Experience History Through Sound: Explore the Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle has long been a beloved symbol of the city for the local community. Our audio guide reveals fascinating details you might have missed, designed to spark your curiosity. You'll feel transported to the past as Ninja guides you through the experience.

Why Choose Our Guide?
✅ Engaging Insights – Discover the Castle's rich history in a simple, captivating way.
✅ Ultimate Convenience – Use your smartphone to explore at your own pace.
✅ Deeper Connection – Gain local knowledge for a truly memorable visit.

Same-day reservations: Email sent within 30 min.
Future reservations: The URL and password will be sent via email the day before.

The closing day
・The third Wednesday in December 

The opening hour vary depending on the season. Please check the official website for updates.

Please note: An entrance fee of 520 JPY which is not included in the price of the audio guide is required.

Audio Guided Tour in Matsuyama Castle 

Discover Uchiko's deep artisanal culture.

Experience the world's only "Gilded Washi"—adding modern brilliance
to ancient paper—and visit a prestigious 300-year-old brewery.

This private taxi tour is the perfect cultural transfer between Matsuyama and Dogo Onsen. Enjoy rare Japanese mastery while traveling in comfort.

◆Authentic Two Washi Arts
At Ikazaki Shachu, hand-make traditional washi paper and decorate
a washi card with rare gilding art found only here.

◆Award-Winning Sake Tasting
Enjoy Chiyonokame Brewery for premium sake, recognized nationally for excellence and its 300-year heritage.

◆Flexible luggage-friendly Transfer
Pick-up at Matsuyama with drop-off at Dogo Onsen or return to starting point.

◆Included Services
English brochures and basic driver assistance provided.

◆Upgrades
Professional English Guide: For deep cultural storytelling.

Special Lunch: Local delicacies grilled over a traditional open hearth (Irori).

※Can see options' detail when check availability.

Private Taxi: Washi-Making & Gold Leaf, Acclaimed Sake in Ehime

Dive into Matsuyama's everyday Japanese sweets culture on this 3-hour morning tour. 
After exploring Matsuyama Castle with a guide, a local food specialist joins your guide to lead you through castle town neighborhoods where locals have cherished traditional confections for generations—not as tourist attractions, but as part of daily life.

◆ Guided Castle Exploration
Begin with a ropeway ride and castle tour led by your English-speaking guide, discovering 400 years of local history.

◆ Storoll Hidden Sweets Confectioneries with Local Food Specialist
Visit hidden sweets shops tucked along residential streets, experiencing:
・Tastings of handmade sweets: wagashi, mochi, and seasonal specialties
・Conversations with shop owners about their craft and traditions
・Glimpses of production areas and family stories
・Food Expert insights into local sweets culture and traditions
・Signature sweets comparison at two renowned tart makers
etc.

*Shop visits and interactions vary by daily operations.*

Matsuyama Castle & Hidden Local Sweets: Artisan Shop Tasting Tour

The number of vacant houses in Ozu City is increasing as its population declines, making it difficult to maintain the townscape and old buildings.
To preserve valuable regional culture for future generations and protect the town's identity, Ozu City has focused on the restoration and utilization of old, abandoned residences and historic buildings. 
On this tour, you will learn about the current struggles in the old district and its revitalization efforts.

・The movie will show the overview of the pre-revitalized Ozu.
・A special visit to architectures before or under construction
・Viewing of Revitalized Historical Architectures A special visit to a hotel and shops in olden houses
・Interactoin with local Residents Interact with locais and business owners involved in revitalization of the Ozu castle-town

OZU STORIES Ozu Castle Town Regeneration Stories

Start walking from Dogo Onsen Station and visit some famous spots for good fortune. 
While leisurely walking, think of a memorable word you like that will be made into an original Sake label later. 
How about a word related to Matsuyama such as Dogo, Shikoku, or Henro (pilgrimage) ? Or, it might be interesting to write your name in Chinese characters with the assistance of an English-speaking local guide. 
The word will be used to make an original Sake label at the Minakuchi Shuzo brewery, the only Sake brewery in Dogo. You can also enjoy tasting various Sake samples available for purchase in the store.



