When you google “Imabari”, you will probably find out that the most outstanding recalls about Imabari-shi are shipbuilding and towel manufacturing. These industries became recognized simply because of its geography. Imabari-shi is located at the Seto Inland Sea of Japan, where maritime culture is implanted into the daily life from the beginning of modernism. Naturally, Imabari-shi has developed its maritime connection from shipbuilding to trade port.
Areas around Osaka and Nagoya are better in growing cotton, but the quality is the best. Basically, during Meiji Restoration (1868-1912), cotton is tended to be imported. With a longer history of cotton growing, Osaka is the largest centre of weaving industrial. Continue reading →