Sightseeing spots
- Matsuyama Area
- Imabari, Shimanami Sea Route Areas
- Uchiko, Ozu, Uwa Areas
- Uwajima, Ainan Areas
- Niihama, Saijo Areas
Matsuyama Area
Matsuyama has been developed as a castle town, and now it is the busiest city in Ehime Prefecture. There are many places you must visit, such as authentic "Dogo Onsen" hot spring and Matsuyama Castle. There are direct international flight services between Matsuyama and Seoul (South Korea), and Shanghai (China).
Dogo Onsen hot spring Main Building
Dogo Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Japan, is proud of its 3,000-year history. The Main Building, the symbol of Dogo spa resort, completed in 1894 (designated as an Important Cultural Property) is surrounded by many hotels and traditional Japanese-style inns and shopping arcade, and allures many residents and tourists into the bath. The three-storied timber structure is said to be a model of the bathhouse of the gods in the film "Spirited Away" by Hayao Miyazaki. It was also given three stars in the Michelin Guide 2009. Take a bath, and relax in cotton yukata, kimono-style bathrobe in a spacious room or a private room. Yushinden is the bath exclusive to the Imperial Family, which is only one of its kinds in Japan (allowed to take a look). See below for the fees.
- DATA
- Address/ 5-6 Yunomachi Dogo, Matsuyama
Telephone/ 089-921-5141
Hours/ Kami-no-yu 1st floor 06:00 - 23:00 (Ticket window closes at 22:30), Kami-no-yu 2nd floor 06:00 - 22:00 (Ticket window closes at 21:00), Tama-no-yu 2nd floor 06:00 - 22:00 (Ticket window closes at 21:00), Tama-no-yu 3rd floor private bathhouse 06:00 - 22:00 (Ticket window closes at 20:40), Yushinden (observation) 06:00 - 21:30 (Ticket window closes at 21:00)
Open/ 7 days week (except one day off in December)
Admission/ ¥400- for Kami-no-yu 1st floor, ¥800- for Kami-no-yu 2nd floor, ¥1,200- for Tama-no-yu 2nd floor, ¥1,500- for Tama-no-yu 3rd floor private bathhouse, and ¥250- for Yushinden observation (free if you pay for Tama-no-yu)
Matsuyama Castle
The castle, originally built on Katsuyama Hill (132m) in 1627, is one of the 12 surviving castles built before Edo Period (1603 - 1867), although the donjon was re-built in 1854 after the fire struck by lightening. 21 building structures including the donjon were designated as the Important Cultural Properties. You can go up to the hilltop square by ropeway or chair lift. The "ropeway street" at the bottom of the hill is lined with strings of retro-flavored shops on both sides.
- DATA
- Location/ 1 Marunouchi, Matsuyama
Telephone/ 089-921-4873
Hours/ 09:00 - 17:00 for the donjon (until 17:30 in August, until 16:30 from December - January) Entrance closed 30 minutes before the donjon closes.
Closed/ the donjon closes December 29
Admission/ the donjon ¥500-, and round trip by ropeway or chair lift ¥500-
Dogo Haikara Dori Shopping Arcade
(retro-flavored street)
L-shaped shopping street, extending 250m, starts from Dogo-Onsen Station to Dogo Onsen Main Building. Well-known shops and souvenir shops sell the local sweets and traditional arts and crafts, and cafes and restaurants are ready to serve you. It is fun to stroll after the bath.
- DATA
- Location/ Yunomachi Dogo, Matsuyama
Telephone/ 089-931-5856 (Dogo Shopping District Promotion Association)
Hours/ Depends on each shop. Closed/ Depends on each shop.
Botchan Ressha Street Car
A steam locomotive used to run throughout Matsuyama for 67 years from 1888. It is a diesel-powered street car restored in 2001. The townscape with the classical street car with steam from the smoke generator is sure to bring a sense of nostalgia. (Service daily from Dogo Onsen Station to the city center.)
- DATA
- Telephone/ 089-948-3323 (Iyotetsudo Transportation section)
Service/ 7 days week
Fare/ ¥300 per ride
Botchan Karakuri Dokei Clock/ Footbath
Puppets modeling after the main characters of the novel called “Botchan” by Natsume Soseki appear and dance every hour to tell the time at the top of the clock tower at the entrance of the Dogo Shopping Arcade. Enjoy hot footbath at the old cauldron next to the clock tower.
- DATA
- Location/ Yunomachi Dogo, Matsuyama
Telephone/ 089-948-6556 (Matsuyama City Industrial Promotion Section)
Hours/ Footbath opens 06:00 - 23:00, Botchan Karakuri Dokei Clock operates 08:00 - 22:00 (There may be some exceptions.)
Operation/ 7 days week Admission/ free
Ishite-ji Temple
Fifty-first temple out of “88 Pilgrimage Journey in Shikoku”, the religious trail by the famous Buddhist monk Kobo-Daishi to seek spiritual peace. Ishite-ji temple was founded in 728. The Niomon gate, or Deva gate, completed in 1318, is a National Treasure. There are many Important Cultural Properties such as the three-storied pagoda and the five-storied stone stupa.
- DATA
- Address/ 2-9-21 Ishite, Matsuyama
Telephone/ 089-977-0870
Visit and pray anytime.
