Matsuyama松山
Matsuyama and Dogo Onsen guide
Matsuyama Castle, with its original keep on a hilltop, and Dogo Onsen with its historic bathhouse, linked by tram. A city of haiku and the setting of the novel "Botchan".
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
By interest
By how you get there
By distance
- 1
Dogo Onsen Honkan
The symbol of Dogo, one of Japan's oldest hot springs. A wooden bathhouse built in the 1890s where you can still bathe today.
- Hot springs
- History & buildings
about 60 minPaid entryFine on a rainy day
Tram · About 30 min from Matsuyama ・ Tram to Dogo Onsen, then about 5 minutes on foot ・ 3.5km
- 2
Matsuyama Castle
A castle on a hill in the middle of the city, with a keep surviving from the Edo period. It looks out over the city and the Inland Sea.
- History & buildings
- Views
about 1.5 hrPartly paidFine on a rainy dayPartly step-free
Ropeway · About 40 min from Matsuyama ・ Tram to Okaido, walk to the base station, then the ropeway or chairlift ・ 1.4km
- 3
Dogo Haikara-dori arcade and the Botchan Karakuri Clock
A covered shopping street running from the mechanical clock and foot bath by the station to the Honkan. Good for souvenirs and snacks.
- Shopping & strolling
- Food & markets
about 30 minFreeFine on a rainy day
Tram · About 27 min from Matsuyama ・ Tram to Dogo Onsen ・ 3.4km
- 4
Dogo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu
A newer bathhouse styled after the architecture of the Asuka period and decorated with Ehime's traditional crafts. It has an open-air bath.
- Hot springs
- Museums
about 1.5 hrPaid entryFine on a rainy day
Tram · About 30 min from Matsuyama ・ Tram to Dogo Onsen, then about 3 minutes on foot ・ 3.3km
- 5
Ishiteji Temple
Temple 51 on the Shikoku pilgrimage. It has a National Treasure gate and a three-story pagoda, and you will see pilgrims in white.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
about 45 minFree
Tram · About 50 min from Matsuyama ・ Tram to Dogo Onsen, then about 15 minutes on foot ・ 4.3km
- 6
Bansuiso Villa and Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum
A French-style villa from the 1920s at the foot of the castle hill. In front of it stands a museum designed by Tadao Ando.
- History & buildings
- Museums
about 60 minPaid entryFine on a rainy day
Tram · About 20 min from Matsuyama ・ Tram to Okaido, then about 5 minutes on foot ・ 1.6km
“Classics” and “Hidden gems” are our editors' picks, not a measured popularity ranking. Travel times are estimates. Please check prices, opening hours and operating days with the official sources before you go.
Photo and data credits
Dogo Onsen Honkan lit up at dusk Japanexperterna.se (CC BY-SA 3.0) / The three-story wooden building of Dogo Onsen Honkan z tanuki (CC BY 3.0) / Matsuyama Castle's keep and turrets atop high stone walls Urashimataro (Public domain) / The Botchan Karakuri Clock in the square by Dogo Onsen Station Brakeet (CC0) / White walls and red pillars of the Asuka-no-Yu annex Drivephotographer (CC0) / The Nio Gate of Ishiteji Temple among green trees CT-May (CC0) / The French-style mansion of Bansuiso Ippukucho (CC BY 3.0). Cropped and resized.
Facilities & features
- Coin lockers and baggage storage
- Elevators available (the route may be longer)
- Typical transfer time: about 4 min
Lines from here
- Airport limousine Matsuyama Airport – JR Matsuyama – Matsuyama City Sta. – Dogo Onsen
- Limousine bus Matsuyama Kanko Port – JR Matsuyama Sta.
- Limited Express Shiokaze (Okayama – Imabari – Matsuyama)
- Limited Express Ishizuchi (Takamatsu – Imabari – Matsuyama)
- Iyotetsu Tram Route 5 (JR Matsuyama Sta. – Okaido – Dogo Onsen)
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