Sora to Mori Spa

Matsuyama Castle stands on a large, wooded hill right in the middle of town, with an extensive moat and earth ramparts that dominate the city centre. Unlike many Japanese castles that were destroyed and rebuilt of concrete, Matsuyama Castle remains in its original state of wood and plaster. The castle offers spectacular views of …

Fuwari Beach is a beautiful sandy beach on the northern edge of Matsuyama. Formed of two small coves, it offers an expansive view of Kashima Island and the Seto Inland Sea. Behind the beach are showers, toilets, kiosks, cafés and shops. Popular in summer, it's also a scene of wild beauty during the other …

Masaoka Shiki is revered as the genius behind the revival of haiku and the establishment of its modern form in the Meiji period. As a teenager, he helped to popularise baseball in Japan. He also served as a journalist in China covering the aftermath of the First Sino-Japanese War. This museum, tucked away next …

Dogo Park is the site of the Yuzuki Castle built by the Kono Clan. Only the moat and earth ramparts remain. This charming park is home to a fascinating museum and a variety of delightful birds and other wildlife. The top of the hill in the middle of the park offers a 380-degree panorama …

Sogo Koen Park is located on one of the big hills in the centre of Matsuyama. On the top of the hill is a folly built to look like a European castle. The views from here over the city and the Inland Sea are breathtaking. The park has some elaborate children's play equipment and …

Dogo Onsen Honkan is said to be the model for the spirit bathhouse in the world-famous animation “Spirited Away”. It's also the oldest hot spring in Japan, with a history going back over 3,000 years. A whole section of the main building, the Yushinden, is given over to the imperial family. There are several …

The Museum of Art, Ehime is located in an architecturally significant building within the moat of Matsuyama Castle. It has its own collection of works by Japanese artists and holds frequent special exhibitions covering everything from Japanese animation artwork to classical painters and applied arts. There's always something interesting …

Bansuiso is a large villa, built in the style of a 19th-century Gothic French château. The Earl Sadakoto Hisamatsu, a descendant of the Matsuyama clan, built it in 1922 as a second home. Having lived in France, Hisamatsu wanted to impress with Western style, and he hired architect Shichirō Giko to achieve it. The …

Botchan Theater presents musicals based on local historical themes. These semi-serious stories involve large doses of romance and comedy, with high-quality song and dance interludes. Shows start at 10:30 and 14:00 (see the schedule for details). A free shuttle bus runs from Matsuyama JR and Shieki …

Ehime Children’s Playground is a huge fantasy "castle" for children, set in a large hilly park dotted with attractions for the young and young at heart. There are things to climb, things to ride, and things to slide down from, many of which are totally free of charge. There are also places to …

A popular attraction found on the route between JR Matsuyama Station and Dogo is the Botchan Train, a diesel-powered replica of the original Iyotetsu steam locomotive, known from Natsume Soseki’s 1906 novel, Botchan. Not to be missed is seeing the Botchan Train engine uncoupled, cranked up on a pivot, and spun around by hand …

The huge Ferris wheel atop the Iyotetsu Takashimaya Department Store goes by the name Kururin. This exciting ride lasts 15 minutes, affording a fantastic view over the whole of Matsuyama including the castle, the mountains and the sea. At dusk, the view is particularly pretty as the city lights come …

Just down Dogo Arcade from Dogo Onsen Honkan is another hot spring bath, Tsubaki no Yu. The bath here is bigger and the ceiling is higher, creating an altogether different …

Tobe was once a separate town to the south of Matsuyama. It's home to many potteries producing ceramics known collectively as Tobe-yaki. These tend to be white with navy blue decoration, although there are many varieties. You can purchase very serviceable tableware for everyday use at the potteries, and you can also try your …

Mitsuhama is the old port area of Matsuyama, facing the island-studded Seto Inland Sea. It's an active fishing port and the morning fish market is an event worth seeing. The dockside is full of boats and cranes, some of which are elegant vintage models. Mitsuhama is one of the few places in Japan where you …

Baishinji sits in a little bay on the Matsuyama coastline, for all the world like a seaside village all of its own. The sandy beach looks across a narrow channel to the dramatic peak of Gogoshima Island. Pretty ferries pass by the beach at frequent intervals presenting a scene of pleasant …

The Iyonada Monogatari Tourist Train departs from JR Matsuyama Station on weekends and holidays. This stylish retro train travels through the beautiful scenery of southwestern Ehime, stopping at scenic towns on the way. Enjoy carefully prepared meals using local ingredients while admiring stunning views of the Seto Inland …

Sora to Mori is a large spa complex housed in a beautiful modern building. There's an extensive selection of indoor and outdoor baths, as well as popular stone sauna baths. The mineral-rich water of the spa feels slippery like lotion, leaving your skin smooth and …

Matsuyama has many small mountains within its boundaries. Mt. Kyogamori is accessed by a trail that goes from behind Taisanji Temple to nearby Takahama. It's an easy walk to the top, passing Buddhist statuary along the way. The peak affords views of the high mountains in the south, the beaches in north Matsuyama, and …