Matsuyama

Matsuyama is a charming castle town on the northwestern coast of Shikoku, seamlessly weaving together centuries of history with modern urban convenience. Perched atop Mount Katsuyama, Matsuyama Castle is one of only twelve in Japan to retain its original keep, offering sweeping views of the city and the Seto Inland Sea from its hilltop location accessible by chairlift or ropeway. The city's most famous attraction, Dogo Onsen, is believed to be the oldest hot spring in Japan with over 3,000 years of history, and its ornate main bathhouse building is said to have inspired the bathhouse in Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away. The city also has a historic streetcar network, the Dogo Shotengai shopping arcade, and strong literary connections as the setting for Natsume Soseki's novel Botchan. As a stop on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage route, Matsuyama welcomes both pilgrims and tourists throughout the year.