Matsuyama, the capital of Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku Island, offers travelers a rich blend of historical hot springs, traditional castle architecture, and scenic coastal railway lines. You can easily access the city by boarding JR Shikoku trains, with options like the limited express from Takamatsu. Visitors can ride the vintage Botchan Ressha train to Dogo Onsen, sample local mikan citrus fruit, or explore the preserved keep of Matsuyama Castle. The city also serves as a starting point for coastal excursions, including train rides to Shimonada Station or ferry trips to the cat island of Aoshima.
Boarding the JR Shikoku Train to Shimonada Station
Transit Journey documents a trip from Takamatsu to Shimonada Station, a coastal stop popular for its seaside platform. The traveler boards the EMU 8000 limited express train from Takamatsu Station and transfers at Matsuyama Station to the DMU KIHA54. The business class ticket from Utazu to Matsuyama costs 2,800 JPY, contributing to a total fare of 10,190 JPY. Shimonada Station is an unmanned coastal platform where the tracks run directly alongside the Seto Inland Sea. Trains arrive only once every two to three hours, allowing visitors time to walk around and photograph the views. The journey concludes as the train departs for Yawatahama.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Shimonada Station
- 💡 Best for: Train Enthusiasts, Solo Travelers
4K Walk Through Dogo Onsen and Aoshima Island
DuckTravel走鴨旅行 hosts a 4K walking tour through the historical streets and hot springs of Matsuyama. The walk begins at Dogo Onsen Station, proceeds down the Dogo Shopping Street, and passes the Dogo Onsen Main Building. The route also takes viewers up to the hillside Isaniwa Shrine and the preserved Matsuyama Castle. The video ends with a ferry trip to Aoshima Island, a small harbor community in the Seto Inland Sea populated by local cats.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Dogo Onsen Main Building
- 💡 Best for: History Buffs, Cat Lovers
Four Days Exploring Matsuyama, Shimonada, and Ozu
Cindy and Dion document their four-day journey across Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku Island. On the first day, they ride the train into Matsuyama to set up their base. They spend the second day capturing the sunset at Shimonada Station before heading to the historic town of Ozu, often called the little Kyoto. The third day includes a coffee stop, viewing wisteria blooms, and bathing at Dogo Onsen. They complete the itinerary on day four by buying breakfast at Uzu Bakery and taking the ropeway to Matsuyama Castle.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Matsuyama Castle
- 💡 Best for: Couples, Slow Travelers
Cinematic Footage of Shimonada Station on the Yosan Line
Anna Film Production presents a cinematic study of Shimonada Station in Ehime Prefecture using a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. The filmmaker arrives at the station in the early morning after spending a night on the nearby island of Aoshima. Shimonada Station is operated by JR Shikoku on the Yosan Line and carries the station number S09. The station platform has been featured multiple times on the Seishun 18 Ticket promotional posters. The camera captures the quiet coastal tracks and the open platform overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Shimonada Station
- 💡 Best for: Photographers, Anime Fans
Night Walk Through Matsuyama Downtown and Izakayas
ジミーのひとりごと documents the evening atmosphere in the commercial center of Matsuyama. The walking route takes viewers through the covered shopping arcade streets of downtown Ehime after dark. The camera captures various local drinking spots and cozy izakayas in the city center. The video shows pedestrians walking through the illuminated shopping corridors and entering dining venues. The tour concludes with views of the neon signs and traffic along the main avenues of Matsuyama.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Matsuyama Downtown
- 💡 Best for: Night Owls, Casual Diners
Seven Local Activities in Matsuyama City
Miki travels through Matsuyama City to highlight seven distinct local food spots and attractions. She starts her walk at Matsuyama City Station and stops for a meal at Asahi. Next, she visits the fruit shop noma-noma operated by Noma Kajuen to try local citrus juice. Miki then visits Matsuyama Taimeshi Akiyoshi for sea bream rice before riding the Matsuyama Castle Ropeway. She stops by Jozanso Restaurant on the castle grounds and finishes her tour with coffee at Soseki Coffee Shop Aishoutei.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Matsuyama Castle Ropeway
- 💡 Best for: Solo Travelers, Foodies
Coastal Views at Shimonada Station with Cindy and Dion
Cindy and Dion share a brief look at the quiet Shimonada Station along the coast of Ehime Prefecture. The video captures the seaside train platform sitting directly against the backdrop of the Seto Inland Sea. Passengers wait on the wooden benches as a local yellow train arrives on the single-track line. The clip highlights the simple, oceanfront design of this unmanned rural station.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Shimonada Station
- 💡 Best for: Ghibli Fans, Quick Stops
Dogo Onsen, local Tangerine Juice, and Ishiteji Temple with Sarah
Tokyo Foodie Sarah visits Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku Island to tour historical spots in Matsuyama. She highlights Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest hot springs, and shows the rooms at the Dogo Prince Hotel. Sarah demonstrates the local novelty of drinking mikan tangerine juice straight from a dedicated tap. She then walks through the grounds of the historic Ishiteji Temple before taking a ropeway up to Matsuyama Castle. The video concludes with her tasting regional Matsuyama culinary dishes.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Dogo Onsen
- 💡 Best for: Hot Spring Lovers, Foodies
Three Days in Ehime: Ozu, Matsuyama, and Dogo Onsen
Most Wandered details a three-day spring itinerary through the historic towns of Ehime. The creators stay at the Dogoya hotel and explore the dining options around the Dogo Onsen district. They travel to the town of Ozu to visit a riverside cafe, rent traditional Hakama clothing, and sample drinks at a local craft brewery. The video offers practical tips on how to visit a traditional Japanese onsen or sento bathhouse. The trip ends with the hosts exploring the local shops and showcasing the regional mikan citrus merchandise.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Dogoya Hotel
- 💡 Best for: Culture Seekers, Couples
Historical Tour of Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle
Nick Midgley tours the historical landmarks of Matsuyama, the capital of Ehime Prefecture. He starts at Dogo Station to watch the Botchan Karakuri Clock perform and looks at the Botchan Ressha steam train. Nick introduces the city’s citrus mascot, Mikyan, while sampling local mikan varieties. The tour continues to the Dogo Onsen Honkan bathhouse, the ruins of Yuzuki Castle in Dogo Park, and Isaniwa Shrine. The video concludes with Nick visiting Matsuyama Castle during the day and returning to view the illuminated keep at night.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Dogo Onsen Honkan
- 💡 Best for: History Buffs, Solo Travelers
