, it can be fun to spend a relaxing day shopping for souvenirs to take home to friends and family. The best Ehime shopping destinations include malls and department stores selling premium designer goods to lively shopping arcades that offer handmade wares. Most are open daily and are close to public transportation stations for easy access. Browse to discover some of the best places to shop in Ehime and the top souvenirs to buy.

Emiful MASAKI

Emiful MASAKI is an incredible shopping complex that tourists should make time to visit. Located in Masaki, southwest of Matsuyama, this mall features more than 200 shops and is bright, clean and modern. Some of the shopping options include fashion boutiques, jewelry and watch stores, and stores that sell home goods. Tourists also can stop for a haircut or a spa treatment at one of the many shops offering quality beauty services or see a movie at Cinema Sunshine. After a long day of shopping, relax at the Emiful MASAKI food court or browse through the Fuji Grand Supermarket for fresh food, snacks, personal care products and other household goods.

Hours: Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (opening and closing hours for individual stores may vary.)

Public Transportation: Koizumi Station (Gunchu Line) is located about five minutes away on foot.

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Okaido Shopping Arcade

Matsuyama‘s largest shopping arcade is the Okaido Shopping Arcade, a popular covered shopping street frequented by locals and tourists alike. Since it is fully covered, visitors will have full protection from the sun or inclement weather and can shop and explore during any season. The shopping street is lined with shops and vendors selling snacks, traditional souvenirs, clothing, and much more. There also are plenty of restaurants and cafes where tourists can grab a quick bite to eat to refuel for more shopping.

Every Saturday from late June to early August, the Okaido Shopping Arcade hosts the Doyo Yoichi Summer Festival (also known as the Saturday Night Market). The event runs daily from around 1:00 p.m. to around 9:00 p.m. During the festival, many vendors sell their goods at sale prices. There’s also dancing, singing, and entertainment along the street.

Hours: Open daily. Hours vary by shop.

Public Transportation: Okaido Station, which is located right outside of the entrance to the Okaido Shopping Arcade, can be reached by several tram and bus lines.

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Gintengai Shopping Arcade

Another top shopping arcade in Matsuyama is the Gintengai Shopping Arcade, a fully covered, lively street. Since the eastern side of this street borders the Okaido Shopping Arcade, tourists may consider exploring both spaces on the same day. The Gintengai Shopping Arcade offers a wide selection of shopping opportunities, with shops selling clothing, souvenirs, cosmetics, food and drink and more. It’s a great place to go for a stroll and watch locals at work or mingle with other tourists. The Gintengai Shopping Arcade also hosts the Doyo Yoichi Summer Festival every year from June to August.

Hours: Open daily. Hours vary by shop.

Public Transportation: Matsuyama City Station (on several rail, tram and bus lines) is located within walking distance.

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Iyotetsu Takashimaya

Iyotetsu Takashimaya is a Matsuyama department store that’s definitely worth a visit during any Ehime shopping trip. The first floor features several Japanese and foreign makeup stores, luxury clothing stores, and other glamorous boutiques. The upper floors offer everything from luxury home goods to books, toys, furniture, and electronics, plus a few restaurants and cafes.

The rooftop Ferris wheel (called “Kururin“) is the real star of Iyotetsu Takashimaya and is a Matsuyama sightseeing must. It costs between 700 to 1,000 yen to ride and takes about 15 minutes to complete a rotation. The ride offers breathtaking views of Matsuyama and is well worth a wait in line to ride during the day or at night when the wheel and city are lit up.

Hours: Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Ferris wheel and some restaurants stay open later.

Public Transportation: Matsuyama City Station (on several rail, tram and bus lines) is located right outside.

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Matsuyama Mitsukoshi

Another popular Ehime department store is Matsuyama Mitsukoshi, located near the north end of Okaido Shopping Arcade in Matsuyama. This bright and lively store features an underground food court and eight above-ground floors filled with shops. There’s also an art gallery and a full supermarket that sells produce, snacks, alcohol, freshly baked treats, clothing and more. The department store is also directly connected to ANA Hotel Matsuyama via a covered pedestrian passageway, making it incredibly easy for hotel guests to access.

