To catch a ferry . . .
What if I told you that there is a non-traditional way of traveling around Japan using an overnight ferry service, would you try it?
That is exactly what I did on this trip. My next stop was Kyoto and although there are many ways to go there, the most interesting option was to take an overnight ferry service from Ehime to Osaka.
The stomach grumbles - I
Wait! Where's the food pictures of the sushi, ramen and tempura? Yes, those are things that I enjoy as well but here are 5 meals that I enjoyed while in Matsuyama. Some are Japanese and some are not. You can also find great food if you know where to look
Iyo - Matsuyama Castle
Japan and castles, there are so many of them, but probably this isn't going to be the first one that everyone thinks of but it should in my opinion. Not to be confused with the other Matsuyama Castle in Okayama, this one is in Ehime Prefecture where I visited in December 2022. It is probably my new favourite castle of Japan due to its scale, beauty of the architecture and its grounds.
Dogo Onsen Shopping Arcade
I just wanted to separate this post from the original Dogo Onsen post as it was getting a little long. The area is like a mini onsen resort town as there are hotels, restaurants and souvenir stores for those staying in the area.
Dogo Onsen
One of the major attractions of Matsuyama is going to be Dogo Onsen. With a history that spans hundreds of years, the building is going to need renovations every now and then. The main building is still open for bathing but the other rooms are closed. There is also 'Asuka no Yu' which is quite beautiful as well.
Matsuyama Iyotetsu Tram Pass
Iyotetsu (short for Iyotetsu Kabushiki Gaisha) or Iyo Railway Co. Ltd is the only transit operator in Matsuyama. You will not miss their distinctive orange colours. I decided that it would be convenient to get a digital pass instead of a physical pass as it would save me some money but I almost regretted that decision. Technology is great when it works but when it doesn’t it can be frustrating.
Next stop, Matsuyama
Matsuyama was the next stop on this trip in 2022. It is one of the four Prefectures in Shikoku which is the smallest of the four main islands of Japan. I wanted to go Matsuyama because I wanted to see Dogo Onsen and also Matsuyama Castle. Later, I found out that there is an overnight passenger ferry service to Osaka which sounded intriguing and thought it would be a fun experience.