Top Things to do in Ehime Prefecture
Top 7 Mass Transportation Systems in Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku
Discover the best top things to do in Ehime Prefecture, Japan including Kashima Tosen, Bocchan Train, Iyo Railway - Train, Iyo Railway - Bus, Uwajima Bus, Sekizen Ferry, Setouchi Bus.
Restaurants in Ehime Prefecture
1. Kashima Tosen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
2. Bocchan Train
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 795 reviews
Reviewed By PeterthePauper - Ulsan, South Korea
Using Matsuyama as a base for a 5-day visit to Shikoku, I set aside my final day for "seeing the sights" of Matsuyama. Armed with a 1-day tram ticket, I worked my from Matsuyama City Station across the city to Dogo Onsen Station, taking in the likes of Ropeway Street and Matsuyama Castle on the way. The original Iyo Railway (Iyotetsu) was established in 1888 as the 1st railway in Shikoku and only the 3rd private railway in the whole of Japan. The original steam trains (immortalised in Natsume Soseki's 1906 novel - 'Botchan'), were decommissioned after the Iyotetsu introduced electric cars in the 1930's. With Soseki's growing status (as the greatest writer in modern Japanese history), the Botchan Train' was reborn in 2001, with diesel replicas of the original steam locomotives, which to any purist railway buff (like me!) this should be a cardinal sin. After a day of frequently catching glimpses of this anomaly clanking its' way through the streets of Matsuyama ..... turning heads, smiles and waves ..... I just had to give it a go! Getting to Dogo Onsen just before the last Botchan train departure in late afternoon, I climbed aboard with no idea where the train was headed. The two 4-wheeled cars are equipped with fairly basic accommodation; hard wooden benches down either side of the car. Although the two cars probably hold a total of about 36 passengers, I was the only passengers on this last train and was somewhat surprised to find its' final destination was actually Komachi Station. Not to worry ..... just hop on a tram to my next destination (Diamond Cross). It may be a "diesel in disguise" ..... but what a delight!
