Matsuyama

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Matsuyama (松山) is the capital of Ehime prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Japan.

1 Understand
2 Get in
3 Get around
4 See
5 Do
6 Buy
7 Eat
8 Drink
9 Sleep
10 Get out
11 External links

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Understand

Matsuyama is a city famous for its hot springs, especially Dogo Onsen, the oldest hot spring in the country.

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Get in

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By plane

Nonstop air service is offered into Matsuyama from major airports such as Tokyo Haneda, Nagoya Komaki, Osaka Itami and Fukuoka, as well as from Okinawa.

Buses connect the airport to the Matsuyama train station in about 20 minutes (¥300).

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By train

Matsuyama is located on the JR Yosan Line.

The Ishizuchi limited express connects Matsuyama with Takamatsu on the eastern end of Shikoku (2 1/2 hours, ¥6010). The Uwakai and a few other limited express services run from Matsuyama to Uwajima (75 minutes, ¥3410).

To reach Matsuyama by rail from the Japanese mainland, take a San'yo Shinkansen train to Okayama, and transfer to the Shiokaze limited express, which will get you to Matsuyama in about three hours (¥6630).

Be careful, as many limited express trains in Shikoku combine or divide with others at certain stations, so be sure you're in the correct part of the train.

Local trains during the day will take much longer, and will probably not leave you with ample time for sightseeing.

There is no charge for the above services with the Japan Rail Pass.

By overnight train service from Tokyo, take the 10 PM Sunrise Seto train to Sakaide station, the first stop after crossing the long Seto-Ohashi bridge, and the station before Takamatsu. After a 40-minute wait (during which you may be able to get a bite to eat), take the Ishizuchi limited express to Matsuyama, arriving at 10 AM. The Sunrise Seto is one of the few overnight trains in Japan with a shower on board. You can use the shower for a small fee, or for no charge, depending on your accommodation type. But, if you don't like being limited to six minutes worth of water, just bathe yourself at Dogo Onsen instead!!

Note that during Holiday periods, the Sunrise Seto runs directly to Matsuyama after reversing direction at Takamatsu.

The Sunrise Seto may be a bit more comfortable than the other overnight option:

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By bus

A daily overnight bus service, the Dream Takamatsu Matsuyama runs from Tokyo station, leaving at 10:20 PM and arriving just before 9 AM the next morning. (12 1/2 hours, ¥9400 one way, ¥17000 round-trip.

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By ferry

Ferry services connects Matsuyama with various locations on Honshu and Kyushu.

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Get around

The streetcar, abolished in most Japanese cities, is still in use in Matsuyama today, and is the main method of getting around the city. The flat fare is ¥150 per trip; a one-day pass for the streetcars costs ¥300.

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