Matsuyama Castle and other Matsuyama, Japan Things to Do Tips

This ancient fortification was completed by Katosama-no-suke Yoshiaki in 1627. The parts destroyed by fire or bombardment over the centuries have been completely restored in the original wooden construction. Being situated on a hill and surrounded by cherry trees, it offers fine views of Matsuyama and is a popular picnic spot for Japanese families. Entrance fee for the castle is 500 Yen, but there is not very much to see inside except for some Samurai armors.
Unfortunately, the tower was under renovation at our visit, but it's nevertheless worthwile spending about an hour on the hill, admiring the castle and the views. It's really a beautiful place!

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Phone: 089-921-4873
Directions: Matsuyama-jo is situated on a hill in the centre of the city, it can be reached on foot or by cable car.

Dogo Onsen is one of Japan's oldest and most famous hot springs, located in the outskirts of Matsuyama. Main attraction is the Dogo Onsen Honkan, a Meiji Period, wooden public bathhouse, dating from 1894. Unfortunately, we were too cowardly to go in and take a bath, as we have never been to a public japanese bath and there were absolutely no signs in English. Maybe it's best to stay in a hotel near the Onsen, it seems they provide their guests with the necessary accessories (we saw many Japanese people with the same small baskets, towels, and kimonos).
A basic bath costs 300 Yen.
The Dogo Onsen Area can easily be reached by tram, there is also a nice little shopping arcade in front of the Dogo Onsen Honkan.

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Phone: 089-921-5141
Address: Dogo Onsen Area, Matsuyama
Directions: Take the tram to Dogo Onsen (it's the last stop), then go through the shopping arcade.

Just a few minutes walk from the Dogo Onsen Honkan, a long flight of steps leads up to the Isaniha-jinja. Built in 1667 with a central tower in the Chinese style and adorned with intricate carvings, it is one of only three shrines in Japan to show the architecture devoted to Hachiman, a god of war.

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Directions: Southeast of the Honkan

Ishite means "stone hand", from a legend about a Matsuyama lord born with a stone in his hand. The Ishite temple was built in 728 and is No. 51 of the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku. It is noted for its fine Kamakura architecture. It has a beautiful three-storey pagoda and is overlooked by a Buddha figure on the hill.
The atmosphere in this temple is particularly peaceful, also due to the setting at the foot of the hill among trees.

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Directions: The signs to Ishite are not very clear, walk on the left side of the quite busy road out of town, just when you think you've walked too far there's a tiny bridge over the small canal with a japanese sign, here turn left.

Kurita Chodo, a close friend of Kobayashi Issa, constructed this small edifice in 1790 to perform the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Its garden is really beautiful. Part of the structure was restored to preserve its original form and the site was renamed "Koshin-an Historical Garden".
This is a sweet little place, peaceful and quiet. We were the only tourists there, maybe because it's not easy to find (haha). A friendly man we asked for directions walked all the way - approximately 15 min. - with us, talking in Japanese all the time! It didn't seem to bother him that we didn't understand anything of what he was saying!

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Phone: 089-915-2204
Directions: According the the tourist map, it should be somewhere between Komachi train and tram stop and the Freiburg Street?!

If you don't want (or dare) to take a "real" bath at the Dogo Onsen Honkan, at least give your tired feet a rest and dip them in the Foot Bath at Hojoen Square. The hot water that is spewed from a Meiji Era iron pot is unbelievably relaxing!!

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Address: Dogo Onsen Area
Directions: Between the tram stop and the shopping arcade

Erected in the Hojoen Square in front of Dogo Onsen Station, the Karakuri Clock features lovely little figures reenacting a scene from the novel "Botchan" every hour from 8am to 10 pm.
This can be best admired while bathing your feet in the hot foot bath! :-)

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Directions: Next to the foot bath in front of the shopping arcade at Dogo Onsen Station

This beautiful park is especially enchanting in spring, when the cherry trees are in full bloom. Small stone bridges, water and beautifully shaped trees - this idyllic picture is only disturbed by the blue plastic blankets the park authority spreads under the cherry trees in spring time, when whole japanese families come to celebrate the cherry blossom. There are food stalls where you can buy snacks, soft drinks and alcohol, and you can even rent a barbecue! So in the afternoon the peaceful park becomes a very popular and loud hang-out place, but the atmosphere is great!

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Address: Dogo Onsen Area, Matsuyama
Directions: The Dogo Park is very close to the Dogo station.

The shopping arcade is a good place to spend some time on a rainy day. Here you can find restaurants, cafés, shops and the famous multicoloured gambling parlors.

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Directions: at the city station