Airport limousine bus
Matsuyama Airport (MYJ) is close to town. Limousine buses run to Matsuyama Station, downtown and Dogo Onsen.
Matsuyama Travel Guide
The main city of Ehime on Shikoku, home to Dogo Onsen — one of Japan's oldest hot springs — and a hilltop castle. The airport is close and the city compact, making it easy to combine a relaxed onsen stay with island cycling.
Korean MOFA travel advisory: no advisory · some areas have alerts
Elsewhere in the country: Level 3 (leave the country) — some regions: L3 (leave): within 30 km of Fukushima Daiichi NPP and government-designated evacuation zones / rest of Japan: no advisory
Visits to the listed regions should be cancelled or postponed (see Details for other areas).
Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.
Plan your Matsuyama trip
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On this page
Lowest fare: Seoul (ICN) → Matsuyama
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At a glance
- Currency
- JPY (¥)
- Power & plugs
- 100V · Type A/B
- Driving side
- Left
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Local language
- 日本語
- How long to stay
- 3 to 4 days
Emergency numbers
- Police110
- Ambulance119
- Fire119
- Tourist hotline050-3816-2787
When to go
Late March-April (cherry blossoms) and October-November are best. Ehime grows citrus, so mandarins are in season in winter. June to early July is the rainy season and typhoons may come in August-September. Watch the heat if cycling the islands in summer.
Monthly climate normals
Warmest: Aug (avg high 32.6°C) · Coolest: Jan (avg low 2.6°C) · Wettest: Jun (228.7 mm)
| High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 10.2° | 2.6° | 50.9 |
| Feb | 11.0° | 2.8° | 65.7 |
| Mar | 14.4° | 5.6° | 105.1 |
| Apr | 19.6° | 10.3° | 107.3 |
| May | 24.2° | 15.0° | 129.5 |
| Jun | 27.0° | 19.4° | 228.7 |
| Jul | 31.2° | 23.8° | 223.5 |
| Aug | 32.6° | 24.6° | 99.0 |
| Sep | 29.1° | 21.0° | 148.9 |
| Oct | 23.8° | 15.1° | 113.0 |
| Nov | 18.1° | 9.6° | 71.3 |
| Dec | 12.6° | 4.8° | 61.8 |
Monthly averages of daily highs and lows, and average monthly rainfall. Any given year can differ.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency · Matsuyama station · 1991–2020 normals —View source
Airport to the city
Taxi
The city is close, so a taxi is reasonable for groups.
Rental car
Handy if you plan to explore the Shimanami Kaido or Uchiko.
Getting around
Streetcar
The backbone of city travel, linking Matsuyama Station, downtown and Dogo Onsen. Nationwide IC cards such as ICOCA are accepted.
Botchan Train
A sightseeing train styled on an old steam locomotive, running between the city and Dogo Onsen. It runs on set days and times, so check official information.
Ropeway and chairlift
Ride a ropeway or a single-seat chairlift up to Matsuyama Castle — or walk up.
JR and rental car
JR serves Uchiko and Shimonada Station; use a car or bus for the Shimanami Kaido.
Where to stay
Dogo Onsen
Good for: Hot-spring ryokan, strolling
A hot-spring town of ryokan and shopping arcades around the historic public bath. Strolling in a yukata is part of the fun.
Okaido and Gintengai
Good for: Downtown dining and shopping
Covered arcades and restaurants in the city center, close to the castle ropeway.
Around Matsuyama Station
Good for: JR access, value
Convenient for JR day trips, with many business hotels.
Around Matsuyama-shi Station
Good for: Bus and streetcar access
A private-railway station and bus terminal close to downtown.
Imabari (nearby)
Good for: Shimanami Kaido cycling
The Shikoku end of the island-hopping cycle route (Onomichi to Imabari) — a good overnight if you plan to ride.
Map of stays in Matsuyama
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Matsuyama in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
Top sights
Dogo Onsen Honkan
A historic wooden public bathhouse. Check official information for bathing options, open areas and hours. Evenings are busy; early hours are calmer.
Dogo Onsen Honkan · Photo: CT-May / CC0 Matsuyama Castle
A hilltop castle with an original keep and views over the city and sea — especially lovely in cherry-blossom season.
Matsuyama Castle · Photo: Suicasmo / CC BY-SA 4.0 Ishiteji Temple
An old temple on the Shikoku pilgrimage route, within walking distance of Dogo Onsen.
Ishiteji Temple · Photo: CT-May / CC0 Ride the Botchan Train
A sightseeing train modeled on one from a classic novel. A short ride, but a fun keepsake.
Bansuiso
A French-style old mansion behind downtown, sometimes hosting exhibitions.
Shimanami Kaido (day trip)
A cycle route across islands and bridges over the sea. You can ride short sections; check official information for bike rental and drop-off points.
Uchiko old town (day trip)
A quiet street of old merchant houses, about 30 minutes by JR limited express. The wooden Uchiko-za theater is closed long-term for repairs (reopening planned for spring 2029) — check official information.
Shimonada Station (day trip)
A tiny unstaffed station right by the sea, famous at sunset. Trains are infrequent, so check the timetable.
What to eat
Taimeshi (sea bream rice)
Ehime sea bream either cooked with rice or served as marinated sashimi over rice — two local styles.
Jakoten
Fried fish cakes made from small whole fish, savory and chewy.
Nabeyaki udon
Matsuyama-style udon simmered in a small pot with a sweetish broth.
Mandarins and citrus juice
Ehime is citrus country, with endless juices and desserts. Fresh fruit cannot be brought into Korea, so enjoy it locally.
Botchan dango
Three-colored rice dumplings on a skewer, a Dogo Onsen classic.
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout 7,000 JPY per day: business hotel, udon, streetcar
Mid-rangeabout 14,000-20,000 JPY per day: city hotel, restaurants, onsen entry
Comfortabout 35,000 JPY+ per day: Dogo Onsen ryokan, set-course dinners
According to a Japan Tourism Agency survey (2025), foreign leisure travellers visiting Ehime Prefecture spent an average of about ¥42,000 per person per visit (excluding travel between prefectures). Actual costs vary widely with itinerary and accommodation.
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Suggested itinerary
- Day 1
Airport to Dogo Onsen, ryokan check-in, a stroll around the onsen town, then the Honkan bath in the evening.
- Day 2
Ishiteji in the morning, the Botchan Train into town (weekends and holidays only; check the timetable), Matsuyama Castle, then taimeshi downtown.
- Day 3
A short Shimanami Kaido ride by car or bus, or JR to Uchiko and a sunset at Shimonada Station.
- Day 4
Souvenirs (citrus sweets), then the airport — it is close, so no rush.
Local tips
- At hot springs, wash before entering the bath; some facilities restrict guests with tattoos.
- Dogo Onsen Honkan gets busy in the evening. Early morning or early afternoon is quieter.
- Wear a helmet on the Shimanami Kaido and prepare for sun and heat in summer. Check bike rental and drop-off points in advance.
- Rural trains can run only every few hours. Check timetables for day trips.
- Fresh fruit cannot be brought into Korea. Eat mandarins locally and choose processed souvenirs such as juice or sweets; check Korea's Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency for details.
- City streetcars and buses accept nationwide IC cards. Payment options can change, so carry some cash too.
- Entry procedures and online arrival forms can change, so check Japanese government or embassy information before you travel.
Related articles
Prices and times are approximate as of 2026-09 and may change. Always re-check visa and entry rules with official sources before you travel.
ⓘ Photo credits
- Dogo Onsen Honkan · Japanexperterna.se / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lake Kinrin · Tzu-hsun, Hsu / CC BY-SA 4.0