Small-Group Walking Tour of Matsuyama and Minakuchi Brewery

-Real and high quality wedding kimono wearing experience. You can choose your favorite one from 10 deferent colors and patterns to wear. 
-The dressing room is located right by the Yokaichi & Gokoku historic street where we shoot photographs. 
-A Donation will be make to the local preservation party from the profit of this activity.

Japanese Bridal Photography Experience in historic Uchiko

An experience to discover the profound depth of Japanese tea and wagashi sweets. Photography service available.
Stroll through the historic castle town at the foot of Matsuyama Castle, where the breath of history lingers. Listen to the quiet of Shinonome Shrine and reflect on the words inscribed on Masaoka Shiki's haiku monument. This activity begins with such a stroll, steeped in the scent of literature and culture. It embodies not just sightseeing, but an experiential journey that connects you with daily life. Held in a private residence, you'll experience the warmth of being welcomed into a local home while delving into the depth of Japanese tea and wagashi. Enjoy the art of preparing sencha and matcha tea using a teapot, learn about Ehime grown tea leaves and local sweets, and discover the fundamentals of Japanese cuisine's dashi broth in a fun and engaging way. 

Matsuyama Castle Stroll and Making Auspicious Sweets

A 'must see' for first time visitors to Matsuyama! As one of Japan's 12 original castles dating back to before the Edo period, Matsuyama Castle is the symbol of Matsuyama City.
Take a rest at Jozanso, a café on the top of the hill. You can choose a refreshment between the two specialties, Iyokan orange soft-serve ice cream and homemade Amazake (sweet fermented rice drink).
Stroll along Ropeway and Okaido shopping arcade to discover some local delights.

※Reservations are accepted from 2 people.
※The tour will go on, rain or shine. (Bring rain gear as needed.) 
The chairlift stops running on rainy days. In case of a thundery day, both of the chairlift and ropeway will be out of service.
The tour will be cancelled if the management determines it difficult to ensure the safety of participants due to heavy weather such as typhoon or conditions unsuitable for walking. 
Please be careful not to get heat stroke during the tour in the extremely hot season from June to September.

[Town walk] Stroll around Matsuyama Castle and enjoy local shopping

Recommended for those who want to experience the Shikoku Pilgrimage, which has a history of over 1200 years.
This is a 90-minute round-trip course, wearing rental pilgrim costumes, from Dogo Onsen Station to Ishite-dera, the 51st Buddhist temple.
You can pray with peace of mind as it comes with a payment tag and you can also learn about worship etiquette from the guide.

The event is confirmed with the participation of 2 or more people.
*A minimum of 2 people can apply.
All guides will provide information in Japanese.

We will prepare two pieces of Ishiteji's specialty yakimochi for each person.
The moderate sweetness will energize your body after visiting the shrine.

[Town walk] Matsuyama goes "Ishiteji pilgrimage experience"

Known as the "Haiku Capital," Matsuyama is the birthplace of Masaoka Shiki, who redefined haiku as a form of modern literature, laid the foundations of contemporary haiku, and gave it the name "haiku." The city is also the cradle of haiku innovation. It is home to many sites associated with renowned poets, including the hermitage where Santōka Taneda spent his final years, making Matsuyama truly the spiritual home of haiku. In Matsuyama, haiku is deeply woven into everyday life and urban culture and is actively shared both within Japan and internationally, making the city a uniquely important source of modern haiku culture. Drawing inspiration from seasonal landscapes and historic settings, participants compose, share, and receive commentary on English-language haiku. Guided by an English haiku instructor, the program is designed to engage all five senses, allowing participants to experience both the depth of haiku and the rich charm of Matsuyama.

