Matsuyama Castle | Review by 黃國棟

When visiting Matsuyama in Ehime, of course you have to check out the famous Dōgo Onsen Honkan! It is one of Japan’s oldest hot springs and one of Matsuyama’s most iconic attractions. The most eye-catching feature is this three-story wooden building, which has a very distinctive exterior. It becomes even more atmospheric in the evening when the lights come on, and it’s truly beautiful!

It is also said to be one of the inspirations for Yubaba’s bathhouse in Spirited Away, so it’s no wonder it feels like stepping into an animated world! It also has deep ties to Natsume Sōseki’s novel Botchan.

Inside Dōgo Onsen Honkan are baths such as Kami-no-Yu and Tama-no-Yu. You can buy a ticket to enjoy the hot springs, but quite a few people were already in line when I visited in the evening. If you want to bathe, I recommend checking the available bathing plans and wait times in advance.

Across from the main building is Dōgo Shopping Arcade, where you can browse plenty of food and souvenirs, including Ehime citrus products, orange desserts, and Imabari towels. It’s really hard to resist shopping as you walk along. Nearby, you’ll also find Dōgo Onsen Station, the Botchan Clock, the Botchan Train, footbaths, and Dogo Park, so you can visit them all together.

Even if you’re not planning to bathe, I still highly recommend coming here for a walk and some photos while taking in the atmosphere of an old Japanese hot spring town. It’s a worthwhile stop to include on a trip to Shikoku!

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 visiting Ehime Prefecture in Japan, besides enjoying the beautiful scenery, I also highly recommend making time for a trip to Tobe Zoo! The zoo makes good use of the natural terrain, with lush greenery and a wide variety of animals. The entire grounds are very clean and comfortable to explore.

Admission is inexpensive, and the zoo is a manageable size, so you won't get too tired from walking. You can take your time and see everything in about 2–3 hours. Strolling around while watching the animals is also great exercise! If you bring children, you can easily spend most of the day here and enjoy a delicious meal at one of the restaurants inside the zoo. The most unique activity is buying fish food from a vending machine to feed the seals. Watching them eat up close is really fun!

It's about a 30-minute bus ride from central Matsuyama, so it's fairly convenient to get to. If you're traveling in Ehime and looking for a place that's good for families and a relaxing walk, this zoo is well worth adding to your itinerary!