Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshin, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshin, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
July 7, 2026
Matsuyama is the capital of Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku, Japan, and one of the most easily accessible tourist cities for travelers from Hong Kong and Taiwan exploring Shikoku. It boasts Dogo Onsen, known as Japan's oldest hot spring, Matsuyama Castle (one of the twelve remaining original castles), and a retro Botchan Train and streetcars, making it possible to fully enjoy Matsuyama's main attractions in a 2-night, 3-day trip. This article will provide a detailed introduction to Matsuyama's tourist spots, Dogo Onsen, and a resort trip to Shikoku.
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Matsuyama is located in the northwestern part of Shikoku, a city with a mild climate facing the Seto Inland Sea. It is suitable for travel throughout the year, and it is easily accessible from Matsuyama Airport to JR Matsuyama Station in about 15 minutes, to Matsuyama City Station in about 20 minutes, and to Dogo Onsen in about 40 minutes.
Dogo Onsen Main Building is known as the setting for Natsume Soseki's novel "Botchan," and is also sometimes cited as one of the models for the bathhouse that appears in Hayao Miyazaki's film "Spirited Away."
Currently, there are no regular direct flights to Matsuyama from Hong Kong or Taiwan. Therefore, it is common to travel to Shikoku via Osaka (Kansai Airport) or Tokyo, using the Shinkansen, limited express trains, or domestic flights.
| Departure | Recommended Route | Estimated travel time | Recommended Travelers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong/Taiwan → Osaka | Kansai Airport → Shin-Osaka → Okayama → Limited Express Shiokaze → Matsuyama | Approx. 5 to 6 hours | For those who want to enjoy sightseeing and shopping in the Kansai region |
| Hong Kong/Taiwan → Tokyo | Tokyo → Okayama (Shinkansen) → Matsuyama (Limited Express) | Approx. 7 hour | For those who want to experience the Shinkansen in Japan for the first time. |
| Osaka/Hiroshima → Matsuyama | Hiroshima Port → Matsuyama Tourist Port (high-speed ferry) | about 1 hour 10 minutes | For those who want to enjoy a Seto Inland Sea cruise |
Upon arriving in Matsuyama, the Iyo Railway's trams and Botchan Train will be the main modes of transportation within the city. One-day passes are available, and you can access Dogo Onsen and various tourist spots from JR Matsuyama Station and Matsuyama Airport by limousine bus or tram.
If you want to save on transportation costs, the Matsuyama City Tram One-Day Pass is recommended. It allows unlimited rides on the trams, making it easy to efficiently visit tourist attractions such as Matsuyama Castle, Okaido, and Dogo Onsen.
The Botchan Train is a retro-style steam locomotive-themed sightseeing train, and requires a separate ticket. Since the number of trains is limited, be sure to check the timetable on the Iyo Railway official website in advance.
Iyo Railway Official Website:https://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/
Dogo Onsen is said to have a history of approximately 3,000 years and is one of Japan's most famous hot springs, even mentioned in the "Nihon Shoki" (Chronicles of Japan). The spring water is an alkaline simple hot spring, and its soft texture and the smooth feeling it leaves on the skin make it popular with many travelers.
Dogo Onsen Main Building is one of Matsuyama's most representative tourist attractions.
This inn is characterized by its imposing three-story wooden structure, and a time-telling drum sounds at regular intervals from the rooftop's Zhenlu Pavilion. After a long period of preservation and repair work, it has reopened to the public, and visitors can enjoy a variety of bathing plans.
If you want to avoid crowds, early mornings or weekday afternoons are recommended.
Official site:https://dogo.jp/
This museum is themed around Ryotaro Shiba's masterpiece, "Clouds Above the Hill."
You can learn about the Akiyama brothers, Masaoka Shiki, and Matsuyama during the Meiji era. It is located in Ichibancho, about an 8-minute walk from the Matsuyama Castle Ropeway station, and about a 2-minute walk from Okaido, which can be reached by streetcar from Dogo Onsen.
Along the "Dogo Haikara-dori Shopping Street," which stretches from Dogo Onsen Station to the Dogo Onsen Main Building, you can enjoy mandarin orange soft serve ice cream, Ehime mandarin orange-related products, Botchan Dango, and more.
Additionally, there's a free footbath in front of Dogo Onsen Station, allowing you to easily enjoy the hot springs in between sightseeing. It's a recommended spot even for those who don't plan to use the public bath.
Matsuyama Castle is one of the twelve remaining original castles in Japan, and it is located on the summit of Mount Katsuyama in the center of Matsuyama City.
It can be easily reached by ropeway or chairlift, making it popular with the elderly and families with children.
Inside the castle tower, you can see exhibits on swords, armor, and the history of the castle's construction, as well as the defensive features of the time, such as the multi-layered gate structure. From the tower, you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Matsuyama city and the Seto Inland Sea.
Official site:https://www.matsuyamajo.jp/
This is a popular glamping resort located in Shimanto Town, Kochi Prefecture.
It features a large dome tent with a view of the beautiful starry sky of Shimanto, and is equipped with clean toilets and showers for men and women separately.
Guests can use the pool for free and enjoy a BBQ featuring local Kochi ingredients such as Niida rice and Shimanto pork.
This is a luxury resort villa located in the heart of the Seto Inland Sea.
Surrounded by the sparkling blue sea, you can enjoy marine activities such as sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Additionally, you can enjoy marshmallow roasting and free bicycle rentals within the facility.
BBQ grills are provided, so you can bring your own ingredients and enjoy a meal at your leisure.
While general admission to the baths is usually on a walk-in basis, advance reservations are recommended for plans that include a rest area or private room. During peak seasons, it can get crowded, so using the facilities early in the morning or on weekday afternoons is recommended for a more comfortable experience.
Major tourist spots and train stations have signs in Chinese and English. Shops in the Dogo shopping district are also accustomed to serving international travelers, so you can feel at ease. Offline maps and translation apps will make things even more convenient.
Shikoku's appeal lies in its uncrowded atmosphere, abundant nature, and hot springs. It's ideal for those who want to enjoy a relaxed trip. On the other hand, Kansai offers plenty of shopping and urban sightseeing, allowing you to enjoy a lively atmosphere.
By using the access information in this article, you can efficiently enjoy sightseeing in Matsuyama. Matsuyama's charm lies not only in Dogo Onsen, but also in the fact that you can experience the history and culture unique to the Seto Inland Sea all at once.
For first-time visitors to Matsuyama, I recommend exploring Matsuyama Castle, Okaido Street, and Dogo Onsen, and if you have extra time, be sure to visit the Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
