Matsuyama 松山
Attractive castle city with history
Matsuyama is Shikoku’s largest and most bustling city (pop 515,000). It boasts the popular historic hot springs area of Dōgo Onsen in the east, and Matsuyama-jō (castle) perched atop Mt Katsuyama in the centre of the city.
The castle is an easy-to-spot landmark from all over town and an attraction in itself, as visitors can marvel at the views and clamber around its inner rooms.
JR Matsuyama staion is to the castle’s west, while lively pedestrian malls to its south feature a plethora of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes.
Getting there
Matsuyama Airport has connections to Japan’s big cities, while you can also arrive by ferry from Hiroshima. JR train connections link Matsuyama with Shikoku’s other main cities and with Okayama on Honshū.
Getting around