Hi, this is Izumitani from the Ehime Film Commission (Ehime FC).
This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the Ehime Film Commission, which was established in 2002!
Regarding filming locations in Ehime, Shimonada Station, an unstaffed station, is probably the most popular—especially among train stations.
Even before Ehime FC was founded, Shimonada Station had already been featured in productions like Seishun 18 Kippu and Tora-san Meets the Lord. Since I joined the commission, the station has appeared in works such as HERO Special Edition, Reverse, and Grace no Rireki, along with numerous commercials and anime productions.
Why is Shimonada Station so popular for filming?
The station is famous for its breathtaking ocean view, often nicknamed “Sea-through” because the sea stretches endlessly beyond the platform. Sitting on the bench and snapping a picture creates a striking blue composition, with the horizon seamlessly blending with the sky and sea.
As its beauty gained recognition, the station became a tourist hotspot, attracting visitors year-round. Even now, we regularly receive filming inquiries for Shimonada Station. These requests are directed to JR Shikoku’s Public Relations Office, which manages filming permissions. The demand was so high that JR Shikoku even gave me a stack of application forms and told me, “Keep these on hand.”
Recently, I learned that JR Shikoku Location Services has officially launched! While I was on a location tour for Teasing Master Takagi-san in Shodoshima, I actually had to leave midway to attend a meeting with JR Shikoku’s planning department.
The Growing Popularity of Filming at Shimonada Station
In 2023 alone, there were 19 filming projects at the station, spanning TV shows, commercials, music videos, and even wedding shoots. And this number is only expected to increase!
With JR Shikoku now acting as the official contact for filming, clear guidelines and fees have been established for shooting at Shimonada Station. This change has made the process safer and more efficient for film crews. Additionally, having staff on-site during shoots ensures better coordination with local residents and stakeholders and makes it easier to handle logistics, such as securing parking for vehicles.
From the Film Commission’s perspective, it’s incredibly rewarding to see filming bringing economic benefits to the local community. Thanks to this structured approach, organizing shoots at Shimonada Station—and even at other JR-owned locations in Ehime—has become much smoother.
This shift also shows how companies and communities are increasingly recognizing the positive impact of filming in their areas.
A Fun Side Note…
Thinking about Shimonada Station reminded me of an old kaiju (monster) movie where a giant creature emerges from the Iyo-Nada Sea and terrifies passengers waiting at the station. It made me wonder—how amazing would it be to work on a film like that someday?
Now that filming fees and guidelines are clearly defined, we at the Film Commission can provide more transparent information to production teams. It’s also great to see stronger relationships forming with those who appreciate the value of filming. Looking forward to seeing what exciting projects will come next at Shimonada Station!