Things to do in Matsuyama

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Ehime Prefecture

Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle, also known asKinki CastleandKatsuyama Castle. To distinguish it from otherBitchu Matsuyama Castlein Japan, it is also calledBitchu Matsuyama Castle. Located in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, it is a historic mountain castle built between 1602 and 1628. The castle sits on the top of Katsuyama Bridge, at an altitude of approx. 132 m, offering an ideal view overlooking downtown Matsuyama and theSeto Inland Sea. Visitors can choose to reach the castle by cable car or by walking along the mountain trail; the scenery along the way is beautiful, and is even more charming when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring. It is famous for its well-preserved architecture and rich history and culture. The castle houses a museum displaying exhibits related to the castle's history and the Sengoku period of Japan. The main keep is a must-visit for tourists, featuring traditional architectural styles and exquisite woodwork inside.

2026 Global 50 - Hot Springs Attractions

Dogo Onsen Honkan

Dogo Onsen Honkan is located in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. It is a public hot spring bath with a history of 100 years. It attracts tourists with its unique Meiji-era architectural style and rich cultural heritage. It is recommended to arrive in the morning to avoid the peak flow of people and enjoy a peaceful bathing experience. The museum offers a variety of bathing pools with moderate water temperature and rich minerals. The bell tower at the entrance is a landmark building. It is recommended to take photos as a souvenir. The museum provides Japanese yukata rental services to experience traditional Japanese bathing culture. After bathing, you can also enjoy local citrus juice in the rest area. When playing, please note that taking photos is prohibited in the museum, and keep quiet to respect other tourists. It is recommended to bring your own towels and toiletries. Although the museum provides rentals, it is more convenient to bring your own. There are many traditional shops and restaurants near the hot springs. It is recommended to try the local sea bream rice and citrus desserts. When leaving, you may wish to take a walk in the nearby Dogo Park to experience the natural scenery of Matsuyama.

No. 2 of Hot Springs Attractions in Ehime Prefecture

Dogo Onsen

Dogo Onsen is one of Japan's three ancient hot springs. It was recorded as early as the 8th century in the "Man'yoshu," making it one of the oldest hot springs in Japan with written records. Legend has it that an injured white heron discovered the gushing hot spring water among the rocks, dipped its injured foot in, and flew away healed. People discovered this hot spring as a result, and the white heron has since become a symbol of this place. The main building was built in 1894 and is a three-story wooden public bathhouse, as well as an iconic landmark here. The roof features a tower called "Shinrokaku," where a taiko drum is struck three times a day at scheduled times, its sound echoing over the hot spring town. The bathhouse is divided into two bathing areas, "Kami no Yu" and "Tama no Yu," offering different levels of bathing plans. In addition to the main building, other public baths such as Tsubaki no Yu and Asuka no Yu are scattered throughout the hot spring town, each with its own unique characteristics.

No. 3 of Hot Springs Attractions in Ehime Prefecture

Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu

Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu is located in the Dogo Onsen area of Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. Opened in 2017, it is one of the key hot spring facilities in the Dogo Onsen area. The annex draws design inspiration from the architecture and art of Japan's Asuka period, blending traditional hot spring culture with modern facilities. It aims to provide visitors with a more comfortable and diverse bathing experience. With its unique architectural style and rich historical and cultural atmosphere, it has become an important attraction in Matsuyama City. The building's exterior features vermilion pillars, a wooden roof, and a design style reminiscent of Asuka-period palaces, while the interior decor incorporates traditional crafts and local cultural elements from Ehime Prefecture. The facility includes separate indoor baths for men and women, open-air baths, and relaxation spaces. It uses the same natural hot spring water as Dogo Onsen, which is gentle and rich in minerals. It is said to have the effect of soothing fatigue and relaxing the body and mind. The facility also features special bathrooms and lounges with an extra charge, where visitors can experience unique services that blend traditional tea culture, arts and crafts, and hot spring culture, further immersing themselves in the historical heritage of Dogo Onsen.

Tobe Zoological Park

Shiroyama Park Honmaru Square

Ishite Temple

Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum

The SakanoUenoKumoMuseum is designed by the well-known architect Tadao Ando, integrating the historical culture and natural environment around Matsuyama Castle into the architectural design, expressing the cloud of the Sakagami in his mind.

No. 4 of Hot Springs Attractions in Ehime Prefecture

Iyonotojiba Kisukenoyu

Kiyosuke no Yu, a nostalgic hot spring healing facility in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, draws its waters from the Dogo Onsen area. It features unique baths like the alkaline "Tsubaki no Yu" with a pH above 9 and western Japan's largest carbonated spring "Tansan no Yu." Other highlights include the milky "Hakudaku Utatane no Yu" for half-body relaxation and the private "Shigaraki Tsubo no Yu" using Satsuma-yaki pottery. Beyond diverse bathing experiences, the facility offers modern amenities like a cutting-edge Fujin sauna, Jacuzzi, and walking baths to accommodate different visitor needs. The mineral-rich waters contain weakly radioactive sodium-chloride and alkaline simple weak radioactive springs, known for skin beautification, physical strengthening, and neuralgia relief benefits.

Botchan Karakuri Clock