Guided Full-Day Matsuyama Tour: Castle, Temple & Historic Onsen District

Booking Overview Highlights Includes/Excludes Cancellation Faqs Services Reviews

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Overview

Duration:8 hours 0 minutes
Travelers:2 - 8 guests
Tour Type:Package tour, Private tour
Language:English, Japanese

Discover Matsuyama, Shikoku's largest city, on this full-day guided tour that blends history, culture, and local life. Your guide will take you through the city's top attractions using Matsuyama's charming vintage trams and buses, giving you an authentic feel for how locals get around.

Start your day at Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan's twelve original castles, perched on a hill overlooking the city. You'll explore the castle keep and grounds while learning about its samurai history. After a local lunch near the castle ropeway shopping street, head to Ishiteji, Temple 51 on the Shikoku pilgrimage route – a fascinating temple complex with caves, statues, and traditional architecture.

The afternoon takes you to the historic Dogo Onsen area, one of Japan's oldest hot spring districts. Visit Isaniwa Shrine, a beautiful hillside shrine with views over the neighborhood, before ending your tour back in central Matsuyama. Throughout the day, your guide shares stories about the city's connection to famous novelist Natsume Sōseki and explains the local culture that makes Matsuyama special.

The route: Hotel pickup → Matsuyama Castle → Lunch → Ishiteji Temple → Dogo Onsen area → Isaniwa Shrine → Return to hotel

Matsuyama Castle - Visit one of Japan's twelve original castles with panoramic city views from the hilltop grounds
Vintage Tram Rides - Travel like a local on Matsuyama's charming old streetcars connecting the city's main spots
Ishiteji Temple - Explore Temple 51 of the Shikoku pilgrimage with its cave tunnels, stone statues, and traditional buildings
Local Lunch Experience - Enjoy lunch at a restaurant near the castle ropeway shopping street, chosen by your guide
Dogo Onsen District - Visit Isaniwa Shrine in Japan's oldest hot spring neighborhood with its historic atmosphere

Includes/Excludes

Public transfer for the following.
A. Tram to Matsuyama Castle.
B. Tram plus public bus from Matsuyama Castle to Ishiteji.
C. Ishiteji to Dogo Onsen public bus.
English speaking guide for full day tour.
Sightseeing entrance fees for Matsuyama Castle.
One lunch arranged by the guide on tour day.

Itinerary

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Explore Matsuyama's Best Sights by Tram & Foot

9:00 AM - Hotel Pickup
Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Matsuyama to start the day.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - City Tram to Matsuyama Castle
Ride Matsuyama's vintage streetcar through the city. These retro trams have been running since 1887 and are a charming way to see the city. Your guide will explain how to use the tram system and point out neighborhoods along the way.

10:00 AM - 10:20 AM - Approach to Matsuyama Castle
Walk or take the ropeway/chairlift up the hill to reach the castle. The approach takes you through forested paths and stone walls built centuries ago.

10:20 AM - 12:00 PM - Visit Matsuyama Castle
Explore one of Japan's twelve remaining original castles. Matsuyama Castle sits on top of Mount Katsuyama with views over the entire city and Seto Inland Sea. You'll visit:

The main castle keep with its wooden interior and steep staircases
Original defensive structures including gates and turrets
Stone walls and moats from the feudal era
Museum displays showing samurai armor and historical artifacts

Your guide will explain the castle's 400-year history, how it survived wars and fires, and its importance to Matsuyama's samurai heritage.

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM - Walk to Lunch Area
Head down from the castle to the Matsuyama Ropeway Shotengai (shopping street) area near the castle base.

12:30 PM - 1:20 PM - Lunch
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant chosen by your guide. The area offers various options including traditional Japanese cuisine, noodle shops, and regional specialties. Your guide will help you order and recommend local dishes.

1:20 PM - 1:30 PM - Tram to Bus Stop
Take the tram through downtown Matsuyama.

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM - Bus to Ishiteji Temple
Ride a local bus to reach Ishiteji, located on the eastern side of the city.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Visit Ishiteji Temple
Explore Temple 51 on the Shikoku 88 Temple pilgrimage route. Ishiteji is one of the most interesting temples on the entire pilgrimage with unique features:

The two-story Niomon gate with guardian statues
Main hall and three-story pagoda
Cave tunnel filled with stone statues of Buddhist figures (bring a flashlight or use your phone)
Traditional temple buildings with ornate carvings
Stone garden areas and pilgrim facilities

Your guide will explain the temple's 1,200-year history, show you how pilgrims pray here, and tell stories about Kōbō Daishi, the monk who founded the pilgrimage route. You'll see pilgrims in their white clothing visiting the temple.

3:00 PM - 3:20 PM - Bus to Dogo Onsen Area
Take the bus back toward central Matsuyama, getting off in the historic Dogo Onsen district.

3:20 PM - 3:30 PM - Walk Through Dogo Onsen District
Stroll through the streets of Dogo, Japan's oldest hot spring area. You'll pass by the famous Dogo Onsen Honkan building (the public bathhouse that inspired the bathhouse in the film "Spirited Away"). Your guide will share stories about the area's 3,000-year hot spring history and its connection to Japanese literature.

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Visit Isaniwa Shrine
Walk up the stone steps to reach Isaniwa Shrine, a beautiful Shinto shrine overlooking the Dogo area. The shrine features:

Long stone stairway leading up through trees
Main worship hall with traditional architecture
Peaceful grounds away from the tourist crowds
Views over the Dogo neighborhood and surrounding area

Your guide will explain the shrine's connection to Emperor Chūai and Empress Jingū, show you how to properly visit a Shinto shrine (washing hands, bowing, clapping), and discuss the differences between Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Return to Hotel
Walk back down from the shrine. Either walk through Dogo streets back to central Matsuyama (about 20 minutes) or take the tram, depending on your energy level. Your guide will accompany you back to your hotel.

5:00 PM - Tour Ends at Your Hotel
Say goodbye to your guide. The rest of your evening is free to relax or explore Matsuyama on your own.