Hours: Open Thursday to Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; closed temporarily on Wednesdays during a construction period (expected to reopen in Autumn 2021).

Public Transportation: Okaido Station (on several tram and bus lines) is located within walking distance.

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Matsuyama Ropeway Shopping Street (Ropeway Gai)

For tourists looking for unique Japanese souvenirs to take home, there’s no better Ehime shopping destination than Matsuyama Ropeway Shopping Street (or Ropeway Gai). This street is home to dozens of independent vendors selling confectionaries, fresh flowers, clothing, pottery, used books, antiques, wood carvings and much more. There also are several banners hanging from street lamps printed with special, uplifting phrases selected by the residents of Matsuyama to add character.

The ropeway name was chosen due to the shopping street’s proximity to the cable car station that transports passengers to Matsuyama Castle. This castle is located on a mountain and is one of the city’s top tourist spots. Take the Matsuyama Castle chair lift up to explore this historic landmark. Ropeway Gai also is close to a number of other popular attractions, including the birthplace of the Akiyama Brothers (brothers who served in the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy) and Matsuyama Shiroyama Park.

Hours: Open daily. Hours vary by shop.

Public Transportation: Okaido Station (on several tram and bus lines) is located within walking distance.

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Dogo Onsen Shotengai Shopping Arcade

Experience the best that Ehime has to offer at Dogo Onsen Shotengai Shopping Arcade, a covered shopping street located just east of central Matsuyama. There are about 60 shops to explore, many of which offer a variety of traditional souvenirs. Small restaurants and cafes also are available. The shopping arcade and immediate area are picturesque, so be sure to take a camera!

After a long day of shopping, tourists can head over to Dogo Onsen Honkan, a famous hot spring beloved by tourists and locals. This bathhouse is located right outside the shopping street entrance and features several hot, relaxing baths and lounging areas for guests to enjoy. Coin lockers also are available to store personal belongings and any souvenirs that were purchased at the shopping arcade.

Hours: Open daily. Hours vary by shop.

Public Transportation: Dogo Onsen Station, which connects to several tram lines, is located about four minutes away on foot.

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Unique Ehime Souvenirs

While exploring these incredible Japanese malls, shopping arcades and department stores, tourists are sure to be searching for some fun Ehime souvenirs. These four items are unique to the Ehime region and will reflect a successful trip to Japan.

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1. Iyokan and Japanese Citrus Treats

Ehime is well known for growing iyokan, a Japanese citrus fruit. The fruits are slightly sourer than an orange but sweeter than a typical grapefruit. This fresh blend of sweet and sour is used to flavor a variety of candies, chocolates, baked goods, fruit juices, cocktail syrups, and other similar products. While in Ehime, be sure to try a fresh iyokan, and pick up some iyokan-flavored treats for friends and family back home.

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2. Imabari Towels

An Imabari towel is a souvenir that’s as practical as it is thoughtful. These linens are produced in Imabari from premium cotton. They’re incredibly soft and absorbent and come in stunning color options that stay vibrant after many washes. Visitors can purchase official Imabari towels from several stores in Imabari or at Matsuyama Airport.

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3. Ehime Tarts

Japan is home to many irresistible desserts. In Ehime, one of the most popular confections is known as the Ehime tart. This rolled sponge cake is typically filled with sweet bean paste and finished with a hint of yuzu (a yellow citrus fruit). Some also include a chestnut center. These cakes make a great gift to take home and enjoy with some Japanese green tea.

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4. Tobe Ware (white porcelain)

In the small town of Tobe blue and white porcelain items are handcrafted and painted by skilled artisans. Some of the items that are created include sake bottles, vases, plates, and bowls. Take a day trip from Matsuyama to Tobe in the spring or fall to experience the biannual Tobe Ware Festival and find some incredible handcrafted pieces that make great Ehime souvenirs.

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Discover hotels & resorts in Ehime

Hotel Katsuyama Premier

Business Hotel Sun Garden Matsuyama

Hotel Villa Dogo