Matsuyama (松山）

Matsuyama is one of four prefectures on the island of Shikoku. Shikoku is the smallest of the four main islands of Japan and close to many destinations by rail, air, bus and ferry. It is an approximately 4 hour journey from Osaka by both the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen and the Shiokaze Limited Express train with a transfer point in Okayama. My trip in Dec 2022 was via ANA from Miyakojima but it would be nice to do the rail journey next time. What attracted me to Matsuyama is Dogo Onsen and the Iyo Matsuyama Castle.

Dogo Onsen Honkan (main) as of Apr 2023 is still being renovated. The male and female bathing areas are open but the rest of the building is not. Not far from there is the Dogo Onsen Annex ‘Asuka no Yu’ which is open to the public and also very pretty. Matsuyama Castle is located on the top of a flat top hill and tickets can be purchased to ride a gondola or single person chair lift if you did not wish to walk. The castle grounds are open to the public and free but a separate entrance fee is required to go inside the castle.