Area: 429.4 km²
Prefecture: Ehime
Region: Shikoku
Official Language: Japanese
Currency: Yen (JPY)
Time Zone: UTC+9
Calling Code: +81

Matsuyama

Matsuyama is the capital of Ehime Prefecture and the largest city on Japan’s Shikoku Island. It’s known for its central Dōgo Onsen Honkan bathhouse, dating from the Meiji Period, with ornate, tiered wooden buildings. Nearby is Shiki Memorial Museum, dedicated to Masaoka Shiki’s haiku poetry. To the west is the restored, feudal-era Matsuyama Castle, with its hilltop gardens and seasonal cherry blossoms. Matsuyama is known for its hot springs and Matsuyama Castle. Matsuyama Castle is located on Mount Katsuyama, a hill in the center of the city, offering visitors a bird’s-eye view of Matsuyama.

Matsuyama, capital, Ehime ken (prefecture), northwestern Shikoku, Japan. It is a seaport that faces the Inland Sea and lies on the fertile Dōgo Plain. Matsuyama is the largest city on Shikoku, covering an area of 80 square miles (207 square km). Its industries produce textiles, petrochemicals, paper, and machinery.

Geography

Matsuyama is located in central Ehime Prefecture, facing the Seto Inland Sea to the north, the mountains of the Takanawa Peninsula to the north and east, and the Saragamine Mountain Range, an extension of the Shikoku Mountains, to the south. It is located on the northeastern portion of the Dōgo Plain. The city also includes the Kutsuna Islands, an archipelago of 29 islands in the Seto Inland Sea.

Climate

Matsuyama has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa; Trewartha climate classification Cf) with hot summers and cool winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, and is heavier from April to July as well as in September.

Economy

Matsuyama is a major regional commercial center. Key industries include agriculture represented by mandarin oranges, tourism centered around Dōgo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle, and manufacturing centered on chemical fibers. Industrial areas spread along the coast near airports and harbors, including the Teijin Group’s largest production base, and factories of Miura (boiler manufacturer), Iseki (tractor and engine equipment),[5] Hatada Ichiroku (Japanese style confectionery), Poem, a food processing division of Pom (Ehime Drink Company), and the retailing companies Fuji and Daiki all have their headquarters in Matsuyama.

Education

• Universities and colleges
• Ehime University
• Matsuyama Junior College
• Matsuyama University
• Matsuyama Shinonome College
• St. Catherine University

What is the famous place in Matsuyama?

1. Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle is an iconic symbol of Matsuyama City, and it is also famous as being an impregnable castle. Here you’ll find 21 Important Cultural Properties, including the castle tower, as well as various sights to take in, such as the castle tower, Ichinomon, and Shitakemon. Cherry blossoms bloom in the inner citadel plaza every spring, and it is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot.

2. Dogo Onsen

The Dogo Onsen is a historic building with immense splendor and history. In Japan, it is classified as an Important Cultural Property. At this onsen you’ll find an alkali spring with smooth gentle waters that soothe, rejuvenate and beautify the skin. There are also plenty of shopping streets, tourist spots, and foot baths to explore nearby, perfect for a stroll in yukata.

3. Ferris Wheel Kururin

The Ferris wheel Kururin has a diameter of 45 meters, and from the ground to its highest point spans 85 meters. During the day, Kururin offers a view over Matsuyama City, including the hot spring inns at Dogo Onsen, the Iyo-nada Sea, and Matsuyama Castle standing tall in the center of the city. You can also enjoy the illuminations held at night, looking out over the night view of the city from the Ferris wheel.

4. Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum

The museum was built around the theme of “Saka no Ue no Kumo”, or “Clouds Over the Slope” by the prominent novelist Ryotaro Shiba and focuses on three main characters from Matsuyama City; Yoshifuru Akiyama, his brother Saneyuki Akiyama, and their poet friend, Shiki Masaoka. The exhibition presents information and details of Shiba’s novel and other Meiji period writings, as well as documents relating to the main characters. The building was designed by the world-famous architect, Tadao Ando.

5. Botchan Ressha Train

Botchan Ressha is a train replica designed after the steam locomotives that operated for 67 years after the opening of Iyotetsu (Iyo Railways) in 1888. The name, “Botchan” is named after a train used by the protagonist in Natsume Soseki’s novel of the same name. The current model runs via a diesel-engine, but is affixed with an odorless smoke machine to recreate the same cloud puffs as in the old days. Take a ride for the full nostalgic look and feel of riding on an old steam locomotive.

6. Ishiteji temple

Ishiteji is number 51 of the 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Niomon Gate, built in 1318, is designated as a national treasure. The main hall, pagoda, and bell tower are also designated as Important Cultural Properties. With other interesting features like the 200-meter-long Mantra cave, Ishiteji has been a popular sightseeing event. Ishiteji’s specialty, Yakimochi, is a grilled rice flour dumpling with sweet red bean filling.

7. Bansuiso

Bansuiso was built as a villa by earl Hisamatsu Sadakoto in 1922, a descendant of the former Matsuyama feudal lord. It was built in the French Neo-Renaissance style thanks to Sadakoto’s experience living in France as a military officer in the army. Not only is the architecture of Bansuiso extremely high in artistic value in and of itself, but it also often hosts exhibitions of paintings, hanging scrolls, and traditional arts, as well as various events, so be sure to check those out as well!

Source: Google, Eva Air, Wikipedia, Goodlucktrip