City or town
Things to see in Matsuyama (Japan): 100 places and when to go
Matsuyama is a city in Japan with around 534,000 inhabitants, and this site lists 100 places in and around it, mainly Nature (31), Mountains (31), Temples (23). The best known are Mount Ishizuchi, Matsuyama Castle and Dōgo Onsen. The best time to come is April to May and October; also possible: November to March and June to September. In June there are 14 h 14 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 46. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- Japan · 33.8455, 132.7658
- Population
- About 534,000
- Places
- 100 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- Nature (31) · Mountains (31) · Temples (23) · Hiking (21) · Museums and art (10) · Hot springs (5)
- Best time
- April to May and October.
- Also possible
- November to March and June to September.
- Nearest airport
- FUK Fukuoka, 216 km as the crow flies
- Highest point
- Mount Ishizuchi, at 1,982 m.
What to see in Matsuyama
The places in and around Matsuyama, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- Mount IshizuchiMountain in Shikoku, Japan33 km
- Matsuyama CastleCastle in Iyo province (now Matsuyama, Ehime prefecture), Japan18 m
- Dōgo OnsenHot spring in the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Japan2.0 km
- Imabari CastleJapanese castle in Imabari, Ehime, Japan, which is well known as one of the three Mizujiro, or "Castles on the sea", in Japan33 km
- Ōzu CastleBuilding in Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, Japan43 km
- Taisan-jiShingon temple in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 52 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage6.4 km
- Ishite-jiShingon temple in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 51 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage2.9 km
- Ōyamazumi ShrineShinto shrine in Ōmishima Island, Imabari, Ehime prefecture, Japan50 km
- Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, ImabariMuseum in Imabari, Ehime, Japan44 km
- Yasaka-jiShingon temple in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 47 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage11 km
- Yuzuki CastleBuilding in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan2.0 km
- Kichijō-jiShingon temple in Saijō, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 63 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage34 km
- Jōdo-jiShingon temple in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 49 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage5.1 km
- The Museum of Art, EhimeMuseum in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan647 m
- Saka no Ue no Kumo MuseumMuseum in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan518 m
- Iwaya-ji, EhimeShingon temple in Kamiukena District, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 45 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage29 km
- Senyū-jiShingon temple in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 58 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage27 km
- Iyo Kokubun-jiShingon Risshu temple in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 59 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage31 km
- Hōju-jiShingon temple in Saijō, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 62 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage33 km
- Hanta-jiShingon temple in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 50 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage4.1 km
- Jōruri-jiShingon temple in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 46 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage11 km
- Mount KirōMountain in Ōshima, Imabari, Ehime prefecture, Japan39 km
- Sairin-jiShingon temple in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 48 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage7.3 km
- Daihō-jiShingon temple in Kamiukena District, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, which is Temple 44 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage25 km
And the other 76, by what you come to do:
- Temples: Enmei-ji Temple, Nankou-bou, Eifuku-ji Temple, Yokomine-ji Temple, Kouon-ji Temple, Kōshō-ji Temple, Shusseki-ji Temple, Eitoku-ji Temple, Yuge Shrine
- Nature: Mount Higashisanpōgamori, Mount Izushi, Mount Kamegamori, Mount Katsu, Mount Nakatsumyōjin, Mount Takanawa, Mount Washigatō, Chikami-yama, Mount Dōgamori, Mount Iwaguro, Mount Kannomine, Mount Chichi, Mount Ishizumi, Mount Iyo-Fuji, Mount Ninomori, Mount Sasa, Paso de Misaka, Mount Saragamine, Kasamatsu-yama, Mount Meishi, Mount Katsuka, Mount Dake, Mount Kannan, Iyo Kofuji, Mount Shoji, Mount Tsubogami, Mount Myojingamori, Mount Narabara, Tōno Mine
- With kids: Tobe Zoological Park
- Museums and art: Murakami Kaizoku Museum, Tokoro Museum Ōmishima, Machiya Townhouse Museum, Matsuyama City Nakajima History and Folklore Museum Nostalgia Museum, Mutsu Memorial Museum, Wax Museum
- Food and drink: Fuji Grand Matsuyama, Hatsuyukihai
- Snow: Ishizuchi SKi & Snowbaord Resort, Kuma Skilan, SOL-FA Oda ski slopes
- History: Japanese Wax Museum & Kamihaga Residence
- Hot springs: Ashiyu Cafe Botchan Dogo Ehime, Asuka-no-yu, Mare Gracia Omishima, Tsubaki-no-yu
- Hiking: Shikoku Pilgrimage 43rd Meisekiji - 44th Daihōji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 44th Daihōji - 45th Iwayaji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 45th Iwayaji - 46th Jōruriji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 46th Jōruriji - 47th Yasakaji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 47th Yasakaji - 48th Sairinji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 48th Sairinji - 49th Jōdoji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 49th Jōdoji - 50th Hantaji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 50th Hantaji - 51st Ishiteji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 51st Ishiteji - 52nd Taisanji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 52nd Taisanji - 53rd Enmyōji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 53rd Enmyōji - 54th Enmeiji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 54th Enmeiji - 55th Nankōbō, Shikoku Pilgrimage 55th Nankōbō - 56th Taisanji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 56th Taisanji - 57th Eifukuji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 57th Eifukuji - 58th Senyūji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 58th Senyūji - 59th Iyo Kokubunji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 59th Iyo Kokubunji - 60th Yokomineji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 60th Yokomineji - 61st Kōonji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 61st Kōonji - 62nd Hōjuji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 62nd Hōjuji - 63rd Kichijōji, Shikoku Pilgrimage 63rd Kichijōji - 64th Maegamiji
When to go to Matsuyama
The best time to visit Matsuyama is April to May and October; also possible: November to March and June to September. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanPossible9:59
- FebPossible10:47
- MarPossible11:45
- AprBest time12:51
- MayBest time13:45
- JunPossible14:14
- JulPossible14:03
- AugPossible13:16
- SepPossible12:12
- OctBest time11:08
- NovPossible10:12
- DecPossible9:46
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 14 h 14 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 46. In April, 92 of the 100 places are at their best.
When to go to Japan in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to Matsuyama
The nearest main airport is Fukuoka Airport (FUK, Fukuoka), 216 km as the crow flies. How to get around Japan (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Kure, Hiroshima10 places49 km
- Hiroshima63 places68 km
- Kōchi, Kōchi34 places78 km
- Ōita29 places127 km
- Takamatsu72 places130 km
- Okayama51 places140 km
And all of Japan, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Matsuyama?
The best known: Mount Ishizuchi, Matsuyama Castle, Dōgo Onsen, Imabari Castle, Ōzu Castle. In all, 100 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit Matsuyama?
April to May and October; also possible: November to March and June to September. In June there are 14 h 14 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 46.
How do you get to Matsuyama?
The nearest main airport is Fukuoka Airport (FUK), 216 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with Matsuyama as the destination and these 100 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- JapanBefore travelling to Japan: 10 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. No visa is needed for tourism: up to 90 days with a valid passport.
- Nature2174 places for nature in Japan, from Mount Fuji to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: April to May and October. Each with its own season by altitude and daylight.
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.