Quite provincial yet hospitable to travelers, and a hub of business and shopping amongst the lazy calm of the countryside, Matsuyama has much to offer in the way of literary and curious cultural assets.
The ''Ishizuchi'' Limited Express connects Matsuyama with Takamatsu on the eastern end of Shikoku (2 1/2 hours, ¥6010). The ''Uwakai'' and a few other limited express services run from Matsuyama to Uwajima (75 minutes, ¥3410). Be careful, as many limited express trains in Shikoku combine or divide with others at certain stations, so be sure you're in the correct part of the train.
Local trains during the day take much longer, and will probably not leave you with ample time for sightseeing.
The overnight train from Tokyo departs at 22:00. The ''Sunrise Seto'' train goes to Sakaide (___o) station, the first stop after crossing the long Seto-Ohashi bridge, and the station before Takamatsu. After a 40-minute wait (during which you may be able to get a bite to eat), take the ''Ishizuchi'' limited express to Matsuyama, arriving at 10 AM. The ''Sunrise Seto'' is one of the few overnight trains in Japan with a shower on board. You can use the shower for a small fee, or for no charge, depending on your accommodation type. But, if you don't like being limited to six minutes worth of water, just bathe yourself at Dogo Onsen instead! Note that during Holiday periods, the ''Sunrise Seto'' runs directly to Matsuyama after reversing direction at Takamatsu.
A daily overnight bus service, the ''Dream Takamatsu Matsuyama'' runs from Tokyo Station, leaving at 10:20 PM and arriving just before 9 AM the next morning. 12.5 hours, ¥9400 one way, ¥17000 round-trip.
'''123bus''' [http://www.123bus.net/index.html] is another company which provides bus services between Tokyo and Matsuyama. Call in English: 050-3533-4639 or email: mail@123bus.net
Ferry services connect Matsuyama with various locations on Honshu and Kyushu. Ferries depart from the ferry terminal, Matsuyama Kankoko (___R_____`). To reach the ferry terminal from Matsuyama Station, take the private Iyo railway line from nearby Otemachi (______) station. At the terminating station, Takahama (___l), take the shuttle bus to the port.
For the '''Kansai''' and '''Diamond''' Ferries, the cost is ¥3000 each way to Beppu and Oita, and ¥5900 each way to Kobe and Osaka.
Traveling '''on foot''' is an entirely viable way of getting around downtown at a comfortable pace.
: _____K_i_____~_________f_________B
Or, in English, "Climbing the stairs while naked is strictly forbidden".}}
<do name="" alt="" address="5-6 Yunomachi, D?go" phone="089-943-8342" fax="089-943-8343" url="http://www.dogo.or.jp/">Grab your towel and go ''bathing''! ''D?go Onsen'' is the oldest and most famous ''onsen'' in Japan, with a history stretching back over 3,000 years. Quite a few legends surround these waters. One says that the springs of D?go were discovered when, during the age of the gods, a heron placed his injured leg into hot water streaming out of a rock and was miraculously healed. Another claims that when one god put an ill god into the hot spring, the god recovered and danced for joy. The heron myth has become the principle story and so the motif is everywhere inside the building. ''Tama no ishi'' or ''Yudama'', the round rock from which the healing waters sprang, is the source of the symbol for D?go, though it looks more like a chestnut to some.
According to legend, '''Prince Shotoku''' (574-622) used to partake of the waters, and in 1899, the annex ''Yushinden'', was built so that the Imperial Family could enjoy D?go in privacy. The last time the Emperor visited Dogo was in the 70's, but the curious can peek into the rooms. (''Yushinden'' 15 minute tour without bathing: Adult: ¥250, Child: ¥120.) There is also an exhibition room features artifacts connected with the various stages of D?go Onsen's history.
There are two types of baths in the honkan for both men and women. The differences between the two ''Kami no Yu'' and ''Tama no Yu'' baths are accessible places, surroundings and service.