Ehime in four days: Uchiko and Ozu day trips or an Ozu night?
Stay three Matsuyama nights for separate Uchiko and Ozu trips without moving. For an Ozu night, stay two in Matsuyama then move via Uchiko. The Ozu-stay course visits its castle on the final day before returning to Matsuyama.
Choose an itinerary for 4 days / 3 nights
Separate Uchiko and Ozu day trips
Stay three nights in Okaido for both towns without changing accommodation, visiting historic Uchiko and Ozu Castle on separate days. Both use return trains from JR Matsuyama.
Separate Uchiko and Ozu day trips →4 days / 3 nightsVia Uchiko to an Ozu night
Choose two Matsuyama nights and one Ozu night for a local stay after castle and bath visits. Move via Uchiko on day three, then visit Ozu Castle and return to Matsuyama on the final day. Choose the Uchiko stop only if you can walk with light luggage.
Via Uchiko to an Ozu night →Separate Uchiko and Ozu day trips
Stay three nights in Okaido for both towns without changing accommodation, visiting historic Uchiko and Ozu Castle on separate days. Both use return trains from JR Matsuyama.
Day one: Matsuyama Castle from Okaido
Stay three nights in Matsuyama for separate Uchiko and Ozu day trips, both by return trains from JR Matsuyama.
- Matsuyama Airport or JR Matsuyama Station → Okaido tram stop
For JR arrival, take Dogo-bound city tram 5 from outside JR Matsuyama to Okaido. From the airport, check a limousine after your actual arrival that stops at Okaido. Not every airport bus goes here. Arrival transport is excluded from sightseeing subtotals.
City tram timetableAirport limousine routes, fares and 1–24 October 2026 timetableLower-station access
- Okaido tram stop → Shinonomeguchi lower ropeway station
Walk from Okaido tram stop to the Shinonomeguchi lower ropeway station, officially about five minutes.
- Shinonomeguchi lower ropeway station → Upper station and keep ticket office
Buy an adult JPY 520 return ticket at the lower station and take the ropeway. From the upper station, walk through Honmaru to the keep ticket office. The operator's roughly 30-minute journey from lower-station Level 1 to the ticket office excludes keep-interior viewing.
- Keep ticket office → Matsuyama Castle keep
Adult keep admission is JPY 520, separate from the return ropeway. Usual viewing hours are 09:00–17:00, with admission ending 30 minutes before closing. August and December–January hours differ; check your date's cutoff before entering.
- Matsuyama Castle keep → Lower ropeway station and Okaido shopping street
After viewing, return to the upper boarding point and take the ropeway down. Walk towards Okaido for a meal or rest.
Keep-interior viewing and return ropeways require separate fees. Honmaru-only walks need no keep admission. Moving the castle to day two requires rearranging that day's sights, transport and admission cutoffs.
Day two: historic Uchiko and return to Matsuyama
After breakfast, take JR Matsuyama-bound city tram 5 from Okaido.
- Okaido accommodation → JR Uchiko Station
Take tram 5 from Okaido to JR Matsuyama and continue into the station. Change to a train stopping at Uchiko. Matsuyama City Station is not JR. Check your date's arrival and return services together. Accommodation walks, tram transfers, JR ticketing and platform access are extra to train times. Limited expresses need an unreserved supplement as well as the base ticket.
City tram timetableApril 2026 fare table, page twoUchiko tourism visitor guidanceFare tableMatsuyama StationUchiko StationIyo-Ozu Station
- JR Uchiko Station → Historic Uchiko streets
Tourism guidance gives about one kilometre (a 15-minute walk) from Uchiko Station to the historic district's southern entrance. Explore old buildings and lanes and eat lunch. Allow one to two hours for streets and Uchiko-Za's surroundings alone, or about three with meals and café stops. Uchiko-Za's interior is closed for works and excluded. For extra preserved houses, check their opening days, fees and your return train together.
Uchiko tourism visitor guidanceTourism-association closure guidanceUchiko Town dressing-room access notice
- Historic Uchiko streets → Okaido accommodation
Walk back from the southern entrance to Uchiko Station and choose your date's Matsuyama-bound train. Finish meals leaving the 15-minute walk and boarding time. Check your arrival time in Matsuyama for that date. At JR Matsuyama, go to the tram stop and take Dogo-bound tram 5 to Okaido accommodation. Plan dinner nearby.
