Matsuyama in 1 night/2 days: stay in Okaido or Dogo?

Day 1: go up to Matsuyama Castle

Stay one night near Okaido, visiting Matsuyama Castle’s keep on day 1 and Dogo Onsen Honkan on day 2.

1. Matsuyama Airport or JR Matsuyama Station → Okaido stop

   If arriving by JR, take city tram 5 towards Dogo Onsen from JR Matsuyama Station and get off at Okaido. From the airport, collect your baggage and choose a limousine bus that serves Okaido. Some airport buses do not stop there, so check the stops in your travel date’s timetable. Arrival transport on day 1 is excluded from the sightseeing subtotal below.

   City tram timetable2026-10-08Airport limousine routes, fares and 1–24 October 2026 timetable2026-10-08Lower station access2026-10-08

2. Okaido stop → Shinonomeguchi ropeway lower station

   Walk from Okaido tram stop to the Shinonomeguchi ropeway lower station. Official guidance gives about 5 minutes on foot.

   Lower station access2026-10-08

3. Shinonomeguchi ropeway lower station → Upper station and keep ticket office

   Buy a ¥520 adult return ticket at the lower station and take the ropeway. From the upper station, walk through the Honmaru grounds to the keep ticket office. The operator’s roughly 30-minute journey from the lower station’s first floor to the ticket office excludes time inside the keep.

   Castle fees and hours2026-10-08Lower station access2026-10-08

4. Keep ticket office → Matsuyama Castle keep

   Adult keep admission costs ¥520, separately from the return ropeway ticket. Usual hours are 09:00–17:00, with last admission 30 minutes before closing. Hours differ in August and December–January; check your date’s closing time before entering.

   Castle fees and hours2026-10-08

5. Matsuyama Castle keep → Ropeway lower station and Okaido shopping street

   After your visit, return to the upper boarding area and take the ropeway down. Walk from the lower station towards Okaido for a meal or a break.

   Lower station access2026-10-08

Day 2: bathe at Dogo Onsen, return to Okaido and depart

1. Okaido hotel → Dogo Onsen Honkan

   Take city tram 3 from Okaido towards Dogo Onsen. Get off at the terminus, Dogo Onsen Station, and walk along Haikara-dori to Honkan. Honkan’s Kami-no-Yu bathing-only option costs ¥700 for adults, operates 06:00–23:00 with reception until 22:30, allows 60 minutes and does not accept reservations. Allow additional time for the walk from the station and any on-site queue.

   Bathing options, prices and reservation conditions2026-10-08City tram timetable2026-10-08April 2026 fare table, page 22026-10-08Official walking map: Dogo Onsen Station, shopping street and Honkan2026-10-08

2. Dogo Onsen Honkan → Okaido stop

   After bathing, return to Dogo Onsen Station and take tram 3 towards Matsuyama City Station, getting off at Okaido. Have a meal or break in the shopping area, then choose the airport or JR departure route below. For a morning departure, move this bath to another day.

   City tram timetable2026-10-08

Day 1: bathe at Dogo Onsen Honkan

Stay one night near Dogo, bathe at Honkan and visit the Honmaru viewpoint the next day. Return ropeway travel is included; the keep interior is excluded.

1. Matsuyama Airport or JR Matsuyama Station → Dogo Onsen Station stop

   If arriving by JR, take city tram 5 towards Dogo Onsen from JR Matsuyama Station and get off at Dogo Onsen Station. From the airport, check for a limousine service you can board after arrival that serves Dogo Onsen Station. Not every airport bus goes there. Day 1 arrival transport is excluded from the sightseeing subtotal.

   City tram timetable2026-10-08Airport limousine routes, fares and 1–24 October 2026 timetable2026-10-08Bathing options, prices and reservation conditions2026-10-08

2. Dogo Onsen Station and Haikara-dori → Dogo Onsen Honkan

   Walk along Haikara-dori from Dogo Onsen Station to Honkan for a hot-spring bath.

   Bathing options, prices and reservation conditions2026-10-08Official walking map: Dogo Onsen Station, shopping street and Honkan2026-10-08

3. Dogo Onsen Honkan → Dogo hotel

   Honkan’s Kami-no-Yu bathing-only option costs ¥700 for adults, opens 06:00–23:00 with reception until 22:30, allows 60 minutes and cannot be booked in advance. Queues or temporary changes may delay the start of your bath. Afterwards, choose somewhere open on Haikara-dori for dinner and return to your Dogo hotel. Its distance from Honkan depends on the booked address.

   Bathing options, prices and reservation conditions2026-10-08Official walking map: Dogo Onsen Station, shopping street and Honkan2026-10-08

Day 2: visit the castle’s Honmaru grounds via Okaido and return

1. Dogo hotel → Matsuyama Castle Honmaru grounds

   Take tram 3 from Dogo Onsen Station towards Matsuyama City Station and get off at Okaido. Walk about 5 minutes to Shinonomeguchi ropeway station and buy a ¥520 adult return ticket. From the upper station, continue on foot to Honmaru Square. The operator’s roughly 30-minute guidance covers ropeway travel and walking from the lower station’s first floor to the keep ticket office. Allow additional time to enjoy the Honmaru grounds. They are free to visit; this itinerary does not enter the keep.

   Castle fees and hours2026-10-08Lower station access2026-10-08City tram timetable2026-10-08April 2026 fare table, page 22026-10-08

2. Matsuyama Castle Honmaru grounds → Dogo Onsen Station

   Return from the Honmaru grounds to the upper boarding area and take the ropeway down. Walk to Okaido stop, take tram 3 towards Dogo Onsen and get off at Dogo Onsen Station. Choose the airport or JR departure route below according to your destination.

   Castle fees and hours2026-10-08City tram timetable2026-10-08