Ainan, Ehime
title: "Ainan, Ehime" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["towns-in-ehime-prefecture", "populated-coastal-places-in-japan", "ainan,-ehime"] topic_path: "geography/japan" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ainan,_Ehime" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Ainan |
| native_name | 愛南町 |
| native_name_lang | ja |
| settlement_type | Town |
| image_skyline | Ainan town hall.JPG |
| image_caption | Ainan Town Hall |
| image_flag | Flag of Ainan, Ehime.svg |
| image_seal | Emblem of Ainan, Ehime.svg |
| seal_type | Emblem |
| mapframe | yes |
| mapframe-zoom | 8 |
| map_caption | Location of Ainan in Ehime Prefecture |
| pushpin_map | Japan |
| pushpin_map_caption | Location in Japan |
| coordinates | |
| coordinates_footnotes | tags -- |
| subdivision_type | Country |
| subdivision_name | Japan |
| subdivision_type1 | Region |
| subdivision_name1 | Shikoku |
| subdivision_type2 | Prefecture |
| subdivision_name2 | Ehime |
| subdivision_type3 | District |
| subdivision_name3 | Minamiuwa |
| established_title | |
| extinct_title | Now part of |
| seat_type | |
| government_footnotes | tags -- |
| leader_title | Mayor |
| leader_name | Masanori Nakamura |
| leader_title1 | Vice Mayor |
| total_type | |
| unit_pref | Metric |
| area_magnitude | |
| area_footnotes | tags -- |
| area_total_km2 | 238.99 |
| elevation_footnotes | tags -- |
| population_footnotes | tags -- |
| population_total | 19733 |
| population_as_of | September 1, 2022 |
| population_density_km2 | auto |
| timezone1 | JST |
| utc_offset1 | +09:00 |
| area_code_type | |
| blank_name_sec1 | City hall address |
| blank_info_sec1 | 2420 Kō, Jōhen, Ainan-chō, Minamiuwa-gun, Ehime-ken 798-4196 |
| website | |
| module | {{Infobox place symbols |
| tree | Quercus phillyraeoides |
| flower | Akebono azalea |
| bird | Japanese white-eye |
| :: |
| name = Ainan | official_name = | native_name = 愛南町 | native_name_lang = ja | settlement_type = Town | other_name = | image_skyline = Ainan town hall.JPG | imagesize = | image_caption = Ainan Town Hall | image_flag = Flag of Ainan, Ehime.svg | image_seal = Emblem of Ainan, Ehime.svg | seal_type = Emblem | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 8 | image_map1 = | map_alt = | map_caption = Location of Ainan in Ehime Prefecture | pushpin_map = Japan | pushpin_relief = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan | coordinates = | coordinates_footnotes = tags -- | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Japan | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Shikoku | subdivision_type2 = Prefecture | subdivision_name2 = Ehime | subdivision_type3 = District | subdivision_name3 = Minamiuwa | established_title = | established_date = | extinct_title = Now part of | extinct_date = | founder = | named_for = | seat_type = | seat = | government_footnotes = tags -- | leader_party = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Masanori Nakamura | leader_title1 = Vice Mayor | leader_name1 = | total_type = | unit_pref = Metric | area_magnitude = | area_footnotes = tags -- | area_total_km2 = 238.99 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_percent = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = tags -- | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = tags -- | population_total = 19733 | population_as_of = September 1, 2022 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | timezone1 = JST | utc_offset1 = +09:00 | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | blank_name_sec1 = City hall address | blank_info_sec1 = 2420 Kō, Jōhen, Ainan-chō, Minamiuwa-gun, Ehime-ken 798-4196 | website = | footnotes = | module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes | tree = Quercus phillyraeoides | flower = Akebono azalea | bird = Japanese white-eye | flowering_tree = | butterfly = | fish = | other_symbols = ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Sotodomari_09.JPG" caption="Stone walls of Sotodomari hamlet"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/SozuRiverInAinanEhime.JPG" caption="A view of the Sozu River in Ainan"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Funakoshi_Nishiumi_Ainan_Ehime.JPG" caption="Nishiumi neighborhood in Ainan"] ::
Ainan is a town in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 19,733 in 10054 households, and a population density of 83 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 238.99 sqkm.
