Matsuyama Castle (松山城, Matsuyamajō) is one of Japan's twelve "original castles", i.e. castles which have survived the post-feudal era since 1868 intact. 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.
Matsuyama Castle was constructed between 1602 and 1628. In 1635, the castle got assigned to a branch of the Matsudaira family, relatives of the nation ruling Tokugawa, and it remained in their hands until the end of the feudal era. The current three storied castle tower was constructed in 1820 after the original five storied one had been destroyed by lightning.
Matsuyama Castle provides an excellent example of a feudal castle. The main circle of defense (Honmaru) is located on the top of the hill, accessible through multiple, well defended gates. The main keep is one of only a few in the country that boast multiple wings. The complex also includes a secondary keep and multiple turrets, giving Matsuyama Castle a grand appearance and making it interesting to explore. Inside the castle, some exhibits offer information on Matsuyama's history and the feudal period.
In spite of the castle's steep hilltop location, a ropeway and a chairlift make it easily accessible. Riding the single-chair chairlift is a pleasant and popular way to ascend Mount Katsuyama. Alternatively, it is possible to climb up the hill in about 15 minutes from the base of the ropeway station or from the Ninomaru Garden.
The Ninomaru Garden lies at the southern base of Mount Katsuyama and comprises the former site of the second circle of defense (Ninomaru). More comfortably accessible from the city than the main circle of defense (Honmaru) at the top of the mountain, the Ninomaru served as the site of the castle palace where the lord's residence and offices were located.
None of the palace buildings survive today. Instead, the Ninomaru has been converted into a park that preserves the floor plan and layout of the former castle palace with elevated foundations, green spaces and ponds.
Getting there and around
Matsuyama Castle stands on a steep hill in the center of Matsuyama and can be accessed by ropeway or chairlift. The closest tram stop to the ropeway and chairlift station is "Okaido" in front of the covered arcade, from where it is a five minute walk to the lower ropeway station.
Okaido can be reached by tram line 5 from JR Matsuyama Station in ten minutes or by tram line 2 or 3 from Matsuyama-shi Station in five minutes.
How to get to and around Matsuyama
Hours and Fees
Matsuyama Castle Keep
Hours
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed
Admission
Ninomaru Park
Hours
Closed
Admission
Ropeway & Chairlift
Hours
Chairlift: 8:30 to 17:00 (around the year)
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Japanese
Hotels around Matsuyama
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Cinnamon Guesthouse DogoCinnamon Guesthouse Dogo is situated in the Dogo Hot Spring district of Matsuyama, 1.7 km from Miyukiji Temple, 2.3 km from Ishitegawa Park and 2.7 km from Matsuyama castle. It is located 1.2 km from Matsuyama Shrine and provides a shared kitchen. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and Joshin-ji Temple is less than 1 km away. The guest house is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Okaido Shopping Street is 2.9 km from the guest house, while Yasaka Temple is 2.9 km away. Matsuyama Airport is 10 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Kowakuen HarukaSituated in Matsuyama, 500 metres from Joshin-ji Temple, Kowakuen Haruka offers accommodation with an open-air bath, private parking and a garden. This 4-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. The accommodation features a hot spring bath, public bath, family-friendly restaurant and free WiFi. All units at the ryokan come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bidet, slippers and a hair dryer. Units have a kettle, while some rooms also boast a balcony and others also feature garden views. At the ryokan, the units are fitted with bed linen and towels. Buffet and Asian breakfast options with warm dishes, local specialities and fruits are available each morning at the ryokan. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. A bicycle rental service is available at Kowakuen Haruka. Matsuyama Shrine is less than 1 km from the accommodation, while Miyukiji Temple is a 17-minute walk from the property. Matsuyama Airport is 10 km away.View on Booking.com -
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CHAHARU Hanare Dogo YumekuraSituated within less than 1 km of Joshin-ji Temple and a 13-minute walk of Matsuyama Shrine, CHAHARU Hanare Dogo Yumekura features rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Matsuyama. This 4-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and full-day security. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The ryokan offers a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with slippers, a hair dryer and bidet. The units are equipped with heating facilities. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Miyukiji Temple is 1.6 km from the ryokan, while Ishitegawa Park is 2.3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Matsuyama Airport, 10 km from CHAHARU Hanare Dogo Yumekura.View on Booking.com -
