The more you ride, the more you begin to understand the culture rooted in a place and the depth of its character. That is true almost anywhere in the world. Yet somehow, Ehime Prefecture has a way of making you feel that it might be something special.Over the course of seven days, Australian cyclists repeatedly expressed their amazement at the roads that traverse every corner of the landscape—from the wave-lapped coastline to mountain ranges rising more than 1,500 meters above sea level.Here is the final installment of the Cycling Monitor Tour 2025, presented by photographer and cyclist Eigo Shimojo. Text & Photos by Eigo Shimojo You can read Article #01 and 02 here.🚴‍♂️Ehime Prefecture […]

Last autumn, a group of Australian cyclists arrived in Ehime Prefecture—globally renowned as a cycling mecca. The participants, active in their respective fields as media professionals, travel industry staff, and influencers, all share a deep love of cycling and the outdoors in their daily lives. Throughout the journey, they repeatedly exclaimed “Amazing!” at Ehime’s cycling environment.Here is the second installment of this six-night, seven-day monitor tour, brought to you in an accompanying report by photographer—and fellow cyclist—Eigo Shimojo.Having ridden Tour de France routes and the mountainous terrain of Italy, what unique appeal did they discover in this region? Text & Photos by […]

On a crisp autumn day, a group of foreign cyclists arrived at Matsuyama Airport, each carrying a bike bag over their shoulder. They had come from Australia’s major cities—Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane—representing a diverse mix of media professionals, travel agency staff, and influencers. All had been invited to take part in Ehime’s now-annual press tour circling the prefecture. A glance at the itinerary revealed just how ambitious this year’s program would be. Alongside classics such as the Shimanami Kaido and the legendary UFO Line, the route included a major climb through the dramatic landscapes of the Shikoku Karst, a coastal ride along the rias shoreline of Nanyo, a tour of Cape Sada, and […]

*Check out Race Report #01 & #02 here.https://globalride.jp/trip-travel/ehimemonitortour24_01_en/https://globalride.jp/trip-travel/ehimemonitortour24_02_en/ Table of Contents 　1. Touring the Fishing Villages and Capes of Southern Ehime (Uwajima City)　2. Our Everyday Lives Become Someone’s Entertainment (Uwajima City – Matsuyama City) Already, the Ehime tour has reached its fifth morning. As we enjoy a homemade Japanese breakfast at Kokuriko, the cozy rural dormitory that has hosted us for the past two days in Uchiko, our conversation with the owners, spoken in the gentle lilt of the Ehime dialect, is just beginning to reach full bloom… Yet, it’s already time to say goodbye. Parting […]

Check out Race Report #01 here.https://globalride.jp/trip-travel/ehimemonitortour24_01_en/ Table of Contents 　1. ITOMACHI HOTEL0（Saijo City）　2. Ishizuchi Mountain’s UFO Line (Saijo City, Kumakogen Town)　3. Ozu Washi and Ukai Houseboat Cruise (Uchiko Town, Ozu City) 1. ITOMACHI HOTEL0（Saijo City） On the morning of the third day, refreshing light streamed into the hotel room, promising a good start to the day. Glimpses of the long-awaited blue sky through the window made waking up even better. The “ITOMACH HOTEL0 (Zero),” which opened in 2023 in Saijo City, is an eco-friendly complex hotel committed to low environmental impact through zero-energy operations. It features a sty […]

In mid-November, a group of international cyclists arrived at Matsuyama Airport, each carrying a bike travel bag. Invited by Ehime Prefecture to participate in a week-long cycling monitor tour aimed at promoting international cycle tourism, the group consisted of professional-level cyclists, including representatives from bicycle-focused travel agencies and media from North America and Australia.Over the course of seven days, we rode together around Ehime, documenting the experience in detail. This three-part series will provide a comprehensive account of the action-packed journey. What exactly does an international cycling monitor tour, a rarity in Japan, entail? Stay tuned to find out! Tex […]