Experience The Oldest Onsen (from Matsuyama)

THIS TOUR STARTS FROM A LOCATION OF YOUR CHOICE IN MATSUYAMA.

You can pick your hotel, Matsuyama Airport, a train station or any other location as long as it is located within MATSUYAMA CITY.

If you would like our assistance in reaching MATSUYAMA, please book a customized bespoke tour instead.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE?

+ Vehicle designated in selected package (either a Toyota Alphard or HiAce Grand Cabin)

+ English speaking driver (the driver is not a guide & may only have basic English skills)

+ Tolls, Highway Fees, Parking Fees, Fuel (and other associated vehicle costs for this itinerary)

SEAT PLAN

Toyota Alphard	HiAce Grand Cabin

HOW CAN I ADD A TOUR GUIDE?

Pick a date & package; press the PROCEED BOOKING button. The next screen will offer you the option to add on a REGION EXPERT (a local guide with expert knowledge of the area, its history and culture) for an additional fee. Other add-ons may also be available.

ITINERARY

This private package tour will start at a location of your choice within MATSUYAMA and then proceed to your chosen destination options.

Destination 01: Matsuyama Castle

Destination 02: Ishiteji Temple

Destination 03: Dogo Onsen Honkan and Dogo Onsen

DETAILED ITINERARY

Matsuyama  is the largest city on Shikoku and the capital of Ehime Prefecture. At the heart of the city stands Matsuyamajo, a beautiful, original castle. The castle’s hilltop vantage point offers a view of the city and a glimpse of the Seto Inland Sea. Dogo Onsen is frequently mentioned in “Botchan” and is one of Matsuyama’s main tourist attractions. Located on the northeastern outskirts of the city, Dogo Onsen is one of Japan’s oldest hot spring resorts.

We start off in the capital city of Ehime Prefecture, Matsuyama. After picking you up in one of our luxurious private vehicles, we will drive you through some truly spectacular views to the three iconic destinations in Matsuyama.

Destination 01: Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle is one of Japan’s twelve “original castles”. It burnt down twice, once in 1642 and again in 1784, after being struck by lightning. The present structures date from 1854. It is also one of the most complex and interesting castles in the country. It is located on Mount Katsuyama, a steep hill in the city center that provides visitors with a bird’s eye view of Matsuyama and the Seto Inland Sea. There are about 200 cherry trees on the castle grounds, making this a lovely cherry blossom spot typically around late March to early April each year.

Entrance fee (separate from Tour price, to be purchased on the spot)

JPY510 per person

*Closed on third Wednesday of December

Destination 02: Ishiteji Temple

Ishiteji temple, located near Dogo Onsen to the northeast of Matsuyama’s city center, is the city’s most famous temple. It is number 51 of the 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Pilgrims dressed in white are a frequent sight at this large temple. Ishiteji’s name literally means “stone hand temple”, referring to a local legend in which an aristocrat had held a stone tightly in his hand on his death bed after seeking the priest Kobo Daishi to no avail, and was later reborn with the stone still held in the baby’s hand. Seven of its structures have been designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.

Destination 03: Dogo Onsen Honkan and Dogo Onsen

Dogo Onsen is one of Japan’s oldest and most famous hot springs, located to the east of central Matsuyama. The area is popular with tourists for its beautiful bath house and many ryokan. Dogo Onsen has also been a frequent destination for Japan’s most prestigious guests, the Imperial Family.

Dogo Onsen Honkan is the symbol and main attraction of Dogo Onsen. The charismatic bath house was built in 1894 during the Meiji Period. Its wooden interior is a maze of stairways, passages and rooms, usually bustling with activity by staff and guests. Dogo Onsen Honkan is said to have served as inspiration for the award-winning animated film “Spirited Away” by Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli.

Entrance fee (separate from Tour price, to be purchased on the spot)

JPY410/JPY840/JPY1,250/JPY1,550 per person, depending on which floor you chose to luxuriate on.