What to do and see in Matsuyama, Shikoku: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups

April 19, 2022 Natalie Tallman

Discover the best top things to do in Matsuyama, Japan including Hidden Japan Travel, Matsuyama Castle, Dogo Onsengai, Bocchan Wind up Clock, Dogo Park (Ruins of Yuzuki Castle), Dogo Onsen Honkan, Dogo Onsen Tsubaki no Yu, Matsuyama Castle Ropeway / Lift, Bocchan Train, Iyo Railway - Train.
Restaurants in Matsuyama

1. Hidden Japan Travel

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5.0 based on 24 reviews

Hidden Japan Travel

Your passport to real Japan! We run tours in and around Matsuyama on the island of Shikoku - multiday cycling tours, food and culture tours of Matsuyama, cooking lessons in remote valleys, camp gear rental, walking tours of the 88-temple pilgrimage...we show you parts of Japan that are hidden to most. For more information about our tours and for booking, please see our website.

2. Matsuyama Castle

Marunouchi, Matsuyama Ehime Prefecture +81 89-921-4873 http://www.matsuyamajo.jp/
Excellent
49%
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42%
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4.5 based on 2,011 reviews

Matsuyama Castle

Reviewed By BendigoVic - Victoria, Australia

We throughly enjoyed our time spent at Matsuyama Castle, its a long climb but certainly well worth it when you get there and the views are spectacular. The castle remains in its original state which is astonishing given it was built in the 1600s, Just getting there on the chair lift or the cable car is an adventure in itself if you have young children. Its a must visit if you are in the area.

3. Dogo Onsengai

Dogoyunomachi, Matsuyama Ehime Prefecture +81 89-921-5141 [email protected] http://dogo.jp/en
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4.0 based on 938 reviews

Dogo Onsengai

Reviewed By seanliutravel - Taiwan, null

Being the hot springs for 3000 years, it's one of the must-visit places in Matsuyama. The building itself is currently under renovation to not only provide a better experience for visitors in the future but also symbolize the reborn of Dogo Onsen after all these years. Due to the renovation, it currently allows hot springs only without public or private place for resting. It currently costs 420 yen for entry and for you to enjoy the hot springs for an hour or so, and it's also ranked top 5 onsens in Japan. Be sure to experience it for yourself.

4. Bocchan Wind up Clock

Dogoyunomachi, Matsuyama 790-0842 Ehime Prefecture +81 89-948-6555 http://dougoonsen.sakura.ne.jp/sansaku/tokei.html
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4.0 based on 691 reviews

Bocchan Wind up Clock

Reviewed By myonlywan2012 - Singapore, Singapore

Just located opposite the Dogo Onsen Station is the Botchan clock tower. It performed every half an hour and last about 2 minutes. There will always be a crowd waiting for the performance to start. It's worth the wait. The story is based on novel written by Natsume Sōseki in 1906 and the life of young master called Botchan. It is quite amazing to see characters coming alive from the clock. It was so entertaining that we watched it twice. Do enjoy the foot bath which is just beside the clock.

5. Dogo Park (Ruins of Yuzuki Castle)

Dogokoen, Matsuyama 790-0857 Ehime Prefecture +81 89-941-1480 http://www.dogokouen.jp
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4.0 based on 265 reviews

Dogo Park (Ruins of Yuzuki Castle)

6. Dogo Onsen Honkan

5-6 Dogoyunomachi, Matsuyama 790-0842 Ehime Prefecture +81 89-921-5141 https://dogo.jp/onsen/honkan
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4.0 based on 1,577 reviews

Dogo Onsen Honkan

Dogo Onsen Honkan is one of the oldest Hot Spring in Japan and has a history of 3000 years. And Dogo Onsen Honkan has a \

7. Dogo Onsen Tsubaki no Yu

19-22 Dogoyunomachi, Matsuyama 790-0842 Ehime Prefecture +81 89-935-6586 http://www.city.matsuyama.ehime.jp/kanko/kankoguide/kankomeisho/dogoonsen/honkan/tubaki.html
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4.0 based on 162 reviews

Dogo Onsen Tsubaki no Yu

8. Matsuyama Castle Ropeway / Lift

3-2-46 Okaido, Matsuyama 790-0004 Ehime Prefecture +81 89-921-4873 http://www.matsuyamajo.jp/ropeway/
Excellent
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4.0 based on 798 reviews

Matsuyama Castle Ropeway / Lift

Reviewed By LevTeo - Singapore, Singapore

Fees for taking the tram and ropeway up Matsuyama castle are the same. Total duration about 10minutes. The view up the hill was so scenic and refreshing. Much better then squeezing sardines into the tram

9. Bocchan Train

Matsuyama 790-0012 Ehime Prefecture +81 89-948-3323 http://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/botchan/
Excellent
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4.0 based on 795 reviews

Bocchan Train

Reviewed By PeterthePauper - Ulsan, South Korea

Using Matsuyama as a base for a 5-day visit to Shikoku, I set aside my final day for "seeing the sights" of Matsuyama. Armed with a 1-day tram ticket, I worked my from Matsuyama City Station across the city to Dogo Onsen Station, taking in the likes of Ropeway Street and Matsuyama Castle on the way. The original Iyo Railway (Iyotetsu) was established in 1888 as the 1st railway in Shikoku and only the 3rd private railway in the whole of Japan. The original steam trains (immortalised in Natsume Soseki's 1906 novel - 'Botchan'), were decommissioned after the Iyotetsu introduced electric cars in the 1930's. With Soseki's growing status (as the greatest writer in modern Japanese history), the Botchan Train' was reborn in 2001, with diesel replicas of the original steam locomotives, which to any purist railway buff (like me!) this should be a cardinal sin. After a day of frequently catching glimpses of this anomaly clanking its' way through the streets of Matsuyama ..... turning heads, smiles and waves ..... I just had to give it a go! Getting to Dogo Onsen just before the last Botchan train departure in late afternoon, I climbed aboard with no idea where the train was headed. The two 4-wheeled cars are equipped with fairly basic accommodation; hard wooden benches down either side of the car. Although the two cars probably hold a total of about 36 passengers, I was the only passengers on this last train and was somewhat surprised to find its' final destination was actually Komachi Station. Not to worry ..... just hop on a tram to my next destination (Diamond Cross). It may be a "diesel in disguise" ..... but what a delight!

10. Iyo Railway - Train

Matsuyama 790-8587 Ehime Prefecture +81 89-948-3329 http://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/information/#information_rail
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4.0 based on 325 reviews

Iyo Railway - Train

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