By far the fastest way to travel between Hiroshima and Matsuyama is by boat. Setonaikai Kisen operates frequent high speed boats and car ferries between Hiroshima Port and Matsuyama Sightseeing Port. The one way trip takes 70 minutes and costs 8,000 yen by high speed boat, or 2.5 hours and 5,000 yen by car ferry. The cost for a regular sized car is 11,000 yen one way. Both ports are located about a 30 minute bus or tram ride outside of their respective city centers.
Travel between Hiroshima and Matsuyama by train involves a big detour via Okayama and is only recommended to Japan Rail Pass holders and travelers prone to seasickness. Take the JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Okayama (40 minutes) and transfer to a JR Shiokaze limited express train for Matsuyama (2.5 hours). The entire one way trip takes 3.5 to 4 hours and costs about 12,000 yen. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass if using a Sakura train between Hiroshima and Okayama, but a supplement fee is required on Nozomi and Mizuho trains.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Getting around
Matsuyama has two main train stations: JR Matsuyama Station to the west of the city center and Matsuyama-shi Station (sometimes referred to as Matsuyama City Station), the main station of the local Iyotetsu Railway company in the south of downtown. Matsuyama Castle defines the city center, while Dogo Onsen is located on the northeastern outskirts of the city.
The most convenient way to travel around the city is by tram. Iyotetsu operates five tram lines across the city, connecting JR Matsuyama Station in the west to Matsuyama-shi Station in the south and Dogo Onsen area to the northeast. A tram ride costs 210 yen regardless of distance traveled if paying with an IC card or 230 yen if paying by cash. To use the tram, board through the rear door just like on local buses and pay the fare when alighting.
Tram in Matsuyama
Iyotetsu also operates an extensive bus network in Matsuyama. For most tourists, the trams provide adequate access to all sightseeing areas. Three buses however, may be of interest: the first operates between Dogo Onsen and Ishiteji Temple (5 minutes, 230-250 yen). Two other buses shuttle passengers to Matsuyama Airport and Matsuyama Port (see below). On all buses, the use of an IC card over cash will result in a 20 yen fare reduction.
Matsuyama Airport lies on the city's southwestern boundary. Airport buses serve JR Matsuyama Station (780-800 yen, 15 minutes), Matsuyama-shi Station (780-800 yen, 20 minutes) and Dogo Onsen (980-1000 yen, 35 minutes). Besides domestic destinations, Matsuyama Airport also has a few international flights to nearby Asian destinations.
Matsuyama Port (Matsuyama Sightseeing Port) is located northwest of the city center. From Matsuyama-shi Station, take the Iyotetsu Takahama Line to Takahama Station (20 minutes, 470-490 yen), from where the port is a short bus ride (2 minutes, 230-250 yen) or a 10-15 minute walk.
Located in Matsuyama, 600 metres from Joshin-ji Temple, Yamatoya Besso offers accommodation with a spa and wellness centre, private parking, an open-air bath and a garden. This 4-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. The accommodation provides a hot spring bath, free WiFi throughout the property and family rooms.
The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At the ryokan, all units are allergy-free. At the ryokan, all units are equipped with bed linen and towels.
Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast, and breakfast in the room is also available. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in.
Guests can also relax on the sun terrace.
Matsuyama Shrine is less than 1 km from Yamatoya Besso, while Miyukiji Temple is a 17-minute walk away. Matsuyama Airport is 10 km from the property.
Cinnamon Guesthouse Dogo is situated in the Dogo Hot Spring district of Matsuyama, 1.7 km from Miyukiji Temple, 2.3 km from Ishitegawa Park and 2.7 km from Matsuyama castle. It is located 1.2 km from Matsuyama Shrine and provides a shared kitchen. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and Joshin-ji Temple is less than 1 km away.
The guest house is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in.
Okaido Shopping Street is 2.9 km from the guest house, while Yasaka Temple is 2.9 km away. Matsuyama Airport is 10 km from the property.
Situated within less than 1 km of Joshin-ji Temple and a 13-minute walk of Matsuyama Shrine, CHAHARU Hanare Dogo Yumekura features rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Matsuyama. This 4-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and full-day security. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.
The ryokan offers a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with slippers, a hair dryer and bidet. The units are equipped with heating facilities.
The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in.
