This page explains temporary childcare and family support services in Matsuyama, Imabari and Niihama in Ehime Prefecture. For your own case, ask your city (Matsuyama: Childcare and Kindergarten Division 089-948-6412; Imabari: Childcare and Kindergarten Division 0898-36-1524; Niihama: each facility listed below).
When you want to leave a child for a few hours or a day in Matsuyama, Imabari or Niihama, for work, a hospital visit or a break, there are three kinds of places: temporary childcare at nurseries (ichiji azukari), the Family Support Center (Famisapo), and childcare at child-rearing plazas. Temporary childcare at public nurseries is ¥1,500 a day in all 3 cities, but in Imabari the public rate is ¥1,500 even for a half day, and at Wakamiya Nursery in Niihama a half day starts from ¥700.
In short
- Temporary childcare at nurseries is in principle for children who do not attend a nursery or kindergarten, and you apply directly to the nursery.
- Famisapo covers children from 6 months old to the 6th grade of elementary school and can also handle pick-ups from nurseries and after-school clubs. You must register as a member first.
- For just a few hours, there is childcare at Hapi, a child-rearing plaza in Imabari (¥300 an hour), and at moku moku hiroba in Niihama (¥200 an hour).
Checked with official pages on October 19, 2026 (Japan time). Prices and hours may change.
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1. How to choose temporary childcare in Ehime
- To leave a child for a whole day: temporary childcare at a nursery (public ones are ¥1,500 a day in all 3 cities).
- To leave a baby from age 0: Matsuyama has private nurseries that accept children from 2 months old, and Niihama has 5 community-based childcare centers (spare-capacity type) that accept from age 0.
- To ask for a pick-up from a nursery or after-school club: Famisapo (weekday daytime, per hour: ¥700 in Matsuyama, ¥600 in Imabari and Niihama).
- For 2 to 3 hours of shopping or a hospital visit: Hapi in Imabari (up to 2 hours a day) or moku moku hiroba in Niihama (up to 3 hours a day).
2. Fees compared in Matsuyama, Imabari and Niihama
Click a city name to jump to its section.
| City | Public nursery temporary childcare | Famisapo (weekdays 7:00-19:00) | Plaza childcare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matsuyama | ¥1,500 a day | ¥700 an hour | — |
| Imabari | ¥1,500 a day (same for a half day) | ¥600 an hour | Hapi ¥300 an hour |
| Niihama | ¥1,500 a day, half day from ¥700 | ¥600 an hour | moku moku hiroba ¥200 an hour |
A “—” in the table means no matching service was found in the city’s guidance. Public nursery fees are for households that pay city resident tax.
3. What to know about choosing in Ehime
For temporary childcare at nurseries, you apply directly to the nursery in every city. Many nurseries in Matsuyama and Wakamiya Nursery in Niihama take reservations for the following month in the previous month. Matsuyama’s directly run public nurseries accept applications from the 15th of the previous month with a deadline on the 20th. Wakamiya Nursery in Niihama accepts next month’s applications in principle from the 25th of the previous month and decides the order of reception by lottery.
There are caps on the number of uses. Matsuyama’s nursery temporary childcare is in principle up to 15 days a month, Wakamiya Nursery in Niihama up to 3 times a week and 12 times a month, Hapi in Imabari up to 10 times a month, and moku moku hiroba in Niihama up to 6 times a month.
Spare-capacity-type facilities accept children only when there is room in the regular childcare capacity. In Matsuyama some public and private nurseries are of this type, in Imabari the public Noma Nursery and Kamiura Certified Early Childhood Center, and in Niihama 6 private facilities. Call the facility to check whether there is room on your day.
With Famisapo, you become a member at the center, and the center then looks for a provider member who fits your conditions. In Matsuyama you have a preliminary meeting with the provider member before the first time you leave your child.
4. Matsuyama: over 60 nurseries for temporary childcare, and Famisapo free up to 2 hours 30 minutes a month
It is for preschool children who are registered as residents of Matsuyama and who do not attend a nursery or kindergarten. The city’s fiscal 2026 list (as of April 1, 2026) shows more than 60 nurseries, certified early childhood centers and community-based childcare providers offering temporary childcare. Use is in principle up to 15 days a month, but if you have applied for nursery entry and the city recognizes that you need 16 or more days of care a month, based on a work certificate or similar, you may be able to use 16 days or more.
Public nurseries are open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 to 17:00, and lunch is the same as regular childcare. The fee per day is ¥1,500 for households paying city tax, ¥400 for households exempt from tax, and free for households on public assistance and single-parent or disability-related households exempt from tax. For children aged 3 and over at directly run public nurseries, a separate staple food fee of ¥20 per time applies.
