Matsuyama castle is one of the biggest castles in Japan. This castle is built on Mt.Katsuyama, the center of Matsuyama city.

It took about 250 years to complete building the castle. The completion of the castle is 1858, it is the next year of Commodore Perry’s black ship coming. So, Matsuyama castle is the latest castle in Japan.

The castle is preserved the unspoiled looking well. There is many crenels in the castle. The old style stairs are so steep, you have to watch your step to use them.

You can see the Japanese weapons and armors collection, and the exhibition of medieval building technology.

The view from the castle tower is great. You command a panoramic view of Matsuyama city.

To get to Matsuyama castle, you can take a ropeway or lift at the foot of Mt.katsuyama. It walks from “O-kaido” station. to go to O-kaido, you have to take a tram or a bus.

URL: http://www.matsuyamajo.jp/ (Japanese)
http://www.city.matsuyama.ehime.jp/lang/en/sightseeing/castle.html (English)
Admission fee : 500 Yen

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Dogo bakushu kan is a beer hall next to Dogo Onsen. It serves three kinds of local beers named “Dogo beer”.

Japanese beers are sometimes said that they are too sweet. But most of Japanese local beers are refreshing and dry. Some of Japanese beer manufacturers seems to provide sweet beers in US. But such sweet beers are not sold in Japan. I think the sweet beers are made for foreign countries specially.

Dogo beer is made by Minakuchi Shuzo. Minakuchi Shuzo is a long established sake brewery with 200 years, and the owner of Dogo Bakushu Kan.

staut and alt beer

There is three kinds of Dogo beers.: Koelsch type, Alt, Stout. They don’t have any unusual qualities, easy to drink for person who doesn’t like beer.

Beers are always served chilled in Japan. There is so hot and humid in summer, the cold beers are prefered very much. Dogo bakushu kan also serves tasty cold beers.
You will get addicted to the cold beer if you drink it after taking a bath.

Tai-meshi

Dogo Bakushu kan also serves good dishes. “Tai-meshi” is popular, that is a rice bowl dish with sashimi of sea bream and a raw egg. It is local food of Uwajima, where is well known for good fishes. Try this with beers.

Dogo beer : http://www.dogobeer.co.jp/BEER.html (Japanese)
Dogo bakushu kan : http://www.dogobeer.co.jp/SHOP_baku.html (Japanese)

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Dogo onsen is known as model of MIYASAKI Hayao movie “Spirited Away”. The classic architecture built in Meiji era, have a presence.

To get to Dogo Onsen, take a tram from Matsuyama station or Matsuyama-shi station to Dogo Onsen station. Dogo Onsen Station is the last station.

Dogo Onsen 2F lounge

The hot spring of Dogo Onsen has a history 3,000 of years old, a legend that two gods(O-kuninusi no mikoto and Sukunahikona no mikoto) take the bath there. There is two kind of bathroom made of stone.; “Kami no yu (神の湯:the hot spring of gods)” and “Tama no yu (霊の湯 :the hot spring of holy ghost)”. Kami no yu is more inexpensive than Tama no yu.

The tea served at Dogo Onsen

Dogo Onsen has some lounges. You can take a break with tea and sweets after enjoying the bath. The lounges have a taste of old Japan, you can feel that you wander into “Spirited Away” world.

The inner of Yu-shin den.

After Dogo Onsen, it’s good to try the local beer. A nice beer hall is next to Dogo Onsen. I’ll introduce it next time.

Dogo Onsen guide :http://www.dogo.or.jp/pc/topics2008/dogo-panf-e.pdf (PDF)

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Dogo Onsen

Matsuyama is located in Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku area. The city has long history and many episodes.
Matsuyama has many relations to great writers. For example, the famous haiku poet MASAOKA Shiki was born in Matsuyama. His friend, NATSUME Soseki had lived with MASAOKA Shiki in Matsuyama, and he wrote one of his masterpieces, “Bochan”. set in Matsuyama. SHIBA Ryotaro wrote the novel “Saka no ue no Kumo”(The cloud at top of the slope) adapted from them.

The dolls of characters in Bochan

Matsuyama is also known to Dogo Onsen, which is one of top 3 hot springs of beautiful skin. If you soak in the Dogo Onsen, you can get a smooth skin.

Yuduki castle ruin.

In addition, there is many attractions such as Matsuyama castle, tasty fish and sake, and beautiful SETO-NAIKAI sea. The classic architectures, the hot spring, haiku and novel and tasty foods, you will enjoy all of Japanese attractions in Matsuyama.

Bochan train in Matsuyama.

In Matsuyama city, the “1-Day ticket(400 Yen)” or “Matsuyama joka meguri kip(松山城下めぐりきっぷ; 2.200 Yen)” are convenience. You can use buses and trams in Matsuyama city as many times as you’d like during the day. “Matsuyama joka meguri kip” comes with 6 museums tickets. You can get an English guide at the informations and the ticket counters.

Information about tickets.:http://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/ticket/#toku (Japanese)

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