A Travel Guide to Matsuyama Castle: An Impregnable Fortress Still Standing from the Edo Period

The “main keep” was rebuilt in 1854 and is the last complete castle structure of the Edo period.
It follows the classic Japanese castle style known as a sotogata tenshu (multi-tiered keep) with three stories and three roof tiers above ground, plus one basement level.
There were said to be 170 castles across Japan in the Edo period, but only 12 remain today, and “Matsuyama Castle” is one of these “12 Original Castle Keeps.”
Including the honmaru (main bailey), the elevation is Approx. 528 ft (161 m), making it the highest hilltop castle among the 12 original keeps.
Don’t miss the spectacular views from the top floor of the main keep, overlooking the Seto Inland Sea and Mt. Ishizuchi, the tallest mountain in western Japan.

“Matsuyama Castle,” built at an elevation of 433 ft (132 m), is easy to reach via the ropeway and lift that run in parallel.
Ride from the base station “Shinonomeguchi” up to the summit station “Chojagahara,” located around the 8th station area, then it’s an Approx. 10-minute walk to the main keep entrance.
The lift lets you feel close to nature, but it’s single-seater.
If you want to ride up while chatting with others, the ropeway is recommended.
On either one, you can enjoy views over the Matsuyama cityscape during the ride.

“Climbing stone walls” are a pair of stone walls that climb up the mountainside and are connected, designed to stop enemies trying to attack from the slopes.
Among the castles with original keeps, climbing stone walls have been confirmed only at Matsuyama Castle and Hikone Castle, making them historically valuable stone walls.
These “climbing stone walls” are said to be a defensive method used by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Korean campaigns when building castles for the Japanese expeditionary forces.
Unfortunately, only part of the north side remains, but the south side remains in an almost complete form.
Don’t miss the “climbing stone walls,” one of the reasons it’s considered an impregnable castle.

Built on the former site of the Matsuyama domain lord’s residence, “Matsuyama Castle Ninomaru Historic Garden” recreates the layout from that time.
The garden is divided into two main areas: the “Citrus and Flower Garden” in the northern half and the “Flowing Water Garden” in the southwest.
Displays include a chisen-style pond garden with a pond and waterfall set against exposed rock outcrops, as well as the remains of the “O-ido” large well discovered through excavation.
It’s designed to evoke wabi-sabi, so a walk here should immerse you in a distinctly Japanese atmosphere.
In 2013, it was recognized as a “Sanctuary of Love” thanks to its beautiful scenery, a preserved anecdote that suggests a romance between a Russian man and a Japanese woman, and its popularity for pre-wedding photo shoots.
Why not take a stroll through this Japanese-style garden as a couple or with your spouse?

If you look closely at the stone walls of Matsuyama Castle, you may occasionally find rare “marks” carved into them.
There are many types, including patterns like dumplings and spirals.
There are various theories as to why these “marks” were added, but they’re believed to be signs used by groups of stoneworkers.
One theory says that in stone-laying work involving multiple groups, the marks helped sort stones by group and define each stoneworker group’s work area, clarifying responsibility.
When you visit Matsuyama Castle, pay attention to the stone walls and have fun searching for these “marks.”

Dogo Onsen Honkan is designated as a National Important Cultural Property and is a magnificent building that conveys a strong sense of history.
It is currently undergoing preservation and restoration work, but the project is being carried out “while remaining open,” so you’ll also want to check out the various events you can only see during this period while bathing is still available.
There are many sightseeing spots nearby, including a shopping street and footbaths, and exploring the area in a yukata is recommended.

“Dogo Onsen Tsubaki no Yu” is the sister bathhouse of “Dogo Onsen Honkan,” which is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
As a public bathhouse, it’s widely loved not only by tourists but also as a relaxing spot for locals.
“Dogo Onsen Tsubaki no Yu” was built in 1953 in nearly the center of Dogo Shopping Street, about a 3-minute walk from “Dogo Onsen Honkan.”
After renovations, it reopened in 2017. Unlike the wooden Honkan, it features a storehouse-style building built in an L-shape.