Private nurseries differ by nursery in age, hours and fees. From the list, here are some with different conditions.
| Nursery | Age | Hours | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kohitsujien Certified Early Childhood Center | From 2 months | Mon-Fri 8:30-18:00 | ¥2,000 a day, ¥1,000 half day |
| Jack and the Beanstalk (Edamatsu) | From 2 months | Mon-Fri 7:00-19:30, Sat until 18:00 | ¥1,800-¥2,350 a day |
| Ayura Kids Room Amupamu (Miyatacho) | 3 months to age 5 | 8:30-19:00 including Sundays and holidays | ¥1,200 up to 9 hours, ¥600 up to 4.5 hours |
| Ikuei Kindergarten Certified Early Childhood Center | From 1 year | Mon-Fri 7:00-19:00 | ¥300-¥600 an hour |
| Mitsuba Kindergarten Certified Early Childhood Center | From 1 year | Mon-Sat 8:00-18:00 | ¥200 an hour |
Many nurseries require registration in advance, and some require that the child has finished weaning or can walk alone. If you are staying at the child’s grandparents’ home in Matsuyama for a childbirth return home, you can use it for 5 months in total, 2 months before and 2 months after the expected month of birth. Matsuyama City: Temporary childcare (general type) and Matsuyama City: List of fiscal 2026 temporary childcare facilities (PDF)
Inquiries: Childcare and Kindergarten Division 089-948-6412.
The Matsuyama Family Support Center can be used by people registered as residents of the city, or working or studying in it, who have a child from 6 months old to the 6th grade of elementary school. Membership and annual fees are free, and you register at the counter with one photo and photo ID.
The fee per hour is ¥700 on weekdays from 7:00 to 19:00; ¥800 at other times on weekdays and from 7:00 to 19:00 on weekends, holidays and the year-end and New Year period; and ¥900 at other times on weekends, holidays and the year-end and New Year period. Care of a sick child or a child recovering from illness is ¥900 at any time, on condition that the child has first seen a doctor. After the first hour, half the hourly fee is added for every 30 minutes, and the second child is half price. Cancellation is free up to the day before, and half the fee is charged for a cancellation on the day, up to 1 hour before the reserved time.
With the city’s subsidy, 2 hours 30 minutes of fees a month are free (5 coupons of 30 minutes a month). Households receiving the child-rearing allowance for single-parent families get 5 hours a month. You apply for the coupons each fiscal year at the center’s counter. Matsuyama Family Support Center: how it works and fees and Matsuyama Family Support Center: subsidy for use
Inquiries: Matsuyama Family Support Center 089-945-1008 (9:00-17:00; closed Sundays, holidays, Mondays and the year-end and New Year period). It is on the 1st floor of Coms (Sanbancho 6-chome).
The “Ikuji Bahba Mama Service” of the Matsuyama Silver Human Resources Center can also take children from 1 year old to the 6th grade of elementary school to and from places, and look after them while you are out. The fee is ¥1,330-¥1,535 an hour, and for pick-ups and babysitting while you are out the city subsidy halves it for up to 5 hours a month. Matsuyama Silver Human Resources Center: child-rearing support services and Matsuyama City: subsidy for Family Support and the Ikuji Bahba Mama Service
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5. Imabari: public ¥1,500 even for a half day, many private nurseries ¥2,000 a day and ¥1,000 a half day
It is mainly for children aged 1 year to preschool who do not attend a nursery or kindergarten, and you apply directly to the nursery. Imabari Chuo Barikko Nursery and Konishi Nursery accept from 6 months old, and Karako Kindergarten Certified Early Childhood Center from age 2. Nurseries marked “expanded” in the table below also take children who attend other nurseries or kindergartens.
When you apply, bring something that shows the parent-child relationship, such as a health insurance card or a maternal and child health handbook. Joto Nursery and Hakata Certified Early Childhood Center accept online reservations through the maternal and child health handbook app “Boshimo”. If you are staying at the child’s grandparents’ home in Imabari for a childbirth return home, you can use it only in the months that include the 8 weeks before and after birth.
