[Ehime ]You can enjoy without a car! 8 recommended spots in central Matsuyama City
![[Ehime ]You can enjoy without a car! 8 recommended spots in central Matsuyama City](https://assets.deep-exp.com/assets/img/uploads/media/737/main_front_detail.jpg)
2023-10-31
Without a car, it is difficult to go sightseeing in the four prefectures of Shikoku. However, Matsuyama City in Ehime Prefecture has many sightseeing spots that are accessible on foot or by streetcar, making it possible to enjoy sightseeing even without a car! Let us introduce you to some of the recommended spots in central Matsuyama City.
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Table of Contents
- 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.
Dogo Onsen Main Building
One of the most famous places in Matsuyama City is "Dogo Onsen ". The onsen is also nationally famous for appearing in Soseki Natsume's novel "Bocchan "and being referenced in the movie "Spirited Away "" Aburaya ".
Dogo Onsen is said to be one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, with a history of over 3,000 years. It is said to be one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, with a history of more than 3,000 years. It appears in Manyoshu (The Anthology of Myriad Leaves), Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan), and The Tale of Genji, and has been visited by royalty such as Prince Shotoku, Emperor Tenchi, Emperor Temmu, and literary figures such as Soseki Natsume, Shiki Masaoka, and Kyoshi Takahama.
Its symbolic presence is "Dogo Onsen Honkan ", a historic public bathhouse built in 1894. There are two large bathhouses: the spacious "Kami-no-yu (divine hot spring) "and the luxurious "Rei-no-yu (spiritual hot spring) ", which was built for the Emperor, his imperial attendants, and government officials. Visitors can enjoy the unique feature of Dogo Onsen, which is one of the most precious hot springs in the country, with its hot spring water flowing directly from the source.
"Dogo Onsen Honkan "is also a fun place to enjoy after taking a bath. In the three different rest rooms with spacious tatami mats, you can relax while enjoying tea-botchan dumplings.
Please note that due to renovation work starting in January 2019, only the God's and Spirit baths are currently open (work is scheduled to be completed in December 2024).
"Facility Information "
Store Name：Dogo-Onsen Honkan
Address：〒790-0842 5-6, Michigoyu-no-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime
Hours of operation: 6:00 - 23:00 (last admission 22:30) *Bathing time is limited to 1 hour.
Regular holiday: No mid-year break
Admission: 460 yen for 12 years old and older, 160 yen for 2-11 years old
*Fees vary for use of rest rooms. For details, check the official website.
Phone number: 089-921-5141
Parking: Multiple municipal parking lots available
*Free of charge depending on the conditions of use, and there are also free open days. Check the official website for details.
URL: https: //dogo.jp/
Dogo Onsen Annex Asukanoyusen
In honor of the legend that Prince Shotoku visited Dogo Onsen, this day-trip bathhouse was opened in 2017, incorporating the architectural style of the Asuka Period, when Prince Shotoku lived.
"Based on the concept of "as a base for disseminating new hot spring culture, the museum collaborates traditional Ehime crafts and cutting-edge art to express the stories and legends associated with Dogo Onsen.
The walls of the large baths are decorated with ceramic murals of Tobe ware, a traditional Ehime craft that is also displayed in the Dogo Onsen Honkan, depicting scenes from waka poems associated with Dogo Onsen. The open-air baths are decorated with decorative panels of Ehime hinoki cypress, a wood produced in Ehime Prefecture, making the hot springs a feast for the eyes as well.
The ground in front of the building is painted with art produced by Mika Ninagawa, and is popular among women as a photo spot. At night, the building is lit up to create a fantastic world view. In addition, a new style of onsen can be enjoyed with projection mapping of a story on the wall of the large bath.
"Facility Information "
Name： Dogo Onsen Bekkan Asukanoyusen (Dogo Onsen Bekkan Asukanoyu)
Address：〒790-0842 Ehime Prefecture Matsuyama City, Michigoyu-no-cho 19-22
Hours of operation: 6:00 - 23:00 (last admission 22:30) *Bathing time is limited to 90 minutes.
