SHIKOKU · PREFECTURE GUIDE

Ehime

For travelers drawn to cycling, castles and historic onsen.

BASEMatsuyamaIDEAL STAY3–5 daysPRIMARY GATEWAYMatsuyama Airport (MYJ)

STARTER ROUTE · 3 DAYS

DAY 01

Dogo Onsen

Base plan: Dogo Onsen for atmosphere; Imabari before cycling. Explore Dogo Onsen on foot, then order tai-meshi, jakoten and mikan desserts for your first regional dinner.

DAY 02

Matsuyama Castle

Start early for Matsuyama Castle. Keep the afternoon flexible for a local workshop or food stop, and look for Imabari towels and citrus products.

DAY 03

Shimanami Kaido

Use the final day for Shimanami Kaido. Check the last return connection before departure and send large luggage ahead when buses are involved.

HOW TO ARRIVE

Take the airport bus to Matsuyama Station or Dogo Onsen. The Shimanami Kaido starts near Imabari, reached by JR or bus.

EAT THIS

tai-meshi, jakoten and mikan desserts

WHEN TO GO

March–May and October–November for cycling

WHERE TO BASE

Dogo Onsen for atmosphere; Imabari before cycling

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Make the route
work in real life.

A simple decision layer for first-time visitors: how long to stay, whether a car helps, what to reserve and what to do when the weather changes.

TIME3–5 days

CAROptional

NEXT STOPHiroshima by ferry or Kochi overland.

ROUTE LOGIC

Move in one direction

Combine Matsuyama and Dogo, then shift to Imabari for a Shimanami day.

GETTING AROUND

Know the final leg

Trams work in Matsuyama; cycling requires one-way luggage and return planning.

BOOK AHEAD

Protect the hard parts

Bicycles, ryokan and popular ferry or bus connections.

BAD-WEATHER PLAN

Keep one useful fallback

Dogo onsen, towel museums and Matsuyama cafés.

ARRIVE

Matsuyama Airport (MYJ)

Take the airport bus to Matsuyama Station or Dogo Onsen. The Shimanami Kaido starts near Imabari, reached by JR or bus.

MOVE

Rail + local connection

IC cards cover many urban trips; regional buses and rural lines may need cash or a separate ticket.

PACK

Travel one bag lighter

Use hotel-to-hotel luggage delivery when your route includes stairs, small trains or buses.

Find a longer itinerary ↗Set budget & booking order ↗Plan what to buy ↗Check travel basics ↗