Haiku Writing Experience on a Pilgrimage Walk at Ishiteji Temple

Explore the rich hot-spring culture of Dōgo Onsen on this guided walking tour that unveils the town's historical significance and vibrant community traditions. Discover how this celebrated spa town evolved into a beloved destination through storytelling and local pride, starting from the iconic Botchan Karakuri Clock. The tour includes a visit to the serene Isaniwa Shrine, where you'll learn about purification rituals, before observing the architectural beauty of the Dōgo Onsen Honkan, a National Important Cultural Property. Conclude your journey with a stroll through the shopping street, sampling local snacks and comfort foods that embody the essence of this unique onsen community.

- Guided walking tour through Japan's famed hot-spring town
- Visit Isaniwa Shrine and learn about purification rituals
- Explore the iconic Dōgo Onsen Honkan, a cultural landmark
- Sample local treats while strolling through Dōgo's vibrant shopping area

Ehime: Dogo Onsen Culture Walk—Bathhouse, Shrine & Food

English Haiku Experience at the Shiki Museum and Funaya Ryokan 

Known as the "Haiku Capital," Matsuyama is the birthplace of Masaoka Shiki, who redefined haiku as a form of modern literature, laid the foundations of contemporary haiku, and gave it the name "haiku." The city is also the cradle of haiku innovation. It is home to many sites associated with renowned poets, including the hermitage where Santōka Taneda spent his final years, making Matsuyama truly the spiritual home of haiku.
In Matsuyama, haiku is deeply woven into everyday life and urban culture and is actively shared both within Japan and internationally, making the city a uniquely important source of modern haiku culture.
Drawing inspiration from seasonal landscapes and historic settings, participants compose, share, and receive commentary on English-language haiku. Guided by an English haiku instructor, the program is designed to engage all five senses, allowing participants to experience both the depth of haiku and the rich charm of Matsuyama.


English Haiku Experience at Koshin an and Isso an 　

・愛南BBQでは、ジビエを知り尽くす猟師がおすすめする美味しい食べ方で味わうことができます。
・BBQでは牡蠣や貝類など旬の海産物を提供することもあります。
・日本の里山暮らし、里山文化について学ぶことができます。

Ainan BBQ with whole foods from the sea and mountains

This is a unique guided tour, you get not only to know about special charcoals that used for Japanese tea ceremony, to see how it lit and used, and unite with the craftsman.

■At a charcoal kiln in the mountain area of Uchiko, the craftsman tells you how he makes charcoals and how it affects to the sustainable life in mountain area. 

■visit mysterious Yuge shrine, the symbol of Ishidatami district. There is a big pond in front of the shrine, and you get walk on a beautiful bridge with roof to visit the shine. 

■ Have a relax time with a cup of locally roasted coffee and local made bread. The tea-ceremony charcoal will be used to boil water for the coffee and warm up the bread. Enjoy chatting with the craftsman.

Tea Ceremony Charcoal Kiln Visit and Coffee Time in Uchiko Town

Cycle through a river side road of Uchiko's Washi(Japanese handmade paper) heritage. This immersive washi cycling tour connects you with local artisans while you create one-of-a-kind treasures to take home.

◆ Washi Papermaking & Book Binding at a Local Workshop
Work alongside skilled craftspeople to create your own handmade washi sheet. Then craft a unique handbound notebook using your paper as the cover—yours alone.

◆ Discover Hidden Origami Vending Machine
A quirky vending machine dispensing miniature origami and paper crafts, showcasing how washi culture weaves into everyday life.

◆ Enjoy Kite Museum
Explore traditional Japanese kites (tako) intricately crafted from washi paper. Learn how this durable material has been essential to kite-making for centuries.
Enjoy scenic cycling through Uchiko's historic streetscapes and traditional architecture between stops.

*Local-guided private tour: exclusive to you

Enjoy "Real Japan" at a lovely river side town.