Geography
Ainan is located in far southwestern Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. It faces Utsumi Bay to the west and Sukumo Bay to the south. The mountainous area that occupies most of the town area plunges directly into the sea, creating a complex ria coastline. At the mouth of the Sozu River, which flows in a large arc in the center, there is a small open flatland, where the government office is located. Parts of the town are within the borders of the Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park. Sasayama Mountain is the highest mountain in Ainan (1,064.4 m) which has a rare variety of azaleas blooming on its peak, best seen in late April, early May.
Neighbouring municipalities
Ehime Prefecture
Climate
Ainan has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall. The average annual temperature in Ainan is 16.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1910 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in January, at around 25.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around 6.7 °C. The rainy season runs from June to July. The summer is hot and humid, with infrequent rain showers.
|width=Auto |collapsed = Y |single line = Y |metric first = Y |location = Mishō, Ehime (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present) |Jan record high C = 21.5 |Feb record high C = 22.6 |Mar record high C = 25.0 |Apr record high C = 28.7 |May record high C = 32.7 |Jun record high C = 33.3 |Jul record high C = 37.3 |Aug record high C = 39.0 |Sep record high C = 35.8 |Oct record high C = 32.9 |Nov record high C = 27.0 |Dec record high C = 23.7 |Jan high C = 11.6 |Feb high C = 12.6 |Mar high C = 15.8 |Apr high C = 20.5 |May high C = 24.4 |Jun high C = 26.6 |Jul high C = 30.8 |Aug high C = 32.0 |Sep high C = 29.1 |Oct high C = 24.4 |Nov high C = 19.2 |Dec high C = 13.9 |Jan mean C = 7.3 |Feb mean C = 8.0 |Mar mean C = 10.9 |Apr mean C = 15.4 |May mean C = 19.5 |Jun mean C = 22.6 |Jul mean C = 26.5 |Aug mean C = 27.5 |Sep mean C = 24.4 |Oct mean C = 19.3 |Nov mean C = 14.3 |Dec mean C = 9.4 |Jan low C = 3.1 |Feb low C = 3.3 |Mar low C = 5.9 |Apr low C = 10.2 |May low C = 14.6 |Jun low C = 19.0 |Jul low C = 23.1 |Aug low C = 23.9 |Sep low C = 20.5 |Oct low C = 14.8 |Nov low C = 9.5 |Dec low C = 4.9 |Jan record low C = -3.4 |Feb record low C = -4.5 |Mar record low C = -3.1 |Apr record low C = -0.2 |May record low C = 3.5 |Jun record low C = 10.0 |Jul record low C = 14.8 |Aug record low C = 16.3 |Sep record low C = 10.1 |Oct record low C = 2.6 |Nov record low C = -1.2 |Dec record low C = -3.8 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 69.3 |Feb precipitation mm = 90.8 |Mar precipitation mm = 139.0 |Apr precipitation mm = 151.5 |May precipitation mm = 199.1 |Jun precipitation mm = 318.2 |Jul precipitation mm = 247.6 |Aug precipitation mm = 186.9 |Sep precipitation mm = 228.2 |Oct precipitation mm = 148.2 |Nov precipitation mm = 104.4 |Dec precipitation mm = 80.8 |year precipitation mm = 1963.7 |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm |Jan precipitation days = 8.6 |Feb precipitation days = 8.9 |Mar precipitation days = 11.2 |Apr precipitation days = 9.4 |May precipitation days = 9.4 |Jun precipitation days = 14.0 |Jul precipitation days = 10.9 |Aug precipitation days = 9.7 |Sep precipitation days = 11.1 |Oct precipitation days = 8.0 |Nov precipitation days = 7.9 |Dec precipitation days = 8.3 |Jan sun = 142.9 |Feb sun = 150.7 |Mar sun = 181.0 |Apr sun = 195.5 |May sun = 195.0 |Jun sun = 126.7 |Jul sun = 193.9 |Aug sun = 217.3 |Sep sun = 173.9 |Oct sun = 178.9 |Nov sun = 158.1 |Dec sun = 143.5 |year sun = 2067.5 |source 1 = Japan Meteorological Agency{{cite web | url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_a.php?prec_no=73&block_no=0745&year=&month=&day=&view=h0 |script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値） | publisher = JMA | access-date = March 1, 2022}}{{cite web | url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=73&block_no=0745&year=&month=&day=&view=h0 |script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値） | publisher = JMA | access-date = March 1, 2022}}}}
Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Ainan has decreased steadily since the 1950s.
