Ehime｜Discover the 138-Year-Old "Mikan Train" and Soseki Natsume's Botchan Train

Compared to Hiroshima, which boasts Japan's largest streetcar network, Matsuyama's Iyo Railway is a charmingly compact and efficient system. Due to the limitations of Matsuyama Station, it cannot use connected trains like Hiroshima. Instead, it developed the Moha 2100 and 5000 series single-car low-floor trains, offering highly frequent services to cater to the city's 510,000 residents. If you're lucky, you might spot the ultra-retro Botchan Train running through the streets. This train, introduced in 2001, is inspired by Soseki Natsume's novel "Botchan" and recreates the steam locomotive from a century ago. The Botchan Train operates only on weekends and holidays, with limited schedules, and requires a separate ticket for boarding. In the novel "Botchan," the literary giant Soseki Natsume describes frequently riding streetcars resembling matchboxes. Over 138 years of evolution, Iyo Railway now operates five lines within Matsuyama City, connecting Dogo Onsen, commercial districts, tourist attractions, and JR stations. Gone are the days of dull black or green matchbox-like trains; today's trains are painted in vibrant orange, representing Ehime's famous citrus fruits. Whether you board the latest Moha 5000 series or the 2100 series, you'll find spacious, modern, and clean interiors that have transformed into futuristic carriages over the past century. The Iyo Group is a major conglomerate that integrates streetcars, intercity buses, department stores, tourism, and real estate. Its founder, Nobuchika Kobayashi, also established Iyo Bank and Shikoku Electric Power, making him a key driver of Matsuyama's economy. The streetcar system offers a 1-day pass, and the Shikoku JR Pass allows unlimited rides. 🚗 From JR Matsuyama Station, it's just a one-minute walk to transfer to the Iyo Railway.