Matsuyama Travel Guide

  'Botchan' Train - Dogo Onsen
by SallyM
  • 'Botchan' Train - Dogo Onsen
      'Botchan' Train - Dogo Onsen
    by SallyM
  • Outer fortifications, Matsuyama Castle
      Outer fortifications, Matsuyama Castle
    by SallyM
  •   Things to Do
    by salisbury3933
  •   Things to Do
    by salisbury3933
  •   Things to Do
    by salisbury3933

Explore Matsuyama

Things to Do  

Ishiteji Temple

Ishiteji Temple, Matsuyama

 salisbury3933 Says:  This is one of Matsuyama's more interesting attractions. It is Temple 51 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Seven of its structures have been designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.It is about 15 minutes by foot from Dogo, and also accessible by bus... 

Matsuyama-castle

Matsuyama-castle, Matsuyama

 salisbury3933 Says:  Matsuyama castle(松山城) is a must see for any visitor to Matsuyama. It's up on the hill and you get an excellent view from the top.You have the choice of either taking the ropeway up the hill, or walking up.Admission is 500 yen for adults, and there... 

Sakanouenokumo Museum

Sakanouenokumo Museum, Matsuyama

 salisbury3933 Says:  This museum has been opened quite recently and has a number of exhibitions related to local history. It is of moderate interest and entrance is 400 yen.Unfortunately there are no descriptions at all for non speakers of Japanese. 

The Ropeway

The Ropeway, Matsuyama

 SallyM Says:  This is the easiest way to get up the steep hill from the city centre to the castle. There is an enclosed cable car, and also a chairlift for the brave.You can buy a combined ticket for the ropeway and castle (1000 yen). 

Botchan Karakuri Clock

Botchan Karakuri Clock, Matsuyama

 SallyM Says:  This clock is situated in the main square in front of the Dogo Onsen station. It was erected in 1994 in celebration of the centenary of the Dogo Onsen hot springs building.Every hour from 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. it comes alive with little figures re-enacting a scene from the... 

Dogo Onsen Hot Springs

Dogo Onsen Hot Springs, Matsuyama

 SallyM Says:  The Dogo Onsen is a hot spring spa that has been in use for over a thousand years. The nineteenth century wooden bath house building has been designated as an important cultural asset.I didn't actually try the hot baths myself. 

Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle, Matsuyama

 SallyM Says:  Matsutama Castle is situated on Katsuyama HIll in the centre of the city. The castle was founded by Yoshiaki Katoh in 1602. Construction was completed in 1627. It is said that women from the Masaki area were employed to carry gravel for the construction in baskets on their... 

Matsuyama-jo

Matsuyama-jo, Matsuyama

 bennieofzo Says:  The Matsuyama-jo is a very beautiful castle .The castle was built in 1603, by the head of the Matsudeira-clan, and later destroyed by fire. The view over Matsuyama from the castle grounds is very beautiful.Take also a look at the surrounding park. 

The Russian Cemetery

The Russian Cemetery, Matsuyama

 dlandt Says:  Visiting Shikoku every few years has made me come to the realization that Shikoku I not just remote and unconnected to the world, but it is also remote and not very well connected to Japan. For this reason, it is always interesting to come across some tangible trace of... 

Hotels  

Ana Hotel Matsuyama

 2 Reviews and 4 Opinions  The ANA hotel is said by the locals to be the best in town. The room itself was fairly much what... 

Hotel Tsubakikan

 1 Review and 4 Opinions  This is a ryokan hotel, which retains elements of traditional Japanese accommodation, such as... 

Restaurants  

Ajikura: Seto Inland Sea Cuisine

Ajikura: Seto Inland Sea Cuisine, Matsuyama

 salisbury3933 Says:  This restaurant does local cuisine, with a heavy emphasis on fish found in the waters off Ehime. We popped in around lunchtime, and enjoyed a very nice set meal indeed. Prices are very affordable as well. Greatly enjoyed.It's pretty unpretentious and that is part of the... 

Dogo Beer: Local Beer and Japanese style pub grub

Dogo Beer: Local Beer and Japanese style pub grub, Matsuyama

 salisbury3933 Says:  Just had a good bath at Dogo Onsen and want to chill out with a beer afterwards? Just across the road is Dogo beer factory where you can try some of the local beer. Pricey, but tasty and with some good food as well.Around about 800 yen for a handle of beer, so bring plenty... 

Nightlife  

Sol a Sol: Expat Hangout
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

salisbury3933 858 reviews

Whilst not a favourite hangout of mine, this bar was a favourite hangout for local expats, and Japanese wanting to try out their English.

There's some decent music, and you can also have a little bit of a dance.

Written Mar 14, 2006

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Transportation  

Flights to/from Matsuyama airport

Flights to/from Matsuyama airport, Matsuyama

 salisbury3933 Says:  Matsuyama is to be fair, a little inconvenient for those travelling there from outside of Japan, unless of course you can fly in from Seoul or Shanghai. Domestically, ANA flies to Tokyo (Haneda) Osaka (Itami), Nagoya (Chubu). JAL flies to Tokyo-Haneda and Osaka-Itami,... 

Tram

Tram, Matsuyama

 grayfo Says:  The tram, although abolished in most Japanese cities, is still in use in Matsuyama and is the main method of getting around the city. The flat fare is ¥150 per trip; a one-day pass for the trams costs ¥300. There is also a special tram named the Botchan Densha, which is a... 

Shopping  

Dogo Shopping District: Local sweets!

Dogo Shopping District: Local sweets!, Matsuyama

 SallyM Says:  There is a shopping arcade in the Dogo Onsen area where you can buy local souvenirs, including the local 'Botchan' sweets. The local sweets. Each part of Japan has its own specialities, and they are beautifully packaged. 

Various: Souvenirs in Matsuyama

Various: Souvenirs in Matsuyama, Matsuyama

 salisbury3933 Says:  There are various places to buy souvenirs in Matsuyama. The area around Dogo has plenty of shops with local food and drink (sake, beer) as well as various trinkets, and pottery from Tobe.At the top of the ropeway to Matsuyama castle there are a number of different stalls as... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Gogoshima

Gogoshima, Matsuyama

 salisbury3933 Says:  Gogoshima is a small island off the coast of Matsuyama accessible from Mitsu port.It's mostly a place where oranges are grown, but there's a nice beach, which is a great place to be in the hot summers (30 degrees plus) 

Sports & Outdoors  

Watching the baseball
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salisbury3933 858 reviews
Botchan stadium taken from Matsuyama Castle

At Bocchan stadium in Matsuyama, around about 5 games a year of professional baseball are played, where the pro teams from the bigger centres come to play.

Keep an eye out if you are in town as there may be a game on.

Written Jan 31, 2006

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Favorites  

What's on?

What's on?, Matsuyama

 salisbury3933 Says:  Matsuyama international centre publishes this newsletter each month in English.It outlines the events that are on, both in Matsuyama and other parts of Ehime. Kinokuniya is not a bad place to pick it up, but you can find it in selected spots around the city. 

Changing Money in Matsuyama

Changing Money in Matsuyama, Matsuyama

 salisbury3933 Says:  The main post office on nibancho is the best place to change money. The local banks are Iyo and Ehime bank, both firmly stuck in their 19th century ways, and best not dealt with at all.The post office ATMs are about the only place to my knowledge where you can withdraw money... 

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Map of Matsuyama