Welcome to Matsuyama, Japan, the largest city on Shikoku island, and a peaceful haven featuring many cultural delights. From the healing waters of hot springs, culinary temptations, to the many ways to discover the area's rich literary tradition, there is so much to explore.

Matsuyama grew over time around its 17th century castle. Still in its original form today, this extensive fortress is a museum featuring historic military and art relics. Perched high above the city, this scenic vantage point offers sweeping views of Matsuyama and the shimmering Seto Inland Sea—a breathtaking panorama that captures the essence of Japan’s coastal charm. Nearby, the storied Dōgo Onsen invites you to step into history. Believed to be Japan’s oldest hot spring, this beloved bathhouse—the inspiration for the setting of the beloved Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away’s and immortalized in Natsume Sōseki’s classic novel Botchan—welcomes guests with its refined architecture and timeless rituals of renewal.

Matsuyama is also the birthplace of Masaoka Shiki, the revered poet who revolutionized haiku. As you stroll the city’s leafy lanes, you’ll discover monuments to his legacy—quiet tributes to the art of capturing beauty in a single breath.