| 1920 | 32,670 | 1930 | 34,921 | 1940 | 36,472 | 1950 | 49,359 | 1960 | 44,496 | 1970 | 34,672 | 1980 | 33,800 | 1990 | 32,297 | 2000 | 29,311 | 2010 | 24,061 | 2020 | 19,601 |align = none |footnote =
History
The area of Ainan was part of ancient Iyo Province. During the Edo period, the area was part of the holdings of Uwajima Domain ruled by the Date clan from their seat at Uwajima Castle. Seven villages within Minamiuwa were established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889. These were gradually consolidated into the four towns of Jōhen, Mishō, Nishiumi, and Ipponmatsu, and the village of Uchiumi, which merged on October 1, 2004 to form the town of Ainan.
Government
Ainan has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members. Ainan contributes one member to the Ehime Prefectural Assembly.
In terms of national politics, Ainan is part of Ehime 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Prior to 2022, the town was part of Ehime 4th district.
Economy
Ainan's economy is centered on commercial fishing, with agriculture and horticulture player smaller roles. The area was traditionally known for cultured pearls, and oyster farming and fish farming remain important. Ainan is known to produce a variety of products, including bonito, red snapper, yellowtail, oysters, noble scallops, and citrus fruits mikan. The main citrus fruit is Ainan Gold Grapefruit. Industry is less developed due to lack of suitable land and poor transportation infrastructure.
Education
Ainan has 11 public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the town government and one combined elementary/middle school operated jointly with the city of Sukumo. The town has one public high school operated by the Ehime Prefectural Board of Education.
Transportation
Railway
Ainan does not have any passenger railway service. The nearest station in the prefecture is the JR Shikoku Uwajima Station. Another near station is the Sukumo Station of the Tosa Kuroshio Railway in Kōchi Prefecture.
Highways
Sister cities
- ESP Molinaseca, Spain
Local attractions
- Kanjizai-ji - the 40th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage.
- Southern Recreation Facilities Shirobe Park, including Shogenyama Park, Misho Park (Sunpearl, Hotel), Maze Park (Shiden Kai Exhibition Hall, Uwakai Observation Tower)
Festivals
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Ainan-Ehime-AkiMatsuri.jpg" caption="Men carry a ''mikoshi'' during the fall festival]]A variety of festivals are celebrated in Ainan, including Ainan Tairyo [[Matsuri]] in May, Natsu Matsuri (Summer festival), [[Obon]], and Aki Matsuri."] ::
During the Obon festival, Japan's equivalent of All Souls' Day, family members from all over Japan return to their family homes in Ainan to remember the souls of the dead. The festival is celebrated all over town, from the larger parts of Misho to the smallest hamlets in Nishiumi. In the evening, torches and lanterns can be seen along the seashore where the towns are gathering.
Aki Matsuri (fall festival) is a major event for the local people. People gather in many places to watch children perform the Five Deer Dance, or the Karashishi dance. Adults also carry mikoshi and Ushi Oni (a large cow demon float) around town.
References
References
- "Ainan-chō kōshiki hōmu pēji/Goaisatsu". Ainan Town.
- "Ainan-chō kōshiki hōmu pēji/Kurashi no jōhō". Ainan Town.
- "Ainan climate: Average Temperature by month, Ainan water temperature". Climate-Data.org.
- "Ehime (Japan): Cities, Towns and Villages in Prefecture - Population Statistics, Charts and Map". Thomas Brinkhoff.
- (23 October 2024). "Ehime-ken ni okeru Shūgiin giin no senkyoku oyobi teisū - Ehime-kenchō kōshiki hōmu pēji". Ehime Prefectural Office.
- Carro, María. "Molinaseca se hermana con una villa nipona". El Norte de Castilla.
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