Matsuyama
Matsuyama is a castle town on Shikoku with a hilltop castle and Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot spring districts, a streetcar ride from the center.
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Matsuyama is the capital of Ehime Prefecture, on the north coast of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands. It has a castle on a hill, a streetcar network and a hot spring district a short ride from the center, so the city fits into two or three days.
Dogo Onsen is the best-known stop, one of Japan's oldest hot spring districts, reached by the Iyotetsu streetcar from the center. Matsuyama Castle is one of the few original castle keeps still standing in Japan, and it sits on a hill above the city. Natsume Soseki's novel Botchan is set here. Day trips by train reach Uchiko, Imabari and Ozu in about an hour or less. Two or three nights gives you time for the castle, a bath and one of those trips. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking the old town and the hills.
Matsuyama in five
- Fill in Visit Japan Web before you landVisit Japan Web is the official site for the customs and immigration declarations, and it gives you a QR code to show at the airport. Set it up before the flight so you are not filling in forms at the counter.Visas and entry
- Take the limousine bus from Matsuyama AirportLimousine buses run from the airport to the city center, roughly 30 minutes in normal traffic. Check the timetable for your stop before you leave the terminal.
- Take a numbered ticket on the Matsuyama streetcarBoard by the rear door and take the numbered ticket from the machine. Pay the fare shown for that number at the fare box at the front when you get off, and keep coins ready.Getting around
- Carry yen cash for small placesMany small restaurants, bars and temple counters take only cash, so withdraw yen at a post office or 7-Eleven ATM before you head out. Card payment is common in larger hotels and shops.Money and costs
- Get an eSIM before you flyRoute search and ticket checks happen on your phone, so you need data from the moment you arrive. Install the eSIM before the flight and test it on the airport bus.Phones and eSIM
Need to know
- Currency
- Yen (JPY)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; Visit Japan Web for customs
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryMild, dry
- FebruaryMild, dry
- MarchMild, spring
- AprilWarm, clear
- MayWarm, humid
- JuneRainy season
- JulyRainy, hot
- AugustHot, typhoons
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberMild, clear
- NovemberAutumn color
- DecemberMild, dry
Right now in Matsuyama
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Matsuyama
05:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today20°12°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed20°13°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu22°16°71%Thursday: Rain. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Fri20°12°75%Friday: Rain. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Sat15°9°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun17°8°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Mon16°10°4%Monday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 04:58 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- MayHiroshima Flower FestivalHiroshima, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Uchikoabout 40 min by trainA preserved merchant town known for its wax-making history and old houses.
- Imabariabout 1 hour by trainThe start of the Shimanami Kaido, the cycling route across the islands to Onomichi.
- Ozuabout 1 hour by trainA castle town on the Hiji River, with a restored street of old houses.
Before you go to Matsuyama
Rules for Matsuyama, checked
- Japan has strict drug laws, and some common medicines are banned. Check whether your prescription medicine is allowed on the health ministry site before you fly.Source
- Many hot spring baths bar visible tattoos, so check the rule at the entrance before you undress.
- Customs declarations are filled in through Visit Japan Web. Check the declaration rules on the official site before you arrive.Source
- Smoking on the street is banned in many Japanese cities, so use the designated smoking areas.
Plan around Matsuyama
Entry, trains and money for a Japan trip
Read the guideShikokuThe island, its temple pilgrimage and onsen towns
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains, buses and streetcar fares for getting around
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to fill in on arrival
Read the guideMoney and costsCash habits, cards and typical costs
Read the guideWhere to stayAreas to base yourself and what each one costs
Read the guideMatsuyama FAQ
How many days do you need in Matsuyama?
Two nights cover the castle, Dogo Onsen and a day trip to Uchiko or Ozu. One night works if you only want the castle and a bath.
Is Dogo Onsen worth the trip?
Yes, if you want a traditional bath town a short streetcar ride from the center. Bring a small towel, and check the bathhouse rules on tattoos before you go.
How do you get from Matsuyama to Dogo Onsen?
Take the Iyotetsu streetcar from the city center to Dogo Onsen. The baths are a short walk from the last stop.
Do you need a car in Matsuyama?
No, for the city itself. Streetcars and buses cover the castle and Dogo Onsen, and day trips to Uchiko or Ozu are simpler by train than by driving.
When is the best time to visit Matsuyama?
October and November bring clear, mild days, and spring is also pleasant. June to September brings rain, and August and September carry typhoon risk.
Is Matsuyama worth a day trip from Osaka?
It is possible, but the journey is long by train and bus. A night in Matsuyama lets you see the castle and the baths without rushing.