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FunayaBoasting a 390-year history, Funaya offers hot-spring baths, a beautiful Japanese garden and a sauna. Just 200 metres from Dogo-Onsen Train Station, it provides traditional rooms with futon bedding and tatami (woven-straw) floors. Each air-conditioned Japanese-room at Funaya Ryokan comes with a flat-screen satellite TV, fridge and tea maker. The en suite bathroom has a bathtub and slippers. Isaniwa Shrine and Dogo Park are a 5-minute walk away, and Dogo Giyaman Glass Museum is a 10-minute walk. Matsuyama Castle is about 3 km away. The hotel is a 30-minute tram ride from JR Matsuyama Train Station and a 40-minute bus ride from Matsuyama Airport. On-site parking is free. Guests can relax and unwind with a massage, or enjoy with footbath within the hotel’s peaceful garden. Free wired internet access is provided in the lobby. Japanese cuisine is served at Aoigoke Restaurant, and tea and coffee can be enjoyed at Garden Terrace Komorebi.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Vista MatsuyamaHotel Vista Matsuyama features accommodation in Matsuyama near Matsuyama castle and Matsuyama Civic Center. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is situated 300 metres from Okaido Shopping Street. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Vista Matsuyama the rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. The accommodation offers an American or Asian breakfast. Popular points of interest near Hotel Vista Matsuyama include Yasaka Temple, Botchan Train Museum and Ishitegawa Park. The nearest airport is Matsuyama Airport, 8 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
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Yamatoya Honten600 metres from Joshin-ji Temple in Matsuyama, Yamatoya Honten provides accommodation with access to a hot spring bath, public bath and open-air bath. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. All units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a wardrobe. The ryokan offers some units that feature a safety deposit box, and units are equipped with a private bathroom with a bath and a hair dryer. The units are equipped with heating facilities. There is a coffee shop and bar. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Matsuyama Shrine is less than 1 km from the ryokan, while Miyukiji Temple is a 19-minute walk from the property. Matsuyama Airport is 10 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Dormy Inn Matsuyama Natural Hot SpringDormy Inn Matsuyama Natural Hot Spring features rooms in Matsuyama near Matsuyama Civic Center and The Museum of Art, Ehime. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The accommodation offers a sauna, hot spring bath, restaurant and free WiFi throughout the property. The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. At the hotel all rooms come with bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at Dormy Inn Matsuyama Natural Hot Spring. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Yasaka Temple, Okaido Shopping Street and Botchan Train Museum. Matsuyama Airport is 8 km away.View on Booking.com -
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REF Matsuyama City Station by VESSEL HOTELSFeaturing 4-star accommodation, REF Matsuyama City Station by VESSEL HOTELS is situated in Matsuyama, 300 metres from Botchan Train Museum and 600 metres from Matsuyama Civic Center. The property is around 1.1 km from Okaido Shopping Street, 2 km from Matsuyama castle and 2.6 km from Ishitegawa Park. The hotel has a sauna, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi throughout the property. At the hotel, all rooms are equipped with a desk. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and free toiletries, all rooms at REF Matsuyama City Station by VESSEL HOTELS have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms are fitted with a seating area. At the accommodation the rooms include bed linen and towels. Guests at REF Matsuyama City Station by VESSEL HOTELS can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near the hotel include The Museum of Art, Ehime, Matsuyama Station and Yasaka Temple. The nearest airport is Matsuyama Airport, 6 km from REF Matsuyama City Station by VESSEL HOTELS.View on Booking.com -
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DougoyaSituated in the popular Dogo Hot Spring area, Onsen Ryokan Dougoya provides traditional Japanese-style accommodation with natural a hot spring bath and a lovely garden. Free WiFi is available in guest rooms. The ryokan is just a 5-minute walk from famous Dogo Hot Spring Bathhouse. It is a 8-minute walk from Dogo Onsen tram stop, which is an 18-minute ride away from JR Matsuyama Station. Iconic Matsuyama Castle is a 15-minute tram and a 5-minute lift ride away. Each room at Dogoya is fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and futon bedding. Private rooms feature a low table and seating cushions. Bathroom and toilet are shared with other guests. Two 24-hour shower rooms are available on site. Free toiletries and free towel rental are available in the hot spring bath and shower. Private use of public hot spring bath is available during limited hours. Guests can relax in the common room with a flat-screen TV. Free luggage storage and a free safety deposit box to store valuables is available. Only those who have booked the "Private Hot Spring Plan" can use the hot spring water directly from the source exclusively for the time indicated on the plan.View on Booking.com -
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3LDK DenchiFeaturing 3-star accommodation, 3LDK Denchi is set in Matsuyama, less than 1 km from Yasaka Temple and a 10-minute walk from Okaido Shopping Street. There is a private entrance at the guest house for the convenience of those who stay. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and Botchan Train Museum is 100 metres away. Accommodation is fitted with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bath, slippers and a hair dryer. A microwave, a fridge and kitchenware are also offered, as well as a kettle. At the guest house, the units include bed linen and towels. The guest house is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Matsuyama Civic Center, The Museum of Art, Ehime and Matsuyama Station. The nearest airport is Matsuyama Airport, 6 km from 3LDK Denchi.View on Booking.com
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