Matsuyama. Matsuyama is the largest city in Shikoku and the capital of Ehime Prefecture. At the heart of the city stands a beautiful, original castle. The castle’s hilltop vantage point offers a view of the city and a glimpse of the Seto Inland Sea.
The city is also famed for being the setting of Natsume Soseki’s popular novel, entitled “Botchan”. Often read as part of the Japanese school curriculum, the novel describes Matsuyama during the turbulent Mejji Restoration. Natsume’s novel helped make the city renowned throughout Japan
Matsuyama is located in Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands of Japan. Facing the tranquil and beautiful Seto Inland Sea, the region has a pleasant climate – mild throughout the year with little rainfall. With the sea to the west and mountains to the east, it’s a place that offers both the conveniences of a city and the slow pace of the countryside.
Matsuyama Castle is one of Japan’s great mountain castles, proudly standing approximately 132 meters above sea level atop Mt. Katsuyama near the Matsuyama city center. Construction of the castle began in 1602 under the supervision of Kato Yoshiaki and took over 20 years to complete. The castle’s main keep, towering at the summit, provides 360-degree panoramic views over Matsuyama and the Seto Inland Sea. Noteworthy features include the only surviving watchtower-style double turret in Japan and climbing stone walls. Almost all of Matsuyama Castle’s grounds have been converted into Shiroyama Park, one of Matsuyama’s main urban parks. In the Horinouchi area of Shiroyama Park, which was once the third bailey of Matsuyama Castle and housed the domain’s offices and samurai residences, now features a number of open fields. Shiroyama Park has also been recognized as one of Japan’s top 100 spots for cherry blossom viewing (1989) and one of Japan’s top 100 historical parks (2006).