City tram timetableApril 2026 fare table, page twoUchiko tourism visitor guidance
Day three: walk from Iyo-Ozu Station to Ozu Castle
As yesterday, take tram 5 from Okaido to JR Matsuyama.
- Okaido accommodation → JR Iyo-Ozu Station
Take tram 5 from Okaido to JR Matsuyama, then choose a limited express stopping at Iyo-Ozu via Uchiko. Iyo-Nagahama trains can also reach Iyo-Ozu, but these fares assume an unreserved limited express via Uchiko. Even Uwajima-bound trains need a dated stop check. Adult Matsuyama–Iyo-Ozu fares are base JPY 1,080 + unreserved supplement JPY 760 = JPY 1,840 one way.
Uchiko tourism visitor guidanceFare tableMatsuyama StationUchiko StationIyo-Ozu Station
- JR Iyo-Ozu Station → Ozu Castle
The official Iyo-Ozu–castle walk is about 30 minutes. Follow the old Ozu road through Tokiwamachi shops and across the Hijikawa. Allow walking and ticketing time. Ozu Castle opens 09:00–17:00, ticket sales until 16:30, adult admission JPY 550. Afterwards, eat at an open place or walk briefly by the river, then return to the station for your train. Loop buses need separate dated schedules and fares; basic costs assume walking between station and castle.
- Ozu Castle → Okaido accommodation
Choose a Matsuyama train from Iyo-Ozu, leaving the 30-minute station walk after viewing and lunch, plus boarding time. If viewing runs late, check the next service. Back at JR Matsuyama, take Dogo-bound tram 5 to Okaido accommodation.
City tram timetableApril 2026 fare table, page twoUchiko tourism visitor guidanceIyo-Ozu StationUchiko Station
Day four: Dogo bath before departure
- Okaido accommodation → Dogo Onsen Honkan
Take Dogo-bound tram 3 from Okaido to the terminus, then walk Haikara Street to Honkan. Choose adult JPY 700 Kami-no-Yu bath-only use: 06:00–23:00, reception until 22:30, 60 minutes without reservations. Other courses change costs.
Bath courses, fees and booking conditionsCity tram timetableApril 2026 fare table, page twoOfficial Dogo station, shopping street and Honkan walking map
- Dogo Onsen Honkan → Okaido tram stop
After bathing, return to Dogo Onsen Station and take Matsuyama City Station-bound tram 3 to Okaido. Eat or rest in the shopping street, then choose the airport or JR route below for your departure. For a morning departure, move bathing to another day.
Included items: Facilities JPY 2,290 + return Uchiko limited express JPY 3,220 + return Ozu limited express JPY 3,680 + six trams: cash JPY 1,500 / IC JPY 1,380
Extra costs: Flights, accommodation, meals, luggage storage, separate travel between accommodation and stops, stations or facilities, arrival transport, airport limousines, taxis and extra journeys cost more. Paid Uchiko houses and museums are excluded. Recalculate JR costs for regular trains, reserved seats or passes.
This covers separate Uchiko and Ozu day trips from Matsuyama. Return unreserved limited expresses cost JPY 3,220 to Uchiko and JPY 3,680 to Iyo-Ozu via Uchiko. Six trams cover Okaido–JR on both days and final-day Dogo return. Keeping the same accommodation still requires both JR round trips and all six trams.
Castle fees and hoursBath courses, fees and booking conditionsApril 2026 fare table, page twoBoarding and payment methodsFare tableOzu City castle guide
Via Uchiko to an Ozu night
Choose two Matsuyama nights and one Ozu night for a local stay after castle and bath visits. Move via Uchiko on day three, then visit Ozu Castle and return to Matsuyama on the final day. Choose the Uchiko stop only if you can walk with light luggage.
Day one: Matsuyama Castle
Stay two nights in Matsuyama, then one in Ozu. Allow final-day travel back to JR Matsuyama after Ozu Castle.
- Matsuyama Airport or JR Matsuyama Station → Okaido tram stop
For JR arrival, take Dogo-bound city tram 5 from outside JR Matsuyama to Okaido. From the airport, check a limousine after your actual arrival that stops at Okaido. Not every airport bus goes here. Arrival transport is excluded from sightseeing subtotals.