Local Washi and Paper Craft Cycling Tour in Uchiko Town

Dogo Hot Spring , which is said to be the oldest hot spring in Japan, is also on the route of the pilgrimage to the 88 sacred sites of Shikoku, where many pilgrims heal the fatigue of their journey and enjoy historical and cultural sightseeing. This programme allows visitors to experience local history and pilgrimage culture while walking with a guide along the surrounding pilgrimage routes, which are generally not well known to the public. Within walking distance of Dogo Onsen is the 51st temple Ishite-ji Temple, which has many cultural assets and has been awarded a Michelin star. You can learn the etiquette of pilgrimage and history and culture of temples. Along the walking pilgrimage route, there is a nature trail that climbs up a small mountain and passes through a bamboo forest, which you would not expect to find in the city, and an ancient shrine, Isaniwa Shrine, which located on a hill overlooking Dogo Hot Spring, making you to feel nature and history in a compact area.

Guided Walking Ohenro Pilgrimage Experience in Dogo Hot Spring

At the foot of Matsuyama Castle, experience Japanese sweets making that engages all five senses while strolling through the historic castle town. Walk past Shinonome Shrine and Masaoka Shiki's haiku monument, immersing yourself in literature and history. Afterward, try your hand at making two types of mochi sweets—"shoyu mochi" and "odango"—in a homey space. Recipes are supervised by a registered dietitian with 20 years of administrative experience. Knead the dango into your favorite shapes and choose toppings made from wholesome ingredients, making this enjoyable for all ages.

Making Ehimes Local Sweets

The menu is based on original recipes supervised by a nutritionist, and includes Ehime's local dishes such as 'imotaki', 'Matsuyama-zushi' and 'tempura'. Seafood, vegetables and even dashi broth are carefully explained, and you can also taste Ehime's specialities such as citrus fruits, jakoten (fish cake), shoyu-mochi and Japanese tea. Food allergies and vegans are also catered for. After cooking, the food can be packed in a wappa lunch box to take home. You can also enjoy picnics in nearby parks.

In the cherry blossom season, you can also experience hanami (cherry blossom viewing). This is a special immersive experience where you can enjoy the four seasons and culture of Japan with all five senses.

Cooking local cuisine in Matsuyama Castle town, Ehime

(Highest peak in western Japan/Mt. Ishizuchi) First, a guided tour of Ishizuchi Shrine where a master of Ishizuchi guides the precincts of Ishizuchi Shrine Kuchinomiya headquarters full of worship practices, offerings, and prayers; an authentic Japanese experience (for a limited time); a special Shinto ritual "worship a god" where you directly apply the body of the god of Ishizuchi Shrine to your body; demonstrations and dedication performances by conch masters, and a spiritual "ISHUCHI Adventure Tour" combining these ancient mountain worship experiences I'm looking forward to it I'll eat it.

Ishizuchi Mystical Tour Nature and Ancient Culture Immersion

Unomachi, once the only post town in the Uwajima Domain, is lined with buildings from the mid-Edo period to the early Showa era, featuring distinctive white walls and lattice windows. On this tour, you can experience a Meiji-era class at Kaimei School, built in 1882 (Meiji 15), followed by a guided visit to Uwaminzukan and a stroll through the charming streets of the town.

Lunch is served at Ikedaya, a former sake shop renovated into a restaurant, featuring seasonal local vegetables and rice cooked in a traditional kama pot, prepared in a wholesome, vegetarian style. Enjoy a nourishing meal in a warm, inviting atmosphere and refresh both your mind and body.

Ehime Private Lunch Tour 3 Chome 106 Visit

This half-day tour allows you to enjoy the charms of Ehime: the Instagram-worthy Shimoda Station and an award-winning sake brewery, all guided by private taxi.

Our taxis guarantee convenience and safety, providing direct access to Shimoda where local train services are extremely limited. You can also enjoy sake tastings.

