(2 Days 1 Night)Soak in the Historic Hot Springs of Dogo – Ehime Cultural Exploration
Experience the thrilling rapids up close on the impressive Kurushima Strait sightseeing boat, and touch traditional crafts through Tobe pottery painting and hand-building experiences. This fulfilling journey allows you to fully enjoy Ehime’s nature, culture, and history by visiting the historic Matsuyama Castle and the world’s unique Towel Museum, and spending a relaxing time at Japan’s oldest Dogo Onsen hot springs.
Day1
Route: Matsuyama Station → Towel Museum → Shimanami Kurushima Strait → Dogo Onsen
Departure from Matsuyama Station (around 9:30 AM)
Transportation: 60 minutes by car
Towel Museum (75 minutes)
A unique museum in the world where towels and art are fused together. You can see galleries that showcase Imabari towel products as art and permanent Moomin exhibitions. The vast grounds also feature garden areas where you can be healed by seasonal plants and succulents. With four cafes and restaurants on site, you can enjoy meals according to your mood.
While viewing the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, you can enjoy fresh seafood cuisine and charcoal barbecue with fresh seafood. They also sell many vegetables, fresh fish, and local specialties harvested on the island.
A sightseeing boat where you can experience the rapids of “Kurushima Strait,” one of Japan’s three major tidal currents, up close and feel the power and emotion. This experiential cruise is full of highlights, touring the spectacular views of Setouchi’s multi-island beauty, shipyard complexes, and “Kurushima,” the ruins of Murakami pirates’ castle.
A museum surrounded by gardens filled with water and greenery. It displays about 300 items including the red plate glass of Shinrokaku, the symbol of Dogo Onsen Honkan, Edo period giyaman and vidro, and Meiji and Taisho period Japanese glass. The garden is decorated with objects using glass and water, offering plenty to see.
A 250-meter shopping street adjacent to the Dogo Onsen Honkan building. Souvenir shops and restaurants line the street, bustling with many tourists. Look for local gourmet food and specialty products.
Transportation: by car
Overnight at Dogo Onsen
Day2
Route: Dogo Onsen → Tobe Pottery Hall → Matsuyama Castle → Clouds Above the Hill Museum → Matsuyama Station
Departure from Dogo Onsen (around 9:30 AM)
Transportation: 30 minutes by car
Pottery Experience / Tobe Pottery Hall
Tobe pottery, designated as an intangible cultural property, is ceramics produced mainly in Tobe Town, Ehime Prefecture. Characterized by hand-painted thin blue patterns on white base, it’s durable and chip-resistant, making it very practical. At Tobe Pottery Hall, you can experience pottery making including wheel throwing, hand-building, and painting, and they also display and sell daily tableware and unique pieces.
The main Okaido street at the foot of Matsuyama Castle. A famous shopping district with many stores offering Ehime gourmet food and local specialties. You can enjoy food walking as well as dining at relaxed restaurants. It’s also a 500-meter shopping district that’s barrier-free, which is rare nationwide.
A castle built on a 132-meter-high mountain in central Matsuyama City. There are four castle approach roads and a ropeway to reach the main keep. Enjoy the stone walls called “climbing stone walls,” which are rare nationwide, and the spectacular view from the main keep.
A museum themed on Shiba Ryotaro’s novel “Clouds Above the Hill.” There are many highlights including diverse exhibitions with annually changing themes and buildings designed by world-renowned architect “Tadao Ando.” It’s a popular museum visited by many people, even those who haven’t read the novel.
