Moopon

Rare in Japan, Matsuyama Castle （松山城） located in Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku, is one of Japan’s “original castles”.  
Remaining undamaged from war, there are only 12 castles in Japan which are intact since the post-feudal era. 

Being located on Mount Katsuyama, visitors can enjoy the view of Matsuyama city and Seto Inland Sea from the castle grounds. With the approximately 200 cherry trees planted on the grounds, it is a popular hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spot in the spring (typically from late March to early April).

Matsuyama Castle was originally built between 1602 and 1628 and was given to the Matsudaira family (relatives of Japan’s ruler, Tokugawa shogun) in 1635.  However, the original five-storied castle was destroyed by lightning and the reconstructed to its current three storied tower in 1820. 

A typical feudal castle, the main circle of defense, Honmaru is located on the top of hill.  Access to the Honmaru is through multiple gates which are well-defended. Matsuyama Castle is one of the few castles with multiple wings.The main keep has a secondary keep and multiple turrets. Visitors can see displays of Matsuyama’s history as well as information about the feudal period within the castle.

Matsuyama Castle Keep
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 in December and January; until 17:30 in August) 
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed: December 29th 
Admission: 510 yen

Though the castle is located on top of a steep hill, there is a ropeway as well as a chairlift making the access fairly easy.  
Visitors can view the beautiful hillside scenery from the chairlift.  For more adventurous visitors, it is possible to climb up the hill from the ropeway station or the Ninomaru Garden.  It would take about 15 minutes.

Ropeway & Chairlift
Hours: Ropeway: 8:30 to 17:30 (until 17:00 in December and January; until 18:00 in August)
Chairlift: 8:30 to 17:00 (around the year)
Closed: Opened all year round
Admission: 510 yen (round trip), 270 yen (one way)

Lying at the base of Mount Katsuyama is the Ninomaru Garden. This is the former site of the second circle of defense (Ninomaru).The Ninomaru was the lord’s residence and where his offices were located as it provided an easier access to the city than Honmaru.

However, visitors cannot visit the palace buildings as the buildings no longer exist.  Instead, Ninomaru has been transformed into a park, preserving the layout of the former castle palace through its gardens, elevated grounds and ponds.

Ninomaru Park
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 in December and January; until 17:30 in August)
Closed: December 29
Admission: 100 yen

Access Information:
1.  From JR Matsuyama Station board tram line 5 to Okaido (approximately 10 minutes, the fare is 160 yen).
Or
From Matsuyama-shi Station, board tram line 2 or 3 to Okaido (approximately 5 minutes, 160 yen)
2.  From Okaido tram stop, a 5 minute walk through the covered shopping street will lead to the lower ropeway station.
3.  Board the ropeway/chairlift to Matsuyama Castle.

The city of Ozu grew as a castle town during the Edo Period (1603-1867). Like many other cities, the city experienced a period of westernization during the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Today, the old town around the city center retains an atmosphere reminiscent of bygone decades, with nostalgic stone-paved alleys and quaint houses of both Edo and Meiji Period architecture. Although they are not open to the public, many old merchant houses and samurai residences remain in the area,

A castle wall lines the river north of the old town for several hundred meters, stretching from Ozu Castle in the west all the way to Garyu Sanso Villa, and reminding of the extent of the castle’s influence during the feudal age. Just south of the walls is the Ozu Redbrick Hall, a remnant of Meiji western architecture. The building functions as a gallery and resting place for tourists was originally a commercial bank.

Access info
Ozu's old town can be accessed in a 20 minute walk from Iyo-Ozu Station. Alternatively, take the city loop bus from the station to Asamoya-mae (あさもや前) bus stop (7 minutes, 100 yen, 1-2 buses per hour), which is located immediately south of the old town.


Omoide Warehouse
It is a small charming museum showcasing retro exhibits from the Showa Period (1926-1989), such as old Coca Cola bottles, household items and toys. The warehouse is part of the Pokopen Yokocho Alley which recreates the ambiance of an arcade in the 1950s. The alley is lined with nostalgic wooden-framed stalls offering small items, desserts, beverages and games. However, the stands are open only on Sundays from April to November and every third Sunday in winter.

Schedule and cost
Hours: 9:30 to 16:30 (Last entry 16:00)
Closed: December 29-31
Admission:200 yen

Ozu Castle (大洲城, Ōzujō) stands on a hill by Hijikawa River in the northwestern part of downtown Ozu. Ozu City (大洲, Ōzu) is located in Ehime Prefecture on the western coast of Shikoku. The city emerged during the Edo Period (1603-1867) as a castle town. The recently reconstructed Ozu Castle stands proudly in the city center as the local icon. The castle has its origins in the 1300s, and it was rebuilt a few times over the years upon destruction by fire, as well as natural and human-caused disasters. The current castle has been reconstructed in phases since the 1950s, and the reconstruction of the main keep was finally completed in 2004.

Different from many other castles that were rebuilt in the last century using ferro concrete, the main keep of Ozu Castle was crafted mainly with wood and traditional construction techniques. That skill added the castle more value. As a result, it looks close to the original castle not only from the outside but also inside. The main keep is flanked by turrets on two sides, an interesting feature that is quite rare among Japanese castles, many of which have just solitary standing main keeps.

Inside the castle buildings, there are exhibits about the history of Ozu, maps about the local topography from past to present, models of the castle, and displays of armors and other items belonging to past feudal lords. Ascending to the top of the four story main keep rewards visitors with good views over the city and the river.

Schedule＆cost
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Closed: No closing days
Admission:500 yen (castle only), 800 yen (castle and Garyu Sanso)

Access info
Ozu Castle can be accessed in a 20-30 minute walk from Iyo-Ozu Station. Alternatively, take the city loop bus from the station to Ozu Honmachi (大洲本町) bus stop (5 minutes, 100 yen, 1-2 buses per hour), from which the castle is a 5-10 minute walk

Located 200 meters east of Dogo Onsen Station, in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, is Isaniwa Shrine.  This Shinto Shrine is dedicated to the god Hachiman, patron to the warriors.  Visitors will see artwork displaying warriors and wars here.

The architecture of this shrine is traditional Hachiman architectural style with a tall flight of stairs leading up to the shrine.  The shrine consists of two halls which are connected by their roofs, making the two halls into one building.  This is typical of the Hachiman style.  The vermillion pillars and walls are yet another distinct characteristics of this style.

Hours: 5:00 to 19:00 (6:00 to 18:00 during winter)
Admission: Free of Charge