Best Travel Guide Matsuyama | ArrivalGuides.com

MatsuyamaGuide was updated: 2024-08-20

Set against a backdrop of historical buildings, Matsuyama is a vibrant city of living traditions. Here, haiku poetry still holds a significant place in daily life. With a jam-packed calendar of seasonal festivals, visitors are guaranteed to find something captivating to experience all year round. Getting around the city is easy with a network of vintage trams and steam trains at your service. In addition, Matsuyama boasts miles of sandy beaches, which provide a scenic view of the Seto Inland Sea, filled with beautiful islands.

Do & See

Matsuyama is a compact city with a wide choice of things to do and see, from galleries and museums to beaches, historic buildings and parks. Be sure to allow plenty of time for all.

Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle stands on a large, wooded hill right in the middle of town, with an extensive moat and earth ramparts that dominate the city centre. Unlike many Japanese castles that were destroyed and rebuilt of concrete, Matsuyama Castle remains in its original state of wood and plaster. The castle offers spectacular views of the city, mountains and sea, particularly from the top of the keep. Matsuyama Castle houses a fascinating collection of samurai weapons and armour and information about the history and structure of the castle.

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Fuwari Beach

Fuwari Beach is a beautiful sandy beach on the northern edge of Matsuyama. Formed of two small coves, it offers an expansive view of Kashima Island and the Seto Inland Sea. Behind the beach are showers, toilets, kiosks, cafés and shops. Popular in summer, it's also a scene of wild beauty during the other seasons.

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The Shiki Museum

Masaoka Shiki is revered as the genius behind the revival of haiku and the establishment of its modern form in the Meiji period. As a teenager, he helped to popularise baseball in Japan. He also served as a journalist in China covering the aftermath of the First Sino-Japanese War. This museum, tucked away next to a cemetery, is a reconstruction of the house where Shiki lived, and covers every aspect of his short but active life.

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Dogo Park

Dogo Park is the site of the Yuzuki Castle built by the Kono Clan. Only the moat and earth ramparts remain. This charming park is home to a fascinating museum and a variety of delightful birds and other wildlife. The top of the hill in the middle of the park offers a 380-degree panorama of Matsuyama.

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Sogo Koen Park

Sogo Koen Park is located on one of the big hills in the centre of Matsuyama. On the top of the hill is a folly built to look like a European castle. The views from here over the city and the Inland Sea are breathtaking. The park has some elaborate children's play equipment and various flower gardens. It's home to numerous cats.

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Dogo Onsen Honkan

Dogo Onsen Honkan is said to be the model for the spirit bathhouse in the world-famous animation “Spirited Away”. It's also the oldest hot spring in Japan, with a history going back over 3,000 years. A whole section of the main building, the Yushinden, is given over to the imperial family. There are several baths and lounges offering more or less luxurious service. Feel free to walk in off the street and enjoy a dip in Japan's oldest spa.

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