| Nursery | Type | Days | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joto Nursery | Public | Mon-Sat | ¥1,500 a day |
| Kikuma Nursery | Public | Mon-Sat | ¥1,500 a day |
| Oshima Certified Early Childhood Center | Public, expanded | Mon-Sat | ¥1,500 a day |
| Hakata Certified Early Childhood Center | Public, expanded | Mon-Sat | ¥1,500 a day |
| Kamiura Certified Early Childhood Center | Public, expanded | Mon-Sat | ¥1,500 a day |
| Noma Nursery | Public (spare-capacity type) | Mon-Fri | ¥1,500 a day |
| Wakaba Nursery | Private, expanded | Mon-Sat (Sat until 12:30) | ¥2,000 a day, ¥1,000 half day |
| Shishima Nursery | Private | Mon-Sat (Sat until 13:00) | ¥2,000 a day, ¥1,000 half day |
| Shirahato Nursery | Private, expanded | Mon-Sat | ¥2,000 a day, ¥1,000 half day |
| Imabari Kogaku Nursery | Private | Mon-Sat (Sat until 12:30) | ¥2,000 a day, ¥1,000 half day |
| Imabari Chuo Barikko Nursery | Private, expanded | Mon-Sat | ¥2,000 a day, ¥1,000 half day |
| Konishi Nursery | Private, expanded | Mon-Sat (Sat until 12:45) | ¥2,000 a day, ¥1,000 half day |
| Shimanami no Mori Certified Early Childhood Center | Private, expanded | Mon-Sat | ¥2,000 a day, ¥1,000 half day |
| Sora to Umi Certified Early Childhood Center | Private, expanded | Mon-Sat | ¥2,000 a day, ¥1,000 half day |
| Imabari Kindergarten | Private | Mon-Fri | ¥2,000 a day, ¥1,000 half day |
| Hashihama Kogaku Certified Early Childhood Center | Private | Mon-Fri | ¥200 an hour |
| Seishin Kindergarten | Private, expanded | Mon-Fri | ¥300 an hour (lunch extra) |
| Karako Kindergarten | Private, expanded | Mon-Fri | ¥200 an hour (lunch extra) |
Public nursery hours are 8:30 to 17:00, and the fee is ¥1,500 for 8 hours, the same amount even for a half day. The 4 private nurseries Wakaba, Shirahato, Imabari Kogaku and Imabari Chuo Barikko have an extension fee of ¥150 per 30 minutes. Imabari City (Imakoso Imabari): Temporary childcare
Inquiries: Childcare and Kindergarten Division 0898-36-1524.
“Child-rearing plaza Hapi” is a child-rearing plaza on the 1st floor of AEON MALL Imabari Shintoshi that offers childcare. It is in principle for children from 6 months to under 3 years old, and children from outside the city can also be left. It is up to 2 hours a day within the opening hours of 10:00 to 15:00, up to 10 times a month, at ¥300 an hour, paid in cash on the day. Up to 3 children are taken per day.
You book with a reservation form, from 1 month before to 3 days before the day of use. A child who has never used Hapi cannot be left, so go to the plaza with your child first. Imabari City: Child-rearing plaza Hapi Inquiries: Child-rearing plaza Hapi 0898-24-2951.
The Imabari Family Support Center can be used by people who live in the city and are raising a child from 6 months old to the 6th grade of elementary school. Membership and annual fees are free. The fee per hour is ¥600 on weekdays from 7:00 to 19:00, ¥700 at other times on weekdays, ¥700 from 7:00 to 19:00 on weekends, holidays and the year-end and New Year period, ¥800 at other times, and ¥800 for support for a sick child or a child recovering from illness.
The second child is half price, and cancellation up to the day before is free. When a provider member’s car is used, a gasoline charge applies by distance driven. Single-parent households receiving the child-rearing allowance can receive a subsidy of half the fee, and the application deadline is March 31 of each fiscal year. Imabari City: Family Support Center project and Imabari Family Support Center fee subsidy
Inquiries: Imabari Family Support Center 0898-33-2000 (1st floor of White Building Yamato, 1-2-2 Taishomachi).
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6. Niihama: Wakamiya Nursery from ¥700 for a half day, moku moku hiroba ¥200 an hour
In Niihama, temporary childcare at nurseries is offered by the public Wakamiya Nursery and 6 private spare-capacity-type facilities. Wakamiya Nursery is for preschool children aged 1 year or older who live in the city, and a rough guide is that the child has started to walk and finished baby food. The daily capacity is 15 children.
The fee is ¥1,500 for a full day and ¥700 for a morning half day without a meal (¥1,000 with a meal) and ¥700 for an afternoon half day, and extension is ¥200 per 30 minutes. You pay on the day. You can use it up to 3 times a week and 12 times a month. Applications are by phone, Monday to Friday 8:45 to 16:30. Prepare your insurance card number, the child medical expense eligibility card, the maternal and child health handbook and 2 emergency contacts.
