Matsuyama Castle

マツヤマジョウ

Address: 1 Marunouchi Matsuyama City

Tel: 089-921-4873

Hours: 9:00-17:00

(varies seasonally)

Closed: Third Wednesday in December(For year-end cleaning)

http://www.matsuyamajo.jp

Matsuyama Castle is located on a 132-meter-high hill in the center of the city. The castle keep is one of only 12 keeps existing from the Edo era in Japan, and has a rare structure where the main keep and 3 small keeps are connected by a corridor. The top floor of the main keep commands a view of the whole city and the Seto Inland Sea. The castle complex contains a number of precious structures, 21 of which are designated Important Cultural Properties. The castle is listed among the best cherry blossom viewing sites in the country

Shinonome Shrine

シノノメジンジャ

Address: 73-1 Marunouchi Matsuyama City

Tel: 089-921-8938

On December 8th, 1823, the 11th lord of Matsuyama Castle, Sadamichi Matsudaira, dedicated this shrine to Sadakatsu Matsudaira, father of the first Matsuyama lord from the Matsudaira family. The shrine is one of the starting points of trails up to Matsuyama Castle, and shows different aspects according to the season. You can find the shrine north of Shinonome-guchi Ropeway Station. It is 5 minutes’ walk north from Ōkaidō tram-stop, where you can board the sightseeing train called “Botchan Ressha.”

Shinonome-guchi Ropeway Station

ロープウェイシノノメグチエキシャ

p>Address: 3-2-46 Okaidō Matsuyama City

Tel: 089-921-4873

Hours:

Cable cars 8:30-17:30

(varies seasonally)

Chairlifts 8:30–17:00

(365 days a year)

http://www.matsuyamajo.jp

There are cable cars and chairlifts between Shinonome-guchi Station at the foot of Matsuyama Castle Hill and Chōja-ga-naru Station halfway up to the castle tower. Cable cars run every 10 minutes, and on a 3-minute-ride, you can listen to a brief sightseeing guide by a staff. Chairlifts take 6 minutes, and you can enjoy an aerial walk with a relaxing view.。

The Birthplace of the Akiyama Brothers

アキヤマキョウダイセイタンチアト

Address: 2-3-6 Kachi-machi Matsuyama City

Tel: 089-943-2747

Hours: 10:00-17:00

(No entry after 16:30)

Closed: Mondays

(Tuesday if a National holiday falls on Monday)

http://www.akiyama-kyodai.gr.jp

 

Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum

サカノウエノクモミュージアム

Address: 3-20 Ichiban-chō Matsuyama City

Tel: 089-915-2600

Hours: 9:00-18:30

Closed: Mondays

(Open if a holiday)

http://www.sakanouenokumomuseum.jp

This is a core establishment for the concept of making the whole city of Matsuyama a field museum centered around the novel Saka no Ue no Kumo, written by Ryōtarō Shiba. The novel depicts the Akiyama brothers, Yoshifuru and Saneyuki, and Shiki Masaoka, all from Matsuyama, and the Meiji Era, when they lived. The museum not only traces their footsteps and historical background, but also plays a role in furthering the development of the city. People visiting this museum can feel and think deeply about the flow of the times and the future.。

Bansuisō

バンスイソウ

Address: 3-3-7 Ichiban-chō Matsuyama City

Tel:/ 089-921-3711

Hours: 9:00-18:00

Closed: Mondays

(Open if a holiday)

http://www.bansuisou.org

This is an authentic French-style building built in 1922 as the villa of Count Hisamitsu Sadakoto (1867-1943), a descendant of the Matsuyama lords. It was used by eminent people from various spheres as a social gathering venue. It is said that the construction was rushed to accommodate the crown prince’s (later the Showa Emperor) visit to Matsuyama. The villa escaped the ravages of war, so that it retains its original appearance. This precious building was designated an Important Cultural Property by Ehime Prefecture in 1985, and then by the national government in 2011.