City tram timetableAirport limousine routes, fares and 1–24 October 2026 timetableLower-station access
- Okaido stop and accommodation → Shinonomeguchi lower station and keep ticket office
Official guidance gives about five minutes from Okaido stop to Shinonomeguchi, then about 30 minutes for the ropeway journey and walk from lower-station Level 1 to the keep ticket office.
- Keep ticket office → Matsuyama Castle keep
Usual keep hours are 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30; seasonal hours differ.
- Matsuyama Castle and lower ropeway station → Okaido accommodation
Take the ropeway down, eat in Okaido and return to accommodation. Without keep-interior viewing, its JPY 520 admission is unnecessary. If arrival leaves too little viewing time, swap with another city day.
Day two: Dogo bathing and return to Matsuyama
Take Dogo-bound city tram 3 from Okaido to Dogo Onsen Station.
- Okaido tram stop → Dogo Onsen Station
Take Dogo-bound tram 3 to the terminus. The station-to-Honkan walk and queues are extra.
- Dogo Onsen Station and Haikara Street → Dogo Onsen Honkan
Walk Haikara Street to Honkan for Kami-no-Yu bath-only use: adults JPY 700, 06:00–23:00, reception until 22:30, 60 minutes without advance reservations.
Bath courses, fees and booking conditionsOfficial Dogo station, shopping street and Honkan walking map
- Dogo Onsen Honkan and station → Okaido accommodation
After bathing, eat or rest at an open place in the shopping street. Take Matsuyama City Station-bound tram 3 from Dogo to Okaido and spend the second night at the same accommodation.
Day three: via Uchiko to Ozu accommodation
Move from Matsuyama to Ozu via Uchiko. Large-luggage storage in Uchiko is unconfirmed; choose this only with luggage light enough to carry on foot. Otherwise, use the direct Iyo-Ozu alternative below.
- Okaido accommodation → JR Uchiko Station
Take JR Matsuyama-bound city tram 5 from Okaido. JR and Matsuyama City stations differ. At JR, choose a limited express stopping at Uchiko. Adult unreserved examples are base JPY 850 + supplement JPY 760 = JPY 1,610 one way.
City tram timetableApril 2026 fare table, page twoUchiko tourism visitor guidanceFare tableMatsuyama StationUchiko StationIyo-Ozu Station
- JR Uchiko Station → Historic Uchiko streets
Walk about one kilometre (a 15-minute walk) from Uchiko Station to the southern historic-district entrance. Explore old buildings and lanes, then eat lunch. Tourism guidance suggests one to two hours walking or about three with a meal. Uchiko-Za is closed for works; interior viewing is excluded.
Uchiko tourism visitor guidanceTourism-association closure guidanceUchiko Town dressing-room access noticeTabirian location and general hoursTourism association FY2024 reportRakutabi sales suspension notice
- Historic Uchiko streets → JR Uchiko Station
After walking and lunch, retrace your route to Uchiko Station. Allow the 15-minute walk from the southern entrance plus time for ticketing and boarding, then choose your date's Iyo-Ozu service.
- JR Uchiko Station platform → JR train stopping at Iyo-Ozu
Choose a train stopping at Iyo-Ozu on your actual date. The section's unreserved limited express example is base JPY 330 + supplement JPY 450 = JPY 780. Regular trains, reserved seats or passes change costs.
- JR train towards Iyo-Ozu → Outside JR Iyo-Ozu Station
Alight at Iyo-Ozu and leave the station. Plan accommodation access using your booked address, with dinner and rests nearby.
Uchiko sightseeing uses two sections: Matsuyama–Uchiko and Uchiko–Iyo-Ozu. Skipping it uses one Matsuyama–Iyo-Ozu section. Check trains and stops for your actual date.
Day four: Ozu Castle before departure
- Ozu town → Ozu Castle
Ozu Castle opens 09:00–17:00, ticket sales until 16:30, adult admission JPY 550. Official station-to-castle walking time is about 30 minutes. Follow the old Ozu road through Tokiwamachi shops and across the Hijikawa bridge. For an early departure, move viewing to an earlier day.
- Ozu Castle → JR Iyo-Ozu Station
Retrace your route from Ozu Castle to Iyo-Ozu Station. Allow the 30-minute walk plus boarding time, then choose your date's Matsuyama train. Limited expresses via Uchiko and regular trains via Iyo-Nagahama differ in route and fares.
