All Reviews of Dogo Park (Yuzuki Castle Ruins)

When visiting Dōgo Onsen in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, you can also stop by Dogo Park for a walk in addition to enjoying the hot springs! This park was developed on the nationally designated historic site of the Yuzuki Castle Ruins. Although most of the former castle is no longer standing, traces of its history remain, and you can get a sense of the old castle as you stroll through the park.

The park isn’t very large. If you take a leisurely walk along the paths to the observation deck on higher ground, you can look out over Matsuyama. On a clear day, you can even see Matsuyama Castle, and the view is quite nice! The Yuzuki Castle Museum doesn’t have a lot of exhibits, but the guides are very enthusiastic, adding a friendly touch to this historical visit.

Overall, this is a great place to spend a little time walking, enjoying the scenery, and experiencing Matsuyama’s history and relaxed atmosphere. If you’re planning a trip to Dōgo Onsen, you can easily stop by without spending too much time and add another historic site to your visit!

When you visit Matsuyama, don't just focus on Matsuyama Castle!
Near Dōgo Onsen, there's also the historic Yuzuki Castle Ruins.

This was once the residence of the Kōno clan and witnessed centuries of Iyo history. The castle buildings are long gone, but as you stroll through the park, you can still see earthen ramparts, stone walls, and traces of the old castle. Walking through the quiet greenery, it almost feels like you've slipped back into the Middle Ages.

The best part is that there are relatively few visitors, so the atmosphere is peaceful and pleasant. There's also a museum nearby where you can learn more about Yuzuki Castle's history and even collect a castle stamp and castle card!

If you're visiting Matsuyama, consider stopping by to discover this understated historical treasure hidden beneath the bustle of Matsuyama Castle.

Dogo Park is close to the Dogo Onsen shopping street. You can usually see many local residents walking and chatting here, giving it a relaxed atmosphere. We visited in early spring this time, before the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

There are also many cute little shops around the park. That day, we casually stopped by Yukemuri Cafe to take a break and escape the heat. The cafe's seating area is on the second floor, and the interior has a retro style. Sitting by the window and looking through the gridded window frame, we could see the street and the hot spring district. As we enjoyed our food and quietly gazed outside, the fatigue that had built up during the trip seemed to slowly fade away.

If you come to Ehime Prefecture, you really have to take a walk around this National Historic Site, Yuzuki Castle Ruins.
It’s been turned into an urban park, but you can still see the moat and the remnants of the old castle.
And once you get off the train at Dogo Park Station, it’s only a 2–3 minute walk.
Definitely worth coming to soak up the historic atmosphere of this park!

This big green park used to be Yuzuki Castle, home of the medieval Iyo Kono clan.
The castle has a 250-year history. Even though there’s no main keep, the moat and earthen ramparts are still here, and they’ve even reconstructed a samurai residence.
Highly recommend coming here for a stroll.