Iyonada Monogatari train, Matsuyama

Hi all,
just hoping someone could please help me with a few question re this;
iyonadamonogatari.com

q1) how do I book tickets?

q2) is it correct that the train to Yawatahama Station arrives at 15.52 and departs a mere 14mins later, at 16.06? If so, how does one explore Yawatahama?
Is there little/nothing to explore @ Yawatahama, so 14mins is enough? Or do people catch a normal train either there or back, so that they have more time to explore?

q3) Can anyone recommend which side of the train to sit on? It seems to me that the east side is looking at the land/sites, whereas the west side is looking (mostly) out to sea. Surely the east/land side is best, no?

q4) Is it possible to request a particular side, or seat, when booking?

As always, thank you for your help!

It is a JR company train. You book it at a JR company ticket window/counter.

Yes you can catch a regular train back.

Seaside is best.

Is it possible to book a ticket online? If I wait until I arrive I might miss out, as seating looks limited.

There is a lot of inormation online about purchasing JR train tickets; this train is no exception.

My research hasn't turned up anything for booking this train.
This link;
http://www.insidekyoto.com/2012/01/reserving-japanese-train-tickets-fr...

says only JR East can be booked from outside of Japan, and I don't think this particular train is JR East.

If there is a way, can you please point in me the right direction? thanks

says only JR East can be booked from outside of Japan, and I don't think this particular train is JR East.

That is basically correct.

I think you miss understood what Firas was saying. Only JR East trains can be reserved online. The train you are asking about is not a JR East train.

I'll give you a hint for when in Japan and trying to book these joyful trains (Japanese name for fun tourist trains). If you are attempting to get seats, the return services are normally not as booked out as the to services. As your train in question has 3 return services a day, try for the last one.

Thanks for the tip. It was my understanding that there was only a single return trip, rather than the 3 you've mentioned!

Which date?
http://iyonadamonogatari.com/timetable/index.html
Seat ticket/指定席券(as Green/グリーン) sales starts from one month before from train dep date.
Meal reseration ticket/食事予約券 sales starts from one month before from train dep date
but until 4 days before. (no sales btw 3 days before and on the day)

Sea side seat is 海側/umi-gawa.
http://iyonadamonogatari.com/about/
Other side is 山側/yama-gawa. (山 means "mountain")

Purchasing both tickets at other JR area's ticket office possible.
(already answered)
This train belonging JR-Shikoku.
http://japan-fanciers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/jr_group.jpg

typo :
Meal "reseration" ticket/食事予約券
Meal "reservation" ticket/食事予約券

And,
指定席券/shiteiseki-ken
http://szh-449901.cocolog-nifty.com/photos/uncategorized/2015/05/20/dscn9238_640.jpg
食事予約券/syokuji-yoyaku-ken
http://i2.wp.com/www.kibunhigh.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/201...

(note)
Don't forget to purchase "base fare(乗車券/jyo-sha-ken) ticket".
"base fare ticket" means for "fr A to B" stns ticket.
If "Japan Rail Pass" covered no need purchasing.
If "Setouchi Area Pass" not covered btw Iyo-Ozu/伊予大洲 and 八幡浜/Yawatahama if take.
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/setouchi/#setouchi

Thanks! Damnit, looks like I can't do this. I arrive on Wednesday, and want to take the train on the Saturday AND I want the food!