- JR Iyo-Ozu Station → Your actual departure boarding point
For Matsuyama Airport, take a train from Iyo-Ozu to JR Matsuyama via Uchiko, then change outside JR station to the airport limousine. Adult unreserved limited express fares are base JPY 1,080 + supplement JPY 760 = JPY 1,840 one way. Recorded JR-station–airport bus fares are JPY 1,000 cash or JPY 980 nationwide IC. Reaching the airport requires changing to the bus. Compare flight time with post-castle train waits, JR-station–bus-stop travel, boarding and airport check-in. For another city, choose its train separately from Iyo-Ozu.
Airport limousine routes, fares and 1–24 October 2026 timetableFare tableMatsuyama StationIyo-Ozu Station
Included items: Facilities JPY 2,290 + Matsuyama–Uchiko limited express JPY 1,610 + Uchiko–Ozu limited express JPY 780 + Ozu–Matsuyama limited express JPY 1,840 + three trams: cash JPY 750 / IC JPY 690
Extra costs: Flights, accommodation, meals, luggage storage, separate travel between accommodation and stops, stations or facilities, arrival transport, airport limousines, taxis and extra journeys cost more. Paid Uchiko houses and museums are excluded. Recalculate JR costs for regular trains, reserved seats or passes.
This assumes travel via Uchiko to Ozu before returning towards Matsuyama Airport on the final day. JR sections are Matsuyama–Uchiko JPY 1,610, Uchiko–Iyo-Ozu JPY 780 and Iyo-Ozu–Matsuyama JPY 1,840, each once. Three trams cover Dogo return and Okaido–JR once. JR-station–airport buses are extra. Omitting Uchiko or departing Ozu for another city changes sections and costs. Luggage storage is extra, with availability and fees unconfirmed.
Castle fees and hoursBath courses, fees and booking conditionsApril 2026 fare table, page twoBoarding and payment methodsFare tableOzu City castle guide
Questions before departure
Is an All Shikoku pass cheaper for Uchiko and Ozu trips?
For three Matsuyama nights with separate Uchiko and Ozu trips, return unreserved limited expresses cost JPY 3,220 and JPY 3,680, totalling JPY 6,900. After the 1 October 2026 revision, adult All Shikoku passes cost JPY 12,000 for three days or JPY 20,000 for seven; four-day and five-day sales ended. These ordinary return tickets cost less than the three-day pass. Add other cities' JR sections and validity to comparisons if travelling further. Check foreign-passport and Temporary Visitor requirements; Iyotetsu trams, airport buses, castle admission and bathing are excluded. Revision conditions checked 9 October 2026; JR fares checked 8 October.
Official All Shikoku Rail Pass October 2026 revision noticeOfficial All Shikoku Rail Pass informationFare table
Can I see Uchiko and move to Ozu the same day?
Allow about three hours for Uchiko meals and walks, then the 15-minute station walk and boarding time before an Iyo-Ozu train. Stop on the accommodation-moving day only if you can walk with light luggage. With large luggage, go straight to Iyo-Ozu and visit Uchiko another day or omit it. Direct travel changes JR sections and costs.
Uchiko tourism visitor guidanceUchiko StationIyo-Ozu StationRakutabi sales suspension notice
Official sources and check dates
- Castle fees and hours ·
- Lower-station access ·
- Bath courses, fees and booking conditions ·
- Uchiko tourism visitor guidance ·
- Tourism-association closure guidance ·
- Uchiko Town dressing-room access notice ·
- Ozu City castle guide ·
- Fare table ·
- Matsuyama Station ·
- Uchiko Station ·
- Iyo-Ozu Station ·
- Ozu Castle access ·
- Tabirian location and general hours ·
- Tourism association FY2024 report ·
- Rakutabi sales suspension notice ·
- Airport limousine routes, fares and 1–24 October 2026 timetable ·
- Matsuyama Airport bus guide ·
- City tram timetable ·
- April 2026 fare table, page two ·
- Boarding and payment methods ·
- Official All Shikoku Rail Pass information ·
- Official Dogo station, shopping street and Honkan walking map ·
- Official All Shikoku Rail Pass October 2026 revision notice ·