Itoyama Park in Imabari is popular with young couples who enjoy the romance of the expansive views

Itoyama Park in Imabari is popular with young couples who enjoy the romance of the expansive views (Photo: Rod Walters)

Itoyama Park in Imabari

A park with views of the Shimanami Kaido and Inland Sea

Anonymous Feb 27, 2013 - 1 min read

Itoyama Park in Imabari is popular with young couples who enjoy the romance of the expansive views

From the observation deck you can see Mt. Takanawa beyond the ramp up to the Shimanami Kaido highway

The view also includes a number of little islands with fishing ports and shrines

The nature trail isn't much in itself, but you can see birds like this osprey...

... and this little lesser woodpecker

The observation deck on the hill is accessed from several directions

The drain covers in the park feature the warships of the Kono Clan that used to dominate the Inland Sea

Sunrise Itoyama in the park has some great facilities

The reasonably priced restaurant in Sunrise Itoyama has considerable style...

... and an incomparable view

This statue on the lower observation deck has a certain appropriacy

Itoyama Park in Imabari stands on a hill offering a 360-degree view of the Shimanami Kaido, the Seto Inland Sea and Mt. Takanawa. The park is home to a little ‘nature trail’, a couple of observation decks, a hotel and restaurant, and a place to rent bicycles. You can also park here for free.

Anonymous @rod.walters__archived

I was born in Bristol, England, and I came to Japan in 1991 … which means I’ve lived half my life in this island nation on the other side of the world. The theme of my career in Japan has been communication. I started as an English teacher, and moved into translation as I learned Japanese....