Masaoka Shiki Memorial Museum
Masaoka Shiki, born in Matsuyama, is a haiku poet, or 17-sillable verse, and is called the "Father of Modern Japanese Haiku Poetry". Many of his hand-written manuscripts are displayed to introduce his life and work.
- DATA
- Address/ 1-30 Dogo Koen, Matsuyama
Telephone/ 089-931-5566
Hours/ 09:00 - 18:00 (until 17:00 from November - April) Entrance closes 30 minutes before the door closes.
Closed/ Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is the national holiday), the day after holiday, December 29 - December 31
Admission/ ¥400
Sakano Ueno Kumo Museum
The themed museum based on the historical novel “Sakano Ueno Kumo” by Shiba Ryotaro was opened in 2007. The book depicts the Meiji Era through three characters born in Matsuyama; Akiyama Yoshifuru, Akiyama Saneyuki and Masaoka Shiki. The building was designed by Ando Tadao, a world famous architect.
- DATA
- Addressn/ 3-20 Ichiban-Cho, Matsuyama
Telephone/ 089-915-2600
Hours/ 09:00 - 18:30 (Entrance closes at 18:00)
Closed/ Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is the national holiday)
Admission/ ¥400
Shopping
Iyotetsu Takashimaya Department Store
The largest department store in Shikoku in terms of floor space. Iyotetsu Takashimaya offers the top brand items at home and abroad, as well as broad selection of sophisticated items. Why don't you take a Ferris wheel ride at the roof of the department building to enjoy the panoramic view of Matsuyama.
- DATA
- Address/ 5-1-1 Minato-Machi, Matsuyama-City
Telephone/ 089-948-2111
Hours/ 10:00 - 19:00（Restaurants open 11:00 - 22:00, Ferris wheel operates 10:00 - 22:00)
Closed/ January 1
Mitsukoshi Department Store
Mitsukoshi has a variety of selection of famous confections and deli shops, brand items and popular fashions, as well as daily sundries in good taste collected throughout the nation. Mitsukoshi is one of the oldest department stores, and they are very strong at selecting merchandise with style appreciated by wider age groups. They also have a good selection of local products.
- DATA
- Address/ 3-1-1 Ichiban-Cho, Matsuyama
Telephone/ 089-945-3111
Hours/ 10:00 - 18:30 Closed/ February 15
Okaido/Gintengai Shopping Arcades
The largest shopping and entertainment streets in Ehime. Boutiques, variety stores, amusement facilities, cafes and restaurants stand along the streets. Saturday open markets are held here to enjoy summer evening.
- DATA
- Location/ Minatomachi, Okaido, Matsuyama
Hours/ Depends on each shop.
Closed/ Depends on each shop.
Emiful MASAKI
The largest shopping mall in Shikoku in terms of the floor size was opened in 2008. The shopping complex has some 190 shops including a super market, specialty shops, cafes and restaurants, amusement and entertainment facilities, electronic appliances, and DIY center.
- DATA
- Address/ 850 Tsutsui, Masaki-Cho, Iyo-Gun Telephone/ 089-984-2111
Hours/ Shopping mall open 09:00 - 21:00 (Depends on each store.) Open/ 7 days week
Make side trips to…
Omogokei Gorge
60km away from Matsuyama, at the foot of Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest mountain (1982m) in western Japan, Omogokei Gorge extends about 8-km long. Under the canopy of virgin forest, fantastically shaped rocks, waterfalls, and ravines with towering cliffs are scattered, and the gorge is designated as one of the most beautiful scenic spots in Japan. People also revel in the colorful autumn leaves.
- DATA
- Location/ Omogokei, Kumakougen-Cho, Kamiukeana-Gun
Telephone/ 0892-21-1111 (Kumakogen-Cho Tourism Planning section)
Iwayaji Temple
The temple was founded in 815 and the principal Buddhism image is the mountain itself, whose legend said that Kobo-Daishi, one of the most famous Buddhist monks, contained a stone statue of Buddha. There are some other legendary spots such as “Seriwari Zenjo”, or the ascetic training place for Kobo-Daishi, and “Ana-Zenjo”, or the place where the holy water springs. This is the 45th temple out of 88 Pilgrimage.
- DATA
- Address/ 1468 Nanatori, Kumakogen-Cho, Kamiukena-Gun
Telephone/ 0892-57-0417
Tobe-yaki Pottery Traditional Industrial Art Museum
Tobe, adjacent town of Matsuyama, is noted as a pottery town with its 230-year history throughout the county. The museum exhibits historical works and records, and displays and sells the products made by local potteries.
- DATA
- Address/ 335 Oominami, Tobe-Cho, Iyo-Gun
Telephone/ 089-962-6600 Hours/ 09:00 - 17:00 Open/ 7 days week Admission/ ¥300
Ski Resort
Kuma Ski Land - Ski and Snow Board Gelande
Experience the best ski resort in Kumakogen, adjacent town of Matsuyama. Only 50 to 90 minutes drive from the city center takes you to the ski slopes, excellent for both beginners and experienced. We are proud to offer you the best services and the best equipment rental.
- DATA
- Location/ 754-60 Otzu, Higashi-Myojin, Kumakogen-Cho, Kamiukena-Gun
Telephone/ 0892-21-0100
Season/ late November - March
Hours/ 08:00 - 22:00 in December (until 24:00 on Wednesday & Saturday), 08:00-24:00 from January - March
Open/ 7 days week
Price on the page is adult rate.