Miyukiji Temple is 1.6 km from the ryokan, while Ishitegawa Park is 2.3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Matsuyama Airport, 10 km from CHAHARU Hanare Dogo Yumekura.
Situated in Matsuyama, 500 metres from Joshin-ji Temple, Kowakuen Haruka offers accommodation with an open-air bath, private parking and a garden. This 4-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. The accommodation features a hot spring bath, public bath, family-friendly restaurant and free WiFi.
All units at the ryokan come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bidet, slippers and a hair dryer. Units have a kettle, while some rooms also boast a balcony and others also feature garden views. At the ryokan, the units are fitted with bed linen and towels.
Buffet and Asian breakfast options with warm dishes, local specialities and fruits are available each morning. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in.
A bicycle rental service is available at the ryokan.
Matsuyama Shrine is less than 1 km from Kowakuen Haruka, while Miyukiji Temple is a 17-minute walk from the property. Matsuyama Airport is 10 km away.
Hotel Vista Matsuyama is set in Matsuyama, within 1.6 km of Matsuyama castle and less than 1 km of Matsuyama Civic Center. With free WiFi, this 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is situated 300 metres from Okaido Shopping Street.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All rooms have a wardrobe.
American and Asian breakfast options are available at Hotel Vista Matsuyama.
Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Yasaka Temple, Botchan Train Museum and Ishitegawa Park. Matsuyama Airport is 8 km from the property.
DogoYaya features air-conditioned rooms with satellite flat-screen TV in the Dogo Hot Spring district of Matsuyama. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.
Guest rooms in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. All rooms have a safety deposit box.
A buffet breakfast is available each morning at DogoYaya.
Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Joshin-ji Temple, Matsuyama Shrine and Miyukiji Temple. Matsuyama Airport is 10 km from the property.
Boasting a 390-year history, Funaya offers hot-spring baths, a beautiful Japanese garden and a sauna. Just 200 metres from Dogo-Onsen Train Station, it provides traditional rooms with futon bedding and tatami (woven-straw) floors.
Each air-conditioned Japanese-room at Funaya Ryokan comes with a flat-screen satellite TV, fridge and tea maker. The en suite bathroom has a bathtub and slippers.
Isaniwa Shrine and Dogo Park are a 5-minute walk away, and Dogo Giyaman Glass Museum is a 10-minute walk. Matsuyama Castle is about 3 km away. The hotel is a 30-minute tram ride from JR Matsuyama Train Station and a 40-minute bus ride from Matsuyama Airport. On-site parking is free.
Guests can relax and unwind with a massage, or enjoy with footbath within the hotelfs peaceful garden. Free wired internet access is provided in the lobby. Japanese cuisine is served at Aoigoke Restaurant, and tea and coffee can be enjoyed at Garden Terrace Komorebi.
Dormy Inn Matsuyama Natural Hot Spring features rooms in Matsuyama near Matsuyama Civic Center and The Museum of Art, Ehime. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The accommodation offers a sauna, hot spring bath, restaurant and free WiFi throughout the property.
The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. The rooms feature a safety deposit box.
A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the hotel.
Popular points of interest near Dormy Inn Matsuyama Natural Hot Spring include Yasaka Temple, Okaido Shopping Street and Botchan Train Museum. Matsuyama Airport is 8 km away.
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Matsuyama offers accommodation in Matsuyama near Matsuyama castle and Botchan Train Museum. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.
All guest rooms at the japanese-style business hotel feature air conditioning and a desk.
A buffet breakfast is available every morning at Daiwa Roynet Hotel Matsuyama.
Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Okaido Shopping Street, Yasaka Temple and Ishitegawa Park. The nearest airport is Matsuyama Airport, 8.5 km from Daiwa Roynet Hotel Matsuyama.
600 metres from Joshin-ji Temple in Matsuyama, Yamatoya Honten provides accommodation with access to a hot spring bath, public bath and open-air bath. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.
All units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a wardrobe. The ryokan offers some units that feature a safety deposit box, and units are equipped with a private bathroom with a bath and a hair dryer. The units are equipped with heating facilities.
There is a coffee shop and bar. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in.
Matsuyama Shrine is less than 1 km from the ryokan, while Miyukiji Temple is a 19-minute walk from the property. Matsuyama Airport is 10 km away.
