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; however, Sukumo Station on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway in Kōchi Prefecture Highways Sister city relations 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 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 External links Ainan official website Towns in Ehime Prefecture Populated coastal places in Japan Ainan, Ehime