A 1-night, 2-day trip to Matsuyama, Japan!

This marks my 155th trip to Japan, and this time, it's a short 1-night, 2-day itinerary to Matsuyama. I last visited Shikoku for a 2-night, 3-day trip in April last year, and now, 16 months later, I'm returning. During this trip, I'll be staying for approximately 18 hours. Despite the short duration, I've planned a fulfilling schedule that includes breakfast, afternoon tea, Starbucks, and exploring manhole covers—my four main themes for this trip. Since I already have a 3-night, 4-day trip to Matsuyama planned for October, this visit is more of a quick getaway. Matsuyama has very few places that serve afternoon tea. Last year, I visited one, but this time, I thought I wouldn't be able to go due to scheduling conflicts. However, I managed to secure a reservation for 6 PM through LINE, so I'll be visiting after all. The restaurant is a small, privately-owned establishment that offers meals and afternoon tea, which requires reservations at least three days in advance. Successfully booking an evening reservation has made this the highlight of my trip. The restaurant is located in Dōon, about a 30-minute bus ride from Matsuyama. On the way back, there are no buses available, so I'll need to walk 1.2 kilometers to the nearest station and take the Iyo Railway to Matsuyama City Station. The last train departs around 9 PM, so traveling in Shikoku requires careful planning. I learned this the hard way in Kōchi, where I missed the last train at 9 PM. 🤣 Back then, I was in the city, so I managed to walk 3-4 kilometers to return. However, this area is more remote, with few cars or people, so I need to ensure I make it back safely. When traveling to small towns, always check public transportation schedules in advance. Thank you!