1. Shimoda Station: A Trending Photo Spot
Enjoy breathtaking views at Shimoda Station, famed as 'the station closest to the sea'.
→ Perfect for capturing Instagram-worthy shots.
2. Eikou Shuzo: Award-Winning Sake Tasting
Tour a renowned local sake brewery that has won numerous national awards. You can sample two types of premium Japanese sake.
3. Other places to visit
・Futami Seaside Park: Enjoy a relaxing moment by the sea.
・Enmanji Temple: Visit this power spot to pray for matchmaking and good fortune.
・Tour concludes in the historic Dōgo Onsen district.
This itinerary is ideal for travellers wishing to explore Ehime's photogenic attractions.

Taxi Tour: Insta-Famous Shimonada Sunset View Award Sake Tasting

Boarding: Matsuyama/Dogo onsen/Imabari　Arrival: Miyajima-guchi

This tour will take you on a journey to discover the deepest parts of Japan. Step aboard our luxurious bus and uncover the hidden treasures of the Seto Inland Sea. Our adventure begins with an exciting cruise, retracing the steps of Murakami kaizoku (Japanese pirates), followed by a journey through the breathtaking Tobishima Kaido to reach Miyajima.

The inclusions for this day are as follows:
・Experience a thrilling cruise on fast tides.
・Ferry fare from Munakata to Okamura port.

Our vehicle will provide hassle-free access to local areas that may be difficult to reach by other means of transportation. Inside the bus, our dedicated attendants will cater to your every need, providing beverages, travel tips, and unparalleled service in both English and Japanese.

[ROUTE] Matsuyama (boarding) → Dogo onsen (boarding) → Imabari (boarding) → Cruise on fast tides → Service area → Ferry → Miyajima-guchi (drop off)

Off the beaten Japan Cruise through Noshima Islands Tides

The perfect plan for those wishing to sightsee efficiently within limited time!
Experience making traditional Japanese fans at the Ikarashi Kite Museum, which displays a wide range of materials centred on traditional kites from various regions and kites collected from around the world.
Afterwards, stroll along the "Hachikōji and Gokoku Townscape" stretching approximately 600 metres along the Konpira Kaidō road. The residences of wealthy merchants, where traditional culture endures, remain preserved as they were in their heyday. Enjoy the lingering atmosphere, featuring earthen walls plastered with local clay and traditional plasterwork. Furthermore, experience Uchiko's artistic culture in the dressing rooms of an authentic, purely Japanese-style theatre building, which has continued since the Taisho era.

Uchiwa Fan Making and Uchiko Town Historical Stroll

Are you looking for a hands-on and local immersion experience unlike any other? On this tour, you will also have the unique opportunity to partake in a 200-year-old tradition by learning how to make Japanese candles known as Warosoku. Unlike the dipped candles of the West, Uchiko Warosoku are created by hand using a centuries-old technique that you can learn from a master! Once you have completed your very own Warosoku, you can enjoy a peaceful and intimate tea time of matcha and local sweets with the 7th-generation head craftsman. With a highly educated and friendly guide, you're guided through a beautiful and well-preserved historical district. As you make your way to a Japanese Candle workshop that has been in operation for 7 generations, you will learn all about the history of this one-of-a-kind historic district. 
This tour is the perfect mix of history, craft, and local immersion that you will never forget.

Traditional Japanese Candle Making and Uchiko Walking Tour

You can experience a factory tour of Japanese Paper factory that has 100-year of history with a dedicated guide and making a tapestry with "gilded washi," which is a combination of Local Japanese paper and a traditional French technique.


Gilded Washi Tapestry Making and Paper factory tour in Uchiko

Most of natural dyeing needs many processes and repeat same process several times, but on this workshop, you need 4 simple steps one time each. Design, Dye, Set and Wash. 
The instructor Yachiyo (Please call her "Yatt-chan".) has 50 years of natural dyeing experience, and she and her comrades will teach you those process. Enjoy conversations with them during the workshop and at the tea time after.

