Ships dock at Sakashizu No.2 Wharf on the east side of Uwajima Bay. The city center and main sights are about 2 km away.
💡 Pro move: English signage is limited but maps from the port and tourist info boards help. Google Maps works well offline.
Cruise ships berth at Sakashizu No.2 Wharf, a dedicated pier on the southern edge of Uwajima Bay.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Ponant, Silversea, expedition ships | Sakashizu No.2 Wharf📍 | Docked |
| Larger cruise ships (rare calls) | Sakashizu No.2 Wharf📍 | Docked |
Uwajima packs a surprising range into a small city — a genuine original castle, living pearl culture, a unique shrine, and traditional bullfighting unlike anything else in Japan.
One of only 12 original (unrestored) castles remaining in Japan, built in 1596 by Todo Takatora. The compact three-story keep houses samurai artifacts and delivers sweeping views over the Uwa Sea. The climb through the forested hill is half the charm.
Find Uwajima Castle tours →Uwajima is one of a handful of places in Japan where bull sumo (bull-vs-bull, no matador) has been practiced for 400 years. Matches are held several times a year; some tour operators offer backstage access to meet the bulls and their handlers.
Find Uwajima bullfighting tours →The nutrient-rich Uwa Sea makes Uwajima one of Japan's premier pearl-cultivation regions. Visit a pearl farm to see the grafting process and harvest, or browse pearl shops in town for competitively priced Akoya pearls direct from producers.
Find pearl farm tours Uwajima →The Date Museum, near the castle, displays 13 generations of samurai swords, armor, and clan relics from the ruling Date family. Next door, Tensha-en Garden (1866) is an intimate landscape garden built by the 7th Date lord, famous for bamboo varieties and seasonal blooms.
Find Uwajima cultural tours →Uwajima's principal Shinto shrine sits at the mouth of the Seki River, guarded by dramatic Otafuku and Hanadaka masks at the Zuishinmon gate. A taiko drum bridge arches over the inner pond. The shrine is central to the city's Ushi-oni Festival each late July (July 22-24).
Find Warei Shrine guided tours →Tiered rice paddies cascade down steep hillsides to the edge of the Uwa Sea — one of Shikoku's most photogenic rural landscapes. Reached by a 35-minute ferry from Uwajima Port or by car; best as a half-day excursion.
Find Uwajima countryside tours →The city center is compact and easy to cover on foot, with the castle hill and shrine forming a natural circuit.
From the pier, walk or taxi to Uwajima Castle park entrance, climb to the keep, then descend and follow the riverfront south to Warei Shrine. Return along Nishi-machi shopping street to pick up pearls or jakoten fish cakes.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →A shorter cultural loop from city center: browse pearl shops on the main shopping arcade, visit the Date Museum, then walk through Tensha-en Garden before heading back to the pier.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Uwajima, Ehime, Japan (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 53°F / 12°C | 39°F / 4°C | 1 | 7:13 AM | 5:24 PM |
| Feb | 54°F / 12°C | 39°F / 4°C | 1 | 6:53 AM | 5:54 PM |
| Mar | 63°F / 17°C | 47°F / 8°C | 1 | 6:20 AM | 6:17 PM |
| Apr | 70°F / 21°C | 53°F / 12°C | 1 | 5:40 AM | 6:39 PM |
| May | 76°F / 24°C | 60°F / 16°C | 2 | 5:10 AM | 7:02 PM |
| Jun | 80°F / 27°C | 69°F / 21°C | 3 | 5:00 AM | 7:20 PM |
| Jul | 88°F / 31°C | 76°F / 24°C | 3 | 5:11 AM | 7:19 PM |
| Aug | 90°F / 32°C | 77°F / 25°C | 2 | 5:32 AM | 6:55 PM |
| Sep | 85°F / 29°C | 73°F / 23°C | 2 | 5:53 AM | 6:16 PM |
| Oct | 76°F / 24°C | 60°F / 16°C | 1 | 6:14 AM | 5:36 PM |
| Nov | 68°F / 20°C | 52°F / 11°C | 1 | 6:40 AM | 5:07 PM |
| Dec | 56°F / 13°C | 43°F / 6°C | 1 | 7:05 AM | 5:03 PM |
Source: Meteostat (10-yr monthly averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Taxis are available at the Sakashizu No. 2 Wharf and will take you to Uwajima Station / city center (approx. 3 km) in about 10 minutes. Metered fares; no need to negotiate.
Uwajima Bus operates routes connecting the port area to Uwajima Station and Bus Center near Uwajima Castle. Buses run roughly hourly; check the Uwajima Bus route map.
The port is about 3 km from the city center — a 35–40 minute walk along mostly flat roads. Once at Uwajima Station, the castle, Tenshaen Garden, and shopping streets are all within easy walking distance.
Bike rentals are available through the local tourism office near Uwajima Station. A practical and scenic option for exploring the compact city center and nearby sights.
Upcoming cruises that call at Uwajima, Ehime, Japan. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.