Japan · Region
Matsuyama
Matsuyama is the largest city in Shikoku and the historic capital of Ehime Prefecture, built around one of Japan's finest surviving feudal-era castles. It is best known for Dogo Onsen, one of the country's oldest hot spring towns, and for the languid, literary atmosphere immortalised in Natsume Soseki's novel "Botchan".
Top attractions
attraction Ehime Museum of Art: Matsuyama Travel Guide (4.1★)
The Ehime Museum of Art sits in Horinouchi Park in central Matsuyama, at the foot of the hill that Matsuyama Castle stands on, a short walk from the Minami-Horibata tram stop. 4.1★ (1,896 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Matsuyama General Park: Travel Guide (4.2★)
Matsuyama General Park is a large hillside park in the Asahigaoka district of western Matsuyama, Ehime. 4.2★ (1,121 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Hidden gems
hidden gem Dogo Onsen Main Building: Matsuyama Travel Guide (4.2★)
Dogo Onsen Main Building in Matsuyama's Dogo district is a three-storey wooden bathhouse from 1894, open daily 6:00am to 11:00pm, a short walk from Dogo Onsen tram station. 4.2★ (16,758 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Matsuyama Castle: Travel Guide (4.5★)
Matsuyama Castle sits on top of Mount Katsuyama in central Matsuyama, Ehime, and you reach it by chairlift, ropeway or a 20–30 minute walk up from the Okaido shopping street. 4.5★ (17,271 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Top-rated things to do in Matsuyama
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Where to stay in Matsuyama
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Frequently asked questions about Matsuyama
How do I get to Matsuyama?
Most travellers fly into Matsuyama Airport (MYJ), the main gateway to Ehime Prefecture, then take a limousine bus into the city; services run roughly every 20 minutes to JR Matsuyama Station and Matsuyama City Station, taking around 20 to 25 minutes. From elsewhere in Japan, the usual rail route is via the Shinkansen to Okayama, then the JR Shiokaze limited express on the JR Yosan Line into Matsuyama, a journey of around 2.5 to 3 hours from Okayama.
How many days should I spend in Matsuyama?
~2 to 3 days is enough to cover the castle, Dogo Onsen and the downtown Okaido and Gintengai districts at an easy pace, with an extra day if you plan to branch out to the Seto Inland Sea coast or nearby islands.
What is Matsuyama known for?
Matsuyama is the largest city in Shikoku and the historic capital of Ehime Prefecture, built around one of Japan's finest surviving feudal-era castles. It is best known for Dogo Onsen, one of the country's oldest hot spring towns, and for the languid, literary atmosphere immortalised in Natsume Soseki's novel "Botchan".