Chestnut Burrs Dye Experience at Kominka in Uchiko Town

This 2-night, 3-day tour is a gastronomic and cultural journey across the Seto Inland Sea, designed for international travellers with a deep interest in Japanese food culture and regional lifestyles. Departing from Matsuyama in Shikoku, off the typical tourist route, and travelling to Kure using a combination of private vehicle and ferry, you experience the unique proximity of the sea and people in the Seto Inland Sea while exploring the distinct sake, cuisine, and history of the region.

Hiroshima Setouchi Sake Breweries

This is an 8-hour one-day tour with a guide on a VIP specification bus with 12 regular seats and a single row of leather independent seats on each side, or a retro bonnet bus with 20 regular seats.
We will visit the spectacular view of the Mt. Kirousan Observatory, the Oyamazumi Shrine that is the general guardian of Japan, and the popular restaurant and specialty market "Roadside Station" Yoshiumi Ikiiki Hall, which is a departure and arrival point for rapid-current tide viewing boats. Since it is a private tour, you can also arrange admission to the boarding a rapid-water viewing boat if you like. Sightseeing points are available for consultation up to 8 hours. In addition, departure and return times can be arranged.

Matsuyama to Shimanami Kaido VIP Private Tour

・At Ainan BBQ, you can savor game meat prepared in delicious ways recommended by hunters who know it best.
・The BBQ may also feature seasonal seafood like oysters and shellfish.
・You can learn about Japan's satoyama lifestyle and satoyama culture.

Ju-gai Activity to Learn about the Area through Hunting in Ainan

Jurakutei is a Ninomaru Historic Site Garden surrounded by greenery at the foot of Matsuyama Castle.
The experience here is more than just tea——
**It's a Japanese "art of tranquility" that has been around for over 400 years**.

Sitting on tatami mats, listening to the scent of matcha and the sound of hot water,
I can feel the hustle and bustle of everyday life disappearing quickly.
As I tasted a smoke made by my host, followed by making tea with my own hands,
You can naturally experience the essence of Japanese culture, which is to "set your mind right."

in a teahouse overlooking the castle town of Matsuyama Castle.
Why not create a one-of-a-kind "Your Japan Experience"?

Recommendation: Photo shooting OK, tea ceremony experience, sweets included

Tea Ceremony Experience Class at Ninomaru Garden Tea Room in Matsuyama Castle

Known as the "Haiku Capital," Matsuyama is the birthplace of Masaoka Shiki, who redefined haiku as a form of modern literature, laid the foundations of contemporary haiku, and gave it the name "haiku." The city is also the cradle of haiku innovation. It is home to many sites associated with renowned poets, including the hermitage where Santōka Taneda spent his final years, making Matsuyama truly the spiritual home of haiku.
In Matsuyama, haiku is deeply woven into everyday life and urban culture and is actively shared both within Japan and internationally, making the city a uniquely important source of modern haiku culture.
Drawing inspiration from seasonal landscapes and historic settings, participants compose, share, and receive commentary on English-language haiku. Guided by an English haiku instructor, the program is designed to engage all five senses, allowing participants to experience both the depth of haiku and the rich charm of Matsuyama. 

 English Haiku Experience at Matsuyama Castle

The experience takes place in Dogo Onsen—one of Japan's oldest hot springs
This hot spring town, with a history spanning roughly 3,000 years, offers a mesmerizing, otherworldly Japanese atmosphere—so much so that it has even inspired anime settings. Within a compact 500m² area, you'll find magnificent Japanese architecture, narrow alleys perfect for hidden explorations, and a lively arcade lined with souvenir shops, ideal for a food stroll. The entire town exudes a timeless ambiance, making it the perfect place to wander in a kimono while discovering countless picturesque scenes.

Things to do in Ehime Prefecture