- Bull sumo (牛相撲, ushizumō) (On festival days, free shuttle buses to/from the station). tournaments held in January, April, July, August, and October; matches start at noon and take around 3 hours. It is Uwajima's main claim to fame. Two bulls decked out with holy ropes grapple each other by the horns and attempt to push each other out of a sumo ring. This is no modern gimmick, but an age-old tradition solemnly officiated by the same priests who run human sumo tournaments. Tickets: ¥3000. Buy in advance if possible. (updated Dec 2016)
- Warei Festival (和霊大祭, warei taisai). held July 22-24. This annual festival features not only bull sumo but a series of parades featuring Uwajima's symbol: the black-bearded and red-robed bull demon (牛鬼 ushioni). Book accommodation early if in town during festival time. (updated Dec 2016)
Uwajima travel guide
Plan a trip to Uwajima, Japan — things to do, where to stay, food, transport, and local tips. Start with Taga Shrine, Uwajima Castle, Warei Shrine, Uwajima City Historical Museum.
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Stays in Uwajima
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Compare hotels and apartments in Uwajima — neighbourhood vibe, price, and walkability in one search.
- Stay near a metro line if you plan museum-hopping days.
- Read recent reviews for noise — central streets can be loud at night.
- Flexible cancellation helps when flight times shift.
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Flights in Uwajima
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Find flights into Uwajima and compare fares across airlines in one place.
- Compare nearby airports — sometimes a short train ride beats a pricey hub.
- Midweek departures are often cheaper than Friday/Sunday peaks.
- Set a flexible ±3 day search when your dates can move.
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Experiences in Uwajima
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Tours, food walks, day trips and city activities around Uwajima — book ahead and skip the guesswork.
- Book popular tours early in peak season — small-group slots go first.
- Day trips often include hotel pickup; check the meeting point.
- Look for free-cancellation options if the weather looks unstable.
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Tickets in Uwajima
Tiqets
Skip lines and grab attraction tickets for Uwajima — museums, landmarks, and city passes.
- Book popular museums and towers ahead — timed slots sell out on weekends.
- Mobile tickets are usually scanned at the gate; keep offline screenshots as backup.
- Combo passes can be cheaper when you plan 2–3 big sights in one day.
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Transfers in Uwajima
Kiwitaxi
Private airport and city transfers for Uwajima — fixed price, driver waiting for you.
- Pre-book airport transfers when landing late or with heavy luggage.
- Meet-and-greet at arrivals beats hunting taxis after a long flight.
- Confirm child seats / extra stops when you reserve.
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Cars in Uwajima
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Rent a car around Uwajima for day trips and countryside — flexible pickup options.
- Compare full-to-full fuel policies — they save hassle at return.
- Check congestion / limited-traffic zones before driving into historic centres.
- Book early for weekends and holidays; automatic cars go first.
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eSIM in Uwajima
Yesim
Travel eSIM data for visiting Uwajima — online as soon as you land, no kiosk queues.
- Install the eSIM before you fly; activate on landing.
- Confirm your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible.
- Keep a small local SIM as backup if you need a local number for calls.