Regular holiday: No mid-year break
Bathing fee: 12 years old and over: 610 yen, 2-11 years old: 300 yen
*Fees vary for use of rest rooms. For details, check the official website.
Phone number: 089-921-5141
Parking: Multiple municipal parking lots available
*Free of charge depending on the conditions of use, and there are also free open days. Check the official website for details.
URL: https: //dogo.jp/
Enmanji Temple
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This historic temple was built in 812 and is a popular power spot said to be beneficial for love. It is located a 3-minute walk from Dogo Onsen Honkan.
A large 3.67 meter statue of Buddha called "Yuno-no-Daizoson "sits in the Buddhist temple. With a white face, bright red lips, and red and blue robe, it is a Buddha image with an unforgettable impact. It is said that Gyoki, a famous monk of the Nara period (710-794), carved this statue out of a large camphor tree when he visited Dogo Hot Springs.
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In addition to the presence of Buddha images, the reason why "Enmanguji Temple "has become a popular tourist spot is because of its various love-enhancing items, which are said to be beneficial for the fulfillment of love.
Among them, "omotsudama ", which look like omedama made of cute Japanese fabric, are colorful and cute and have become a popular photo spot. Visitors place the omotsudama on their hands, make a wish, and either tie it in the temple grounds or take it home to pray. The omotsudama are handmade one by one by local people.
It is a spot that is sure to be a hit when visited by women on a trip.
"Facility Information "
Store Name：Enmanji Temple
Address: 4-49 Dogoyuzuki-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-0837
Hours of operation: 24 hours
Regular holiday: No mid-year break
Phone number: 089-946-1774
Parking: Multiple municipal parking lots available
Ishiterji Temple
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Located about 15 minutes on foot from Dogo Onsen Honkan, this is the 51st temple of the 88 sacred places on Shikoku Island, famous for the pilgrimage. I personally think that the temple is a good place to see the sights of Matsuyama City. Personally, this temple left the strongest impression on me of all the sightseeing spots in Matsuyama City (laugh).
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First, there is a golden pagoda (Myanmar-style chedi), which is not often seen in Japanese temples. This is called "Ehime Pagoda ", and it is a war dead memorial to those from Ehime Prefecture who died in Burma (present-day Myanmar) during World War II.
And the specialty of Ishite Temple is "the Mantra Cave ", a 200-meter long tunnel. It is almost completely dark in the cave, and without a cell phone light or flashlight, it is difficult to see what is ahead. As you proceed with trepidation, you will see boards on the walls with Buddhist terms written on them. In addition, there are many Jizo statues lined up in the middle of the path...! It is an eerie and even "scary "spot for some people.
Also in the inner sanctuary is a golden mantra pagoda. A large statue of Yama sits atop the gate of the inner sanctuary, and through the gate is a large mantra pagoda. Around it are many strange statues, including a skinny Buddha statue, numerous Buddha statues, and a seersucker-like statue.
Once you step into Ishite-ji Temple, you will find yourself in a surreal space of another dimension. It is a spot that is sure to leave a strong impression on your memory.
"Facility Information "
Store Name：Ishiteji Temple
Address: 2-9-21 Ishide, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-0852
Hours of operation: 24 hours
Regular holiday: No mid-year break
Phone number: 089-977-0870
Parking: Available
White Heron Hall
Located in the shopping street of Dogo Onsen "Haikara-dori ", this is a long-established Japanese confectionery established in 1914. Bocchan dango, various tarts (not the usual baked tarts, but sponge cakes, Ehime's famous confectionery), and yokan are sold here.
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The best thing to try here is "Bocchan Dango ". You can take them home or have them with tea at the eaves of the store.
"Shirasagi-Do "'s Botchan dumplings are soft gyuhi wrapped in three types of red bean paste: green tea bean paste, yellow bean paste, and red bean paste. Rather than the gyuhi being the main ingredient, the dumplings are more like enjoying the deliciousness of the bean paste.
