JP · Ehime Prefecture · 33.83°N 132.77°E

matsuyama

An original hilltop castle, old hot baths at Dogo and sea-bream rice.

Best time
March–May and October–November are best for castle walks and onsen evenings. July–August is humid; winter is cool enough to make a hot bath especially welcome.
How long
2 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Matsuyama with one stop, usually via Tokyo or Osaka; the domestic flight takes about 1–1.5 hours. The airport bus reaches the city centre in about 20 minutes. Japan is an hour ahead of KL.
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JP · Ehime Prefecturematsuyama33.83°N 132.77°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,An original hilltop castle, old hot baths at Dogo and sea-bream rice.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingMatsuyamaJP, Ehime Prefecture
KLmatsuyama
≈ 4,692 km from KL, as the crow flies
Dogo Hot Spring main buildings seen from the mountain(KANMURI-YAMA)：This place was often described in Japanese literature, and it is said to be the oldest hot spring in Japan. Soseki Natsume, Shiki Ma

Photo: Jyo81 (ja:User) · CC BY 3.0

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Shikoku's biggest city, with an original castle on a hill in the centre and Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot springs, at the end of the tram line. Two easy days, mostly on foot and by tram.

Makan

  1. TaimeshiSea bream with rice, either cooked together in a pot or Uwajima-style, as raw slices over rice with a sauce and egg.Map ↗
  2. MikanEhime's citrus, as fresh fruit, juice and soft serve.Map ↗
  3. Botchan dangoThree-coloured skewered dumplings named after the Natsume Soseki novel set in the city.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Matsuyama CastleOne of Japan's 12 original castle keeps, up by ropeway or chairlift, with views over the city and the Inland Sea.Map ↗
  2. Dogo Onsen HonkanThe grand wooden bathhouse said to have inspired Spirited Away, fully open again after a five-year restoration.Map ↗
  3. Ishite-jiA Shikoku pilgrimage temple with old gates, a pagoda and a cave passage of statues, a short walk from Dogo.Map ↗

Good to know

  • JR Matsuyama and Matsuyama-shi are different stations. The trams link both with the castle and Dogo.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.