This post was written in 2007. Some information may be out of date.
On the morning of day three of my Shikoku trip, the first place I went after arriving in Matsuyama was Dogo Onsen. After parking at the hot spring, I could see Matsuyama Castle way off on top of a mountain. I’m not usually that into castles, but Matsuyama Castle was one I really wanted to see.
The castle on the mountaintop – you have to look closely to spot it
There’s a mountain right in the middle of the city with a castle on top. I walked all the way around, and they really did turn an entire mountain into a castle. It was the most impressive castle I’ve ever seen.
There are three ways up to the castle: 1. walk, 2. take the ropeway, 3. take the chairlift. I took the chairlift. I was too busy to get my camera out on the way up, so there are no photos. The lift is a little nerve-racking, but riding up past those huge trees was a really unique feeling. It felt like strolling leisurely through an old forest full of the scent of chestnut blossoms and lavender. With a bit more time I’d have liked to walk back down along the forest trail deep inside Shiroyama Park, but I just didn’t have the time.
The path up to the castle
Hard to believe there’s a building like this on top of a mountain.
The castle
A bench on the way up
You get a clear view over Matsuyama.
The castle up close
Short on time, I skipped going inside the castle.
These are photos from the lift on the way down.
This is what the lift looks like.
It’s got real charm. Unless you’re with family, the lift seems like a much better choice.
Trees swaying in the wind
This is the Ehime Prefectural Office.
Quite distinctive.
Next to the prefectural office was the Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum.
The museum is themed on Shiba Ryotaro’s novel “Saka no Ue no Kumo” (Clouds Above the Hill) and tells the story of Masaoka Shiki and the Akiyama brothers, who were all from Matsuyama. I’m not really into the history of that period, so I don’t know much about it. The building was designed by Tadao Ando. He made great use of a tight space.
The Western-style mansion (Bansuiso) seen through the window
The view is great.
The path up to Bansuiso
There wasn’t much to see there, sadly.