Next month’s applications are accepted in principle from the 25th of the previous month, and the reception time is decided by lottery. You are asked to go to the nursery by the day before, fill in the application form and draw a lot. Inquiries: Wakamiya Nursery 0897-32-4194 (1-8-38 Nittacho). Niihama City: Temporary childcare
The 6 spare-capacity-type facilities use the same fee table as Wakamiya Nursery. There is no cap on the number of uses (Izumi Kindergarten follows the public rule), and there is an interview before you use them. Each facility takes 1 or 2 children a day for temporary childcare.
| Facility | Location | Phone | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Izumi Kindergarten Certified Early Childhood Center | 4-30 Ojicho | 0897-32-4088 | 1 year to preschool |
| Kagayaki Nursery | 2-2-111 Nishiharacho | 0897-31-5535 | 0 to preschool |
| Kagayaki Plus Nursery | 2-4-41 Kubotacho | 0897-47-8728 | 0 to preschool |
| Himawari Infant Home | 3-16-7 Go | 0897-67-1281 | 0 to preschool |
| Kodomoen Mirumiru | 1-1-62 Nishiharacho | 0897-37-1911 | 0 to preschool |
| Poko a Poko Nursery | 1-6-20 Matano | 0897-47-6352 | 0 to preschool |
“moku moku hiroba” at the child-rearing exchange facility Sukusuku (407-2 Hagyu) has offered temporary childcare since April 2026. It is for children from 6 months to under 3 years old who do not attend nursery and who live in the city or are staying at a parent’s family home in Niihama for a childbirth return home. Hours are 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, and you can use it in 1-hour units up to 3 hours a day.
The fee is ¥200 an hour, paid before use on the day, and use is up to 6 times a month. Registration is required, and reservations are accepted from 2 weeks before to the day before the date you want. You are asked to go and play there with your child first. Inquiries: moku moku hiroba 0897-47-6690. Niihama City: Temporary childcare at the child-rearing exchange facility Sukusuku
The Niihama Family Support Center can be used by people who live or work in the city and have a child from 6 months old to the 6th grade of elementary school. The fee per hour is ¥600 on weekdays from 7:00 to 19:00, and ¥700 at other times, on weekends and holidays, and for care while a child is recovering from illness. The second child is half price, and transport costs ¥100 for up to 10 km. Overnight care is not offered.
You register at the center inside the Children’s Future Division on the 1st floor of City Hall, bringing 2 photos and ID such as a driver’s license. Single-parent households, households exempt from resident tax and households with multiple births can apply to be given priority in matching. Niihama City: Niihama Family Support Center Inquiries: Niihama Family Support Center 0897-65-1242 (weekdays 8:30-17:15).
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FAQ
Can a child who attends a nursery also use temporary childcare?
Temporary childcare at nurseries is in principle for children who do not attend a nursery or kindergarten. The “expanded” nurseries in Imabari also take children who attend one. For pick-ups of a child who attends a nursery, or care after pick-up, you can ask Famisapo in all 3 cities.
Can I leave my older child during a childbirth return home?
All 3 cities accept this. Matsuyama allows 2 months before and after the expected month of birth if the grandparents are registered as residents of Matsuyama; Imabari only the months that include the 8 weeks before and after birth if the parents’ home is in the city (a copy of the maternal and child health handbook is needed); and Wakamiya Nursery in Niihama can be used by people from outside the city for a childbirth return home.
If your child has a fever, see our article on care for sick children in Ehime (Japanese). For nursery applications, see our article on nursery entry in April 2027 in Ehime (Japanese). For elementary school children after school, see our article on after-school clubs in Ehime (Japanese).
Sources
14 pages we checked
- Matsuyama City: Temporary childcare (general type)
- Matsuyama City: List of fiscal 2026 temporary childcare facilities (PDF)
- Matsuyama Family Support Center: how it works and fees
- Matsuyama Family Support Center: subsidy for use
- Matsuyama City: Subsidy for Family Support and the Ikuji Bahba Mama Service
- Matsuyama Silver Human Resources Center: child-rearing support services
- Imabari City: Temporary childcare
- Imabari City: Child-rearing plaza Hapi
- Imabari City: Family Support Center project
- Imabari City: Family Support Center fee subsidy
- Niihama City: Temporary childcare
- Niihama City: Temporary childcare at the child-rearing exchange facility Sukusuku
- Niihama City: Niihama Family Support Center
- Japanese version of this page (日本語版)
Checked with official pages on October 19, 2026 (Japan time).
