Matsuyama Travel Guide

Mike

• 4 min read
Matsuyama Travel Guide
Cat in Matsuyama Japan

Matsuyama (松山), on the island of Shikoku, is a city of rich cultural heritage, beautiful architecture, and natural beauty. It's the largest city on the island and the seventh largest city in Japan. Matsuyama is located in Ehime Prefecture, on the Northeast side of Shikoku, with the Seto Inland Sea to the northwest, surrounded by mountains.

The city is probably most famous for Dōgo Onsen, which is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan and Matsuyama Castle, a beautifully preserved 400 year old castle.

Matsuyama
Matsuyama

Quick facts

  • Official (tourist) website: https://en.matsuyama-sightseeing.com/
  • Location: Ehime Prefecture, on the Northeast side of Shikoku
  • How to get to Matsuyama:
    • Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama, Yosan Line-Limited Express from Okayama to Matsuyama (about 6.5 hours)
    • By plane from either Haneda or Narita (about 1.5 hours)
    • By ferry from Hiroshima (about 70 minutes)

Matsuyama History

Dogo Onsen was already famous as a hot spring by the 7th century.  One of the legends for the discovery of Dogo Onsen is that people witnessed an egret with an injured leg bathe in the hot spring and become healthy again.

AI generated image of an egret in a hot spring
AI generated image of an egret in a hot spring

Matsuyama castle was constructed between 1602 and 1628 during the early Edo Period under the rule of Kato Yoshiaki. Although it was heavily damaged and underwent several reconstructions, the castle still stands today.  A town developed around the castle and became the core of modern Matsuyama.

The city was officially founded on December 15, 1889.

Location and transportation

  • Matsuyama Airport is located about 4 miles (6km) from the Matsuyama Station. The airport has domestic flights to several Japanese cities as well as flights to Seoul.
  • The JR Shikoku Yosan Line connects Matsuyama to Uwajima to the south and Takamatstu to the east, as well as to Okayama, Shinkansen, and the rest of Japan via the Seto-Ohashi Line.
  • Local train, bus, and tram service is provided by Iyotetsu
    • Note that Suica and Pasmo cards aren't accepted, but you can buy day passes. There is also a digital version that you can use with your smartphone. Day passes include a free ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel.
  • Setonaikaikisen provides ferry service to/from Hiroshima (about 70 minutes)

Things to do in Matsuyama

Matsuyama Castle

Visit Matsuyama Castle.  There is a chairlift to the top, but walking to the top isn't too bad.  It's a nice place to see the sunset.

Matsuyama Castle
Matsuyama Castle
Matsuyama Castle Wall
Matsuyama Castle Wall

Dogo Onsen

Visit Dogo Onsen. The main building is currently being renovated, but is still partially open.

Dogo Onsen
Dogo Onsen

Botchan Train

Take a picture of the Botchan Train.  Named after the protagonist of Natsume Sōseki's novel, Botchan, which is set in Matsuyama and Dōgo Onsen, the Bocchan Train is a replica steam locomotive running between these two locations.

Botchan Train near Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama on a rainy day
Botchan Train near Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama on a rainy day

Ishiteji Temple

Visit the Ishiteji Temple. Belonging to the Shingon sect and being one of the 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage route, this Buddhist temple boasts a history of over 1000 years and features numerous structures and statues, including the main hall, a pagoda, the Niomon gate, and a cave where Kūkai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, is believed to have meditated.

Matsuyama Gintengai

Talk a walk through the Matsuyama Gintengai shopping street.  It's a bustling street with drugstores, clothing stores, and restaurants.

Gintengai shopping street in Matsuyama
Gintengai shopping street in Matsuyama

Okaido Shopping Street

Talk a walk through Okaido shopping street. Another shopping street home to a variety of shops, including department stores, clothing stores, souvenir shops, and restaurants.

Okaido Shopping Street in Matsuyama Japan
Okaido Shopping Street in Matsuyama Japan

Matsuyama Hotels

Crowne Plaza - ANA Matsuyama

This hotel is a 5 minute walk from Matsuyama Castle and a 3 minute walk from Okaido. The staff speak English and Chinese.

Daiwa Roynet Matsuyama

The Daiwa Roynet Matsuyama hotel has reasonably priced rooms, and is in a convenient location next to Okaido shopping street, and near the Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle.  This hotel has free wifi and a coin operated laundry.  The coin operated laundry also takes Suica cards (note that there are machines that look like change machines in the laundry room, but these are PPV vending machines, not change machines).

Dogo Onsen Funaya

One of many hotels near Dogo Onsen, this hotel has traditional and Western style rooms, a restaurant, and several hot springs.