A facility opened in 2017 as a hub for sharing a new hot spring culture.
With “Ancient Dogo” as its theme, it incorporates architectural styles from the Asuka period, fitting for Dogo Onsen, said to be Japan’s oldest.
You can fully enjoy free-flowing hot spring water straight from the source, with no heating or added water, and it also offers features not found at the Honkan, such as open-air baths.
Several bathing courses are available, and the baths and relaxation rooms you can use vary by course.

The Botchan Train was created based on a steam locomotive that ran for 67 years starting in 1888, shortly after Iyo Railway began operations.
The name “Botchan Train” comes from the fact that characters used it in Natsume Soseki’s novel Botchan. The word “train” was added to the title, and it became popularly known by that name.

The giant ferris wheel “Kururin” has a diameter of 148 ft (45 m) and reaches a height of 279 ft (85 m) from the ground to its highest point.
It has also become a new symbol of Matsuyama.
During the day, you can take in panoramic views of Matsuyama, including Matsuyama Castle rising in the city center, the cluster of hot spring inns in Dogo Onsen, and the Iyo-nada Sea—all from inside the ferris wheel.

A karakuri clock built in 1994 at Houjouen in front of the Dogo Onsen streetcar stop, as part of the 100th anniversary project for the construction of Dogo Onsen Honkan.
It performs in sync with the clock’s sound every hour from 8:00am to 10:00pm (every 30 minutes on weekends and holidays; in March, April, August, and November; during Golden Week; and during the year-end and New Year holidays), giving visitors to Dogo Onsen a lively welcome.

“Original Uwajima Tai-meshi Marusui Honten” is located in Okaido, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. It’s a tai-meshi specialty restaurant with over 100 years of history. It serves “Uwajima tai-meshi,” a local dish from the Uwajima area in southern Ehime.
The signature menu item is “Uwajima tai-meshi.” Fresh sea bream caught in the Uwajima Sea is sliced thin and mixed with the restaurant’s special sauce and a raw egg, then poured over rice.

“Ehime no Shokutaku 1970” is a juice stand in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. It’s known for its unique style where you turn a faucet and “mikan juice” comes out. The shop is located inside Dogo Shopping Street, the arcade connecting “Dogo Onsen” Station and “Dogo Onsen Honkan.”
All juices use citrus from Ehime Prefecture. The signature item is “mikan juice,” which you can choose from 20 different faucets.

“Washoku Miyoshi” is in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. It’s a Japanese restaurant located along Chifunecho-dori in central Matsuyama. It focuses on cooking that brings out ingredient flavors, such as using different dashi depending on the dish.
It’s known for seafood dishes sourced with a focus on wild-caught ingredients, along with Japanese dishes that incorporate seasonal ingredients like vegetables.

A hot spring inn located in the heart of the hot spring town, close to Dogo Onsen Honkan, and the first in Dogo Onsen to feature an open-air bath.
The signature open-air bath is on the 10th floor, with views of Matsuyama Castle and Mt. Ishizuchi.
At night, you can enjoy a soak while gazing at a sky full of stars. Also, the women’s bath offers a rose open-air bath on Saturdays and Sundays from 5:00pm to 10:00pm.

A hot spring inn just a short walk from Dogo Onsen’s popular spot, “Dogo Onsen Honkan.”
From the scenic open-air bath where you can choose between “hot water” and “lukewarm water,” to a spacious large public bath that can accommodate around 100 people, you can fully enjoy the waters of Dogo Onsen, also said to be Japan’s oldest hot spring.

Founded around 1627 in the Edo period. “Dogo Onsen Funaya” is a long-established hot spring ryokan that hosted many writers and famous figures, including the Matsuyama-associated author Natsume Soseki and haiku poet Masaoka Shiki.
Its 58 guest rooms include various types, such as sukiya-style special rooms, Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western rooms, and Western-style rooms.