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    Matsuyama Matsuyama - Japanese

    The town of Matsuyama dominates the northwestern corner of Shikoku Island, the smallest of Japan's four main islands. The city is home to an impressive original castle and one of Japan's oldest and most venerated bathhouses.

    Matsuyama Map

    “Try something flavoured with Matsuyama oranges, for which the city is famous. They make their way into all kinds of products sold in the traditional shopping district - from juices and ice cream to hand cream.”

    Ben, Expert Travel Consultant

    Matsuyama Castle is one of the few remaining original castles in Japan and occupies an imposing position atop Katsuyama Hill. The castle was constructed by the infamous samurai lord Yoshiaki Katoh from 1602 to 1627. However, by the time the castle was completed, Katoh had moved to the most northern reaches of Japan and the structure fell into the hands of the prominent Katsudaira family. The castle keep originally had five storeys, but destruction by fire led to the building of the three-storey tower that overlooks the city today.

    The castle can be reached either on foot or by cable car, and the slopes of the hill are home to a beautiful landscape garden (Ninomaru Gardens) and numerous cherry trees. After having scaled Katsuyama Hill and admired the castle, what better way to relax than with a long soak in a hot spring bath? Matusyama's bathhouse, Dogo Onsen, is one of the oldest in Japan and provides the city's other major tourist attraction.

    Housed in a beautiful wooden building at the heart of the city, Dogo Onsen has a variety of different baths (including special baths reserved for the Imperial Family alone), and is thought to have provided the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki's animated classic, Spirited Away. Here, guests can don a traditional yukata bathrobe and engage in one of Japan's most beloved cultural pastimes.

    Unbeknownst to most international tourists, Matsuyama is famous in Japan for its strong literary tradition. Many notable writers have visited or lived in the area, the most prominent of whom is Natsume Soseki - who wrote his masterpiece, Botchan, in the tranquil surroundings of the Honkan bathhouse at Dogo Onsen.

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    Recommended Accommodation in Matsuyama

    The following are our favourites from among the western-style hotels and Japanese-style inns of Matsuyama.

    • Chaharu Hanare Dogo Yumekura Image
      Matsuyama
      Chaharu Hanare Dogo Yumekura

      Moderate

    • Dogo Umenoya Image
      Matsuyama
      Dogo Umenoya

      Superior

    • Patio Dogo Hotel Image
      Matsuyama
      Patio Dogo Hotel

      Moderate

    Experiences in Matsuyama

    Matsuyama offers a wealth of exciting experiences that will help you get beneath the surface of Japan's fascinating culture. See below for a few of our favourites

    • Matsuyama's literary heroes Image
      Matsuyama's literary heroes

      Read more >

    • Dogo Onsen   Image
      Dogo Onsen

      Read more >

    Weather in Matsuyama

    The Climate Guide for Matsuyama, Japan is perfect for planning your holiday. Monthly weather averages give the best indication of what the weather is usually like for every month of the year including figures for temperature, rainfall and sunshine.

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Max Daytime Temperature (°C) 8 9 12 18 22 25 29 30 26 22 16 11
    Min Night-time Temperature (°C) 0 1 3 8 13 17 22 22 19 13 7 2
    Hours of Sunshine (Daily) 4 5 6 6 6 5 6 7 5 6 5 4
    Hours of Daylight (Daily) 10 11 12 13 14 14 14 13 12 11 10 10
    Heat and Humidity Discomfort None None None None None Low High High Low None None None
    Days with some Rainfall 18 17 17 15 15 18 18 16 17 13 12 15
    Monthly Rainfall (mm) 50 67 114 140 157 266 211 150 185 102 70 38
    UV Index (Maximum) 3 4 6 8 9 10 11 10 8 6 4 3
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    Tour Gallery

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    Make an Enquiry

    For more information email us: [email protected] or call: 303 952 0379

    • View our Gallery > Matsuyama Gallery

    Featured trips including Matsuyama

    • Secrets of Shikoku

      Self-Guided Adventure

      Secrets of Shikoku (Classic)

      • Kyoto
      • Miyajima
      • Matsuyama
      • Kotohira
      • Iya Valley
      • Takamatsu
      • Osaka

      Explore the rural heartlands of Japan whilst helping to sustain unique aspects of Japanese culture and tradition on this classic two-week trip.

      13 nights: from US$3794 pp (twin share) Read more >

      View more Self-Guided Adventures

    • Secrets of Shikoku

      Self-Guided Adventure

      Secrets of Shikoku (Superior)

      • Kyoto
      • Miyajima
      • Matsuyama
      • Kotohira
      • Iya Valley
      • Takamatsu
      • Osaka

      This superior two-week itinerary introduces the little-visited, rural island of Shikoku - with a range of in-depth cultural experiences included.

      13 nights: from US$7378 pp (twin share) Read more >

      View more Self-Guided Adventures

    • Hidden Japan

      Small Group Tour

      Hidden Japan (IJT Classic)

      • Kyoto
      • Mount Koya
      • Tokushima
      • Takamatsu
      • Kotohira
      • Matsuyama
      • Hiroshima
      • Kyoto

      Discover the road less travelled

      12 nights: US$6965 Read more >

      View more Small Group Tours

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