Linda Liao's Reviews Page 32/36

Dogo Shopping Arcade isn't very large, but it's packed with unique shops, making it a great place to browse at a leisurely pace and hunt for finds. You can find almost every Ehime specialty product you can think of here, so shopping is very convenient.

Imabari towels are also well worth buying. Known for being soft on the skin and highly absorbent, they're both practical and high-quality. They're great for personal use and also make a distinctive gift.

Ehime is a famous citrus-growing region in Japan, producing all kinds of citrus fruits. Not only are there many varieties, but each one has its own distinctive aroma and flavor, making you want to try them all.

The most unique experience of the trip was tasting mikan juice flowing directly from a faucet. Just gently turn the faucet, and bright golden juice flows out. It was novel, fun, and a delightful surprise. Each variety of juice had its own flavor—some were refreshingly sweet and tart, while others were richly sweet and fragrant. Every sip was full of Ehime's distinctive local flavor.

Matsuyama Castle is one of Japan's 12 remaining original castle keeps and is well worth a visit. This time, I came specifically during cherry blossom season and took the single-seat chairlift up the mountain. Looking down from the chairlift, I could admire the pale pink blossoms up close from above the treetops, which put me in a particularly good mood.

After reaching the top, the majestic keep of Matsuyama Castle came into view. Matsuyama Castle was built in the early Edo period on the summit of Mount Katsuyama and is one of the few castles in Japan that still retains an Edo-period keep. From the top of the keep, you can also look out over downtown Matsuyama and the Seto Inland Sea, making it an excellent spot to enjoy the city views.

Dōgo Onsen is one of Japan's oldest hot springs, and its old wooden architecture easily brings to mind the bathhouse from Spirited Away.

The Dōgo Onsen Honkan we see today mainly took shape after a major renovation in 1894. With over a century of history, it has also become an important cultural building in Japan.

Starting in 2019, Dōgo Onsen Honkan underwent extensive preservation and restoration work and did not fully reopen until 2024. In addition to restoring the old building, the renovation added modern features such as earthquake resistance and air conditioning, making it more comfortable for visitors.

After the renovation, although the facilities are now more complete, it has lost a little of the nostalgic atmosphere unique to an old hot spring. Ticket prices have also been adjusted, with the basic bathing fee increasing from JPY 460 to JPY 700. I guess that's the price of changing times!

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.

When sightseeing in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, don't miss the retro Botchan Train. Full of Meiji-era charm, this train is famous because of Natsume Soseki's classic novel Botchan. It travels slowly around Dogo Onsen, Okaido, and Matsuyama City Station, accompanied by the gentle sound of its whistle, making you feel as though you've traveled back a hundred years. You're more likely to see it on weekends and holidays, and its retro design has also become a popular sight for locals and tourists eager to take photos〜

Cat lovers should definitely take a stroll along Cat Alley and enjoy looking for cats along the way!

Most of the cats here are friendly and aren't camera-shy, but remember to tread lightly, keep your voice down, and avoid sudden movements that might scare them.

As you slowly follow the winding path, keep a close eye on your surroundings and you'll discover many cat-themed creations, such as cute little cat stones and stone paintings, scattered throughout the alleys and tucked into corners. You may find a new surprise every few steps that brings a smile to your face.

This time, I chose to take the SEA PASEO cruise ferry from Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture to Kure in Hiroshima Prefecture for sightseeing. Compared with regular transportation, traveling by boat felt more leisurely and relaxing, and I could enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea along the way.

The SEA PASEO is quite new, with an overall calm color scheme and very comfortable seats. There is also a small shop on board where you can buy drinks and snacks. The counter seats even have power outlets, making them convenient whether you want to relax, enjoy the scenery, or get some work done.

The boat was very steady throughout the trip, with hardly any noticeable rocking. Even people who usually worry about seasickness can enjoy the journey without concern.

Ningyocho Imahan is a long-established upscale sukiyaki and shabu-shabu restaurant founded in 1895, with a history spanning more than a century. This time, I visited the location in Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro, ready to enjoy a delicious wagyu meal.

The food was not only delicious but also beautifully presented. The slices of wagyu from Kagoshima had evenly distributed marbling and an especially tempting pink color. Just seeing them brought to the table was enough to whet my appetite.

Since it's an upscale restaurant, attentive tableside service is usually provided. Guests only need to sit back comfortably and watch the staff skillfully cook the ingredients. Once the meat and other ingredients are cooked to perfection, you can elegantly dig in!

Located on the 3rd floor of the Ueno shopping complex is Pensta, a specialty store featuring the Suica penguin that is popular with railway fans.

Since JR East announced that the Suica mascot penguin, which has been with everyone for 25 years, will be retiring in 2026, Japan has seen a rush to buy related merchandise. Many people are taking this last opportunity to visit official merchandise stores in search of cute penguin items.

Besides selling all kinds of penguin merchandise, the Ueno store also has a cute themed cafe where seats are always hard to come by. If you happen to be in the Ueno area, consider setting aside some time to browse Pensta, pick out a few penguin items you like, and take home a keepsake of this cute character that many people grew up with〜