Imabari Towels — Premium Cotton Textile Heritage

Published: Jun 3, 2026

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Imabari towelscotton textilestraditional craftssoft watermanufacturing

Imabari Towels — Premium Cotton Textile Heritage

Imabari Towels — Premium Cotton Textile Heritage 2

Imabari produces approximately 60% of Japan's towels, a textile industry dating to 1894 when the region's soft water (from the Takahashi River) proved ideal for dyeing cotton. Imabari towels are known for exceptional softness, absorbency, and durability — the official quality test requires a towel piece to sink in water within 5 seconds, demonstrating absorbency without synthetic softeners.

The Imabari Towel Museum showcases the manufacturing process, towel art installations, and a vast retail space selling towels from dozens of local brands (¥500–10,000 range).

Opening Hours

Imabari Towel Museum: 10:00–18:00. Café and retail open to non-museum visitors.

Closed: Open daily. Check museum website for occasional special closure days.

Entrance Fee

Museum entry ¥1,000. Café and retail shop: free entry (no museum ticket required).

Best Season

Year-round. Indoor attraction unaffected by weather. Weekday visits avoid tour bus crowds.

Visit Duration

60–90 minutes for full museum and shopping. Allow extra time to browse retail floor across multiple brands and price points.

Getting There

Access Information

Imabari Towel Museum (今治タオル美術館), 2930 Asahi, Imabari. 20-min bus from Imabari Station. Entry: ¥1,000. Hours: 10:00–18:00. Café and retail open to non-museum visitors (free).

Insider Guide

Premium

**Museum highlights:** The main attraction is a 20-meter-long mural woven from colored towel threads depicting a European village scene — the textile artistry is remarkable. The manufacturing floor (v