While other confectionery stores often mass-produce Botchan dango, "Shirasagi-Do "makes them by hand one by one. Therefore, the slightly bumpy sweet bean paste is also a charming feature.
"This is a great dish to eat on High Color Street ".
"Store Information "
Store Name：Shirasagi-Do
Address：〒790-0842 12-27, Michigoyu-no-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime
Business hours: 9:00-22:00
Regular holiday: no holiday
Phone number: 089-921-9031
Parking: Multiple municipal parking lots available
Dogo Tamaya
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"It is a souvenir shop located in the High Color Street ".
The specialty here is "The original Mikan Onigiri ". It is a rice ball made of rice and ingredients cooked in 100 percent mikan juice without any water, mixed with juice and chopped peel of Iyokan oranges grown on the company's own farm. There is a choice of two types of ingredients: Awao chicken or Iyo beef.
"You may wonder, "Does the sweet and sour taste of mandarin oranges go well with onigiri? "You may wonder, but the taste is refreshing, just like moderately sweet vinegared rice. I also had the Awao chicken rice ball, which was cut into large pieces and had a rich meaty flavor.
If you go at night, it may be sold out, so we recommend going during the day.
"Store Information "
Store Name：Dogotamaya
Address：〒790-0842 Ehime Prefecture Matsuyama City, Michigoyu-no-cho 6-13
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00 / Sat 9:00-22:00 / Sun 9:00-19:00
Regular holiday: no holiday
Phone number: 089-915-5014
Parking: Multiple municipal parking lots available
Shukou Sake Manufacturing
It is a brewery with a long history, founded in 1895 in Dogo. It produces a wide range of beverages, including sake, beer, shochu, liqueur, gin, and other liquors and cider.
With advance reservations, visitors can take a tour of the sake brewery and beer plant and sample the products. An experience to create original sake labels is also available, which you can take home as a memento of your trip to Dogo.
The rice used to make sake is primarily Ehime's own sake rice "Shizuku Ehime "and "Matsuyama Mitsui ", which gives the sake a taste unique to Ehime.
At the directly-operated store located at the brewery, "Nikitatsu Kurabu ", you can purchase a variety of souvenirs, including sake and cider, cosmetics made with sake unique to the brewery, and food products. Sake tasting is also available.
"Store Information "
Store name：Minakuchi Sake Brewery
Address: 3-23 Dogo-Kitamachi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-0848
Business hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed: Monday (if Monday is a national holiday, the following Tuesday) and the 1st Tuesday of the month
Phone number: 089-924-6616
Parking: Available
Dogo Maikan Bistro
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"This stand style bar is located diagonally across from the Dogo Onsen Annex Asuka No Yuen ".
Starting with "Dogo Beer "on tap, "Dogo Ale "made with fruit juices from Ehime, sake, shochu, craft gin, liqueurs, and other alcoholic beverages produced by the Mizuguchi Brewery are available for casual consumption.
Dogo Beer, in particular, was created with "thirst-quenching after a hot bath "in mind, and is a beer with a refreshing and cool sensation down the throat. We recommend the "Dogo Beer 4 Type Comparison Set ", which allows you to compare 4 types of beer: Kölsch, Alt, Stout, and Weizen.
It is a stylish and beautiful stand-style bar, and the atmosphere is easy to enter even for women traveling alone. Why not come and enjoy a blissful drink after a relaxing and rejuvenating trip to Dogo Onsen?
"Store Information "
Name：Dogobakushikan Bekkan
Address：〒790-0842 Ehime Prefecture Matsuyama City, Michigoyu-no-cho 14-16
Office hours: Moon, Fire, Wood, Gold 16:00 - 22:00 / Earth, Sun 12:00 - 22:30
Closed: Wednesday
Phone number: 089-931-6616
Parking: None
summary
What do you think of the spots in central Matsuyama that you can enjoy without a car? The central area of Matsuyama City is also a great place for solo travelers who do not need a car to enjoy a fulfilling sightseeing tour. We hope you will visit the area once!
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