Major city · Japan
Niihama新居浜
Half a day to one day: the Taiko Festival in October, otherwise a quiet stop on the Shikoku rail loop. Not a base.
Niihama is a mid-sized industrial city on the Shikoku coast, best known for the Niihama Taiko Festival (16–18 Oct) when 47 drum floats parade the streets. Outside festival dates the city is calm, with a few parks and shrines. Most travellers pass through on the JR Yosan Line between Matsuyama and Takamatsu.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week
- Airports
- MYJ · TAK
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Niihama110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Niihama, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMYJ Matsuyama Airport (About 1 h 15 min by limited express from Matsuyama Station; then change to JR Yosan Line.).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre; local buses cover the outskirts.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealRamen bowl¥700–1,000 (≈ US$5–7)
- BeerBeer (can at konbini)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi 3 km (1.9 mi)Taxi 1.9 mi (3 km)¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14)
- Budget bedBusiness hotel double room, a night, per room¥7,000 (≈ US$50)
- Mid-range bedBusiness hotel double room, a night, per room¥10,000 (≈ US$70)
- High-end bedBusiness hotel double room, a night, per room¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥7,000 (≈ US$50) · Mid ¥12,000 (≈ US$85) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MYJ Matsuyama Airport (About 1 h 15 min by limited express from Matsuyama Station; then change to JR Yosan Line.) · TAK Takamatsu Airport (About 1 h 30 min by bus and JR.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Niihama: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable centre; local buses cover the outskirts. Taxis available at the station.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
JR Yosan Line, about 10 min
Sake breweries and the Shusshakaji temple complex.
Shikokuchuo
goDoor to door: About 35 min
JR Yosan Line, about 15 min
Kotohiki Park and the old town.
Door to door: About 1 h
JR Yosan Line, about 30 min
Imabari Castle and the Shimanami Kaido cycling route.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Niihama Station area
Closest to the station; Toyoko Inn and a few business hotels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥7,000–10,000 (≈ US$50–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥10,000–15,000 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥15,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business hotel single room1 × 1 night × ¥7,000 | ¥7,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ¥12,000 | ¥12,000 |
| JR Yosan Line Niihama–Matsuyama (one way, limited express)1 × ¥2,500 · check | ¥2,500 |
| Local bus ride1 × ¥200 | ¥200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥2,170 |
| Trip total≈ ¥23,870 per person per day, bed included | ¥23,870≈ US$170 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Ramen bowl | ¥700–1,000 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Beer (can at konbini) | ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi 3 km | ¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14) |
| JR Yosan Line Niihama–Matsuyama (limited express) | ¥2,500 (≈ US$17) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taiko Festival dates (16–18 Oct) fill hotels months ahead; book early.
- Most shops and restaurants close by 20:00 outside the festival.Most shops and restaurants close by 8:00 PM outside the festival.
- English signage is limited; have a translation app ready.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Niihama新居浜
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
The US consulate in Osaka covers Shikoku; most other countries have embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Niihama Station → Matsuyama (limited express): about ¥2,500 (≈ US$17), about 1 h (check)
- Niihama Station → Saijo (local): about ¥300 (≈ US$3), about 10 min
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- 駅はどこですか？ — Where is the station? (eki wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Niihama. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Taiko Festival page with parade route, schedule and ticket info.
- Place pages for the main shrines and parks.
- Eat pages for local specialities: taimeshi, jakoten.
Sources
Ask about Niihama
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