Matsuyama, Exploring the Culture of the Coastal City of Ehime Prefecture
Aside from being the capital city of Ehime Prefecture, Matsuyama, Japan is Shihoku’s biggest city in terms of population, with its residents totaling over 500,000. The town, whose name translates to “pine mountain,” was established in December 1889 in the northeastern side of Dōgo Plain. The city is now a thriving community packed with hotels and accommodations, along with plenty of attractions and cultural sites.
Best Time to Visit
Matsuyama experiences a humid subtropical climate marked with cold winters and hot summers. That said, April is the best time to book your Matsuyama, Japan hotels as spring is in full bloom and the city hosts its annual Matsuyama Spring Festival. This three-day event is actually a combination of the Castle festival and Dogo Onsen Festival, where locals dress up in traditional Japanese attire and the downtown area is packed with people for the traditional procession.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Matsuyama is locally known as the city with the oldest hot springs, one of which is the Dogo Onsen, a public bathhouse, that dates back to 1894. Make sure you visit the Matsuyama Castle as well and wonder at its century-old architecture. To learn more about the culture of the town, most specifically the biography of Masaoka Shiki, head straight to the Shiki Memorial Museum, where most of his works are on display. Stay in the coastal hotels of Okudogo Ichiyunomori and Hōjō Suigun Youth Hostel, where you can relax and enjoy the scenic seascape.