Top Things to do in Matsuyama
What to do and see in Matsuyama, Shikoku: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
Discover the best top things to do in Matsuyama, Japan including Hidden Japan Travel, Matsuyama Castle, Dogo Onsengai, Bocchan Wind up Clock, Dogo Park (Ruins of Yuzuki Castle), Dogo Onsen Honkan, Dogo Onsen Tsubaki no Yu, Matsuyama Castle Ropeway / Lift, Bocchan Train, Iyo Railway - Train.
Restaurants in Matsuyama
1. Hidden Japan Travel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Your passport to real Japan! We run tours in and around Matsuyama on the island of Shikoku - multiday cycling tours, food and culture tours of Matsuyama, cooking lessons in remote valleys, camp gear rental, walking tours of the 88-temple pilgrimage...we show you parts of Japan that are hidden to most. For more information about our tours and for booking, please see our website.
2. Matsuyama Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,011 reviews
Reviewed By BendigoVic - Victoria, Australia
We throughly enjoyed our time spent at Matsuyama Castle, its a long climb but certainly well worth it when you get there and the views are spectacular. The castle remains in its original state which is astonishing given it was built in the 1600s, Just getting there on the chair lift or the cable car is an adventure in itself if you have young children. Its a must visit if you are in the area.
3. Dogo Onsengai
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 938 reviews
Reviewed By seanliutravel - Taiwan, null
Being the hot springs for 3000 years, it's one of the must-visit places in Matsuyama. The building itself is currently under renovation to not only provide a better experience for visitors in the future but also symbolize the reborn of Dogo Onsen after all these years. Due to the renovation, it currently allows hot springs only without public or private place for resting. It currently costs 420 yen for entry and for you to enjoy the hot springs for an hour or so, and it's also ranked top 5 onsens in Japan. Be sure to experience it for yourself.
4. Bocchan Wind up Clock
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 691 reviews
Reviewed By myonlywan2012 - Singapore, Singapore
Just located opposite the Dogo Onsen Station is the Botchan clock tower. It performed every half an hour and last about 2 minutes. There will always be a crowd waiting for the performance to start. It's worth the wait. The story is based on novel written by Natsume Sōseki in 1906 and the life of young master called Botchan. It is quite amazing to see characters coming alive from the clock. It was so entertaining that we watched it twice. Do enjoy the foot bath which is just beside the clock.
5. Dogo Park (Ruins of Yuzuki Castle)
6. Dogo Onsen Honkan
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,577 reviews
Dogo Onsen Honkan is one of the oldest Hot Spring in Japan and has a history of 3000 years. And Dogo Onsen Honkan has a \
7. Dogo Onsen Tsubaki no Yu
8. Matsuyama Castle Ropeway / Lift
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 798 reviews
Reviewed By LevTeo - Singapore, Singapore
Fees for taking the tram and ropeway up Matsuyama castle are the same. Total duration about 10minutes. The view up the hill was so scenic and refreshing. Much better then squeezing sardines into the tram
9. 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!
