Frequently Asked Questions

Basic information about Matsuyama

Climate

Matsuyama is within the warm Seto Inland Sea climate zone, with an average temperature of 16.5°C. Annual hours of sunlight exceed 2,000 hours, significantly above the national average. Annual precipitation is low at 1,300 mm, with most rain falling in June, and least in December. With hardly any snow and few typhoons, Matsuyama has a mild climate.

Topography

The Matsuyama Plain occupies the central part of Ehime Prefecture. The plain with an area of 100 k㎡ is largely flat, and the centre of Matsuyama also has few hills. Mandarin oranges are cultivated in the foothills and islands, and in the winter, the slopes of the mountains are dotted with orange.

Why is the camellia the city’s flower?

The camellia is native to Japan and it grows everywhere, but the reason it’s Matsuyama’s flower is that in 596, the Imperial prince Shōtoku Taishi visited Dōgo, and a monument was erected to commemorate it. The inscription says that camellias grew thickly around the spring, suggesting a clean place with the sound of birdsong, and so the camellia was selected as the flower of the city.

Tourist information

Where can I find tourist information centres?

There are tourist information centres in four locations. They have pamphlets and information in various foreign languages. Click here for more information.

What accommodation do you recommend?

Matsuyama and the Dōgo area has all sorts of accommodation including ryokan, hotels and guest houses. Accommodation in the centre of Matsuyama near the castle and Ōkaidō Shopping Arcade is mostly hotels, while there are many ryokan near Dōgo Onsen. Dōgo is close to the city centre. It takes only 10 to 25 minutes by tram, so wherever you stay will be convenient.

Where can I buy souvenirs?

The natural and artisanal products of Matsuyama make welcome gifts and souvenirs. There are many excellent food products and beverages, art objects, and goods for everyday use. Souvenirs and gifts can be purchased in Dōgo Shopping Arcade, the department stores, JR Matsuyama Station, Matsuyama Airport and Matsuyama Kankōkō Port.

What are good places to see cherry blossoms?

Matsuyama Castle, Ishite River Park, andDōgo-kōen Park (Yuzuki Castle Ruins) are well-known locations for cherry blossoms. Early April is a good time.

What are good places to see autumn leaves?

Within Matsuyama City, Okudōgo and Mt. Takanawa are good. The best season is around November. Within Ehime Prefecture the following spots are famous; Mt. Ishizuchi and Omogo Gorge (early October to mid November), Shikoku Karst (mid October to early November), Dōzan River Gorge (mid October to mid November), Odamiyama Gorge (late October to early November), Besshi Line (November), and Nibukawa Gorge (mid to late November).

What are good night views?

Well-known spots for enjoying night views of Matsuyama include Matsuyama Castle, Matsuyama Sōgō Kōen, and Setokaze Pass.

Where can I get a rental cycle?

A rental cycle is ideal for sightseeing in Matsuyama.

Price: ¥300 a day, per rental, per person
Locations:
JR Matsuyama Station Rental Bicycle Port (Ask at JR Matsuyama Station bicycle parking)
8-364-6 Sanbanchō, Matsuyama Tel: 089-943-9511
Ōkaidō Rental Bicycle Port (Ask at Ōkaidō bicycle parking)
1-4-9 Ōkaidō, Matsuyama Tel: 089-941-6530 Tel: 089-935-7511
Matsuyama Castle Rental Bicycle Port (Ask at Matsuyama Castle Cable Car Station tourist information centre)
3-2-46 Ōkaidō, Matsuyama Tel: 089-935-7511
Dōgo Station Rental Bicycle Port (Ask at Dōgo Onsen tourist information centre)
6-8 Dōgo-Yunomachi, Matsuyama Tel: 089-921-3708
Availability: 8:30 to 17:00
Closed: Open year round. JR Matsuyama Station and Ōkaidō Rental Bicycle Ports are closed January 1.

Renting a bicycle: Ask at the rental bicycle port with proof of identity such as a passport. You can return the bicycle to any of the ports.

Where are the Shikoku Pilgrimage temples in Matsuyama?

The Shikoku Pilgrimage comprises 88 temples dotted around Shikoku, which are associated with Kōbō Daishi or Kūkai, the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. Eight of the temples are in Matsuyama. The route around all 88 temples is 1,200 to 1,400 km. By car it takes around 12 days, and about 40 days on foot. The temples in Matsuyama are Jōruri-ji, Yasaka-ji, Sairin-ji, Jōdo-ji, Hanta-ji, Ishite-ji, Taisan-ji and Enmyō-ji.

Other

Where can I use free Wi-Fi?

Matsuyama Free Wi-Fi is available from many access points in the city centre and around Dōgo. Please ask about Wi-Fi at your hotel.
Name: Matsuyama Free Wi-Fi
Network ID: Matsuyama_Free_Wi-Fi
When you first connect, you must enter an email address. Thereafter, no further input is required.
You can connect for up to 60 minutes per time. You can connect as many times as you want to.

・ For details on connecting
・ Access point map

Where can I shop duty-free?

There are many duty free shops in the center of Matsuyama including department stores, souvenir shops and drugstores.

For details on shops

Where can I get yen?

You can use your own cash card, credit card, or debit card to withdraw yen from an ATM or cash dispenser. You can withdraw yen from the ATMs in convenience stores (7-11 and FamilyMart) and from Japan Post Bank ATMs.

FamilyMart will offer withdrawals of Japanese yen using CUP cards from February 2016. Withdrawals of Japanese yen using other overseas cards are scheduled to start from spring 2016. ATMs providing yen withdrawals using CUP cards and other foreign cards are located in seven stores (Dōgo-Yunomachi, Matsuyama Shieki Station, Ehime Prefecture Kenchōmae, Ōtemachimae, Nibanchō Sanchōme, Matsuyama Nibanchō, and Eidaimachi stores).

Where can I buy daily goods?

In the city centre and outskirts, there are plenty of drugstores, 100 yen shops, supermarkets and so on, so purchasing daily necessities is easy.