Matsuyama’s quiet charm and friendly people have enchanted us and we have decided to stay an extra day. Luckily our hotel could accommodate us with an upgrade. Today will be a relaxing day of simply riding around the city, exploring new areas, soaking in the laid back charm of Matsuyama and going to the historic Dogo Onsen for some relaxation and and TLC.
Matsuyama is the capital of Ehime Prefecture and the largest city on Shikoku. Known for its hilltop castle and its onsens, it provides a rich and authentic Japanese experience without dealing with the very large numbers of tourists in the other major cities. Matsuyama is a destination beloved by Japanese people. This is partly due to the city being the main setting in one of Joan’s most popular novels, an outstanding castle and hot spring baths. The castle is 3 stories high and contains many authentic relics inside. With more tha 200 gorgeous cherry trees on the castle grounds, it is also one of the best places to visit in the cherry blossom season. Sitting atop the steep 400 foot high Katsuyama, there is a great view across the city and the Seto Inland Sea.
The Dogo Onsen is one of the oldest Onsens in Japan. It was written about The Japanese writer, Natsume Soseki wrote about thr onsenin his 1906 novel, Botchan. The anime movie, Spirited Away, took inspiration from the historic Dogo Onsen building.
The Botchan Karakuri Clock in the Dogo area was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Dogo’s Onsen. Characters from the novel, Botchan, appear every hour.
There are egrets on the fence around the Onsen. The legend tells the storm of an injured egret who soaked in the hot springs waters everyday until he flew way whit its health restored.
Botchan is represented in many ways, but he is always recognized by his signature moustache. Outside the onsen, you will find Tanuki, a raccoon dog who represents a Japanese prankster god and Botchan attired in his Onsen yukata.
An interesting take on the game where you try to pick up a treasure to take home. This is the first time we have seen this where the object is to be able to pick you a mandarin in the metal claws.
Dogo Park is worth a stroll through. The winding paths are lined with cherry blossom trees. It is a favourite spot for locals to come and feed the fish and turtles in the ponds.
This building is the Tsubaki Onsen, built in 1953, uses mineral water from the Camellia Hot Spring. Tsubaki translates as Camellia. This onsen is more popular with locals than the historic Dogo Onsen.
The Dogo Onsen Annex, Asuka-no-Yu, is a hot spring particularly beneficial to the skin. The water from straight from the source with no reheating at the Onsen. We went to this onsen for our bath.
In this area there are many hotels and we saw many people walking around in their yukatas (robes) as they would come from their hotel, go to the Onsen and then walk around the area. Such a calm and mellow feeling here.
After our bath at the onsen, we enjoyed wandering around to cool down. Barry has a towel that we both bought that is typically used in an Onsen. It was made in Imabari, Shikoku at the well known Imabari Towel factory.
As we were leaving to return to our hotel, we passed the Dogo Park that we visited earlier. We loved seeing the parasols illuminated at night. Beautiful.
Kids riding home from school. Unlike North America, where parents often pick their kids up from school, Japanese kids walk home with their friends or ride their bikes.
We have had a memorable day on this our last day in Matsuyama. We have ridden back to our hotel through a neighbourhood of small and narrow winding lanes. It has been magical to ride through here at dusk.
The Nest Hotel, home sweet home for us in Matsuyama. The hotel has a lovely lobby and without hesitation, they welcomed us to park our trikes in the lobby. Arigato!
