[2025 Matsuyama Attraction] Travel Guide for BOTCHAN TRAIN (Updated Jun)

#railway #松山市 Matsuyama Electric is one of the main means of transportation in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, and is operated by Iyo Railway Company. This streetcar system connects various important locations in Matsuyama City, including business districts, residential areas, and tourist attractions. Songshan Electric Power not only provides convenient transportation services to local residents, but also attracts many tourists to experience its unique charm. A major feature of Matsuyama City is the Young Master Train, a retro-style sightseeing train. The design of the Young Master train was inspired by Natsume Soseki's novel "The Young Master". The "matchbox-like train" the protagonist rides in the novel is the prototype of this train. The Young Master train attracts many tourists with its nostalgic appearance and unique riding experience. The train is powered by a diesel engine and is equipped with smoke effects that simulate a steam locomotive, transporting passengers back to the Meiji era. There are many famous attractions along Songshan Municipal Line. Here are a few of them worth visiting: ⭐️Matsuyama Castle: This castle is located in the center of Matsuyama and is one of the twelve existing castles in Japan. Visitors can take a cable car or walk up to the castle to enjoy panoramic views of Matsuyama City. ⭐️Dogo Onsen: This is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, famous for its healing hot spring water and traditional Japanese architecture. The Dogo Onsen Main Building is a landmark building here, attracting countless tourists to experience it. ⭐️Sakagami No Cloud Museum: This museum displays historical artifacts related to Natsume Soseki and the Akiyama brothers. It is a good place to learn about the history and culture of Matsuyama City

During your trip to Matsuyama, you must experience the charming and classic train known as the **Botchan Train (坊っちゃん列車)**. Let me introduce you to this delightful attraction. This vintage steam locomotive-style train, which stands out in the streets of Dogo Onsen, is a restored version of an actual train that operated in Japan during the late 1800s. Although it now runs on electricity, its exterior remains true to its original design! The nostalgic clattering of the train will surely make your heart flutter. ⸻ 🛤️ What is the Botchan Train? • Name Origin: The name 'Botchan' comes from the novel 『Botchan』 by Japanese author Natsume Soseki. The story is set in Matsuyama, and the protagonist rides this train in the narrative. This makes the train a cherished symbol for both locals and visitors, filled with memories and stories. • Design Features: Wooden interiors, narrow wooden bench seats, and staff dressed in uniform-like attire! It's perfect for taking photos 📸. The conductor provides explanations in Japanese, but they can also assist with simple English. ⸻ 🕒 Operating Hours and Routes • Routes: Dogo Onsen Station – Okaido – Matsuyama Station Front, etc. (Two main routes: City Line and Matsuyama Station Line) • Operating Hours: From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, running approximately every hour. ※ Operating hours may vary depending on the season or weather conditions. • Fare: Adults 300 yen, Children 150 yen (※ 2025 rates, transportation cards not accepted). Discounts are available if you have a 1-day tourist pass. ⸻ 🚋 Tips for Riding • Tickets can be purchased on-site! They are easily available at Dogo Onsen Station, Matsuyama City Tourist Information Centers, and more. • Seats are unreserved, but if there are many passengers, it's best to arrive early and line up. • For photos, the best opportunity is when the train is stopped at the station!

I wanted to buy a walking pass and go around, but I overslept, so I decided to just take my time and travel around Matsuyama. I went there from Busan using Air Busan, and since both my departure and return flights were in the evening, it was 3 nights and 4 days, but if you actually plan a trip around the tourist destination, it would be 2 nights and 3 days. I didn't ask for details, but if you search on Google, it's an all-pass? I was going to buy a 3-day pass that uses the suburban line and tram, but when I went to a place with a sign for Iyotetsu (Iyo Railway Company) and asked, they said they were no longer selling it. Those who are planning to buy a pass should look into the related information carefully. They showed me some kind of coated paper and it said that it would no longer be sold starting in mid-April. However, apart from buying the pass, Matsuyama itself was really quiet and great for a solo trip. It was quite hot, but I had fun walking around and ate a lot of delicious food. However, I regretted it a little because I had to take the tram or walk to get to the hotel right above Matsuyama Castle according to Google Maps. I should have just stayed around Okaido. I ate a lot of delicious food, and the people were very kind and nice. Maybe because it was a small city, I didn't speak much English, but I had studied Japanese before, so simple communication was no problem. If you're worried about communication, I recommend turning on a translation app like Papago and showing it to them. I had a great time. I didn't buy a walking pass on this trip, but I think it wouldn't be bad to come back next time when the weather is nice and buy a walking pass and take a walk.

3 nights 4 days Day 1 Baishinji Fujigrand Daiso Day 2 Seria Isaniwa Shrine Enmanji Dogo Onsen Botchan Train Promenade Footbath Day 3 Matsuyama Castle Michael Office in Ehime Prefectural Office A trip to Matsuyama that was neither noisy nor boring^^* Recommended #Matsuyama #JapanTravel #SmallJapaneseCity

Dogo Onsen Station, the gateway to Dogo Onsen, is a tourist spot characterized by its retro wooden station building. It can be accessed by tram from Matsuyama Station in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, and is a symbol of Dogo Onsen. In front of the station, there is an exhibition of the "Botchan Train" that once operated, and you can enjoy the retro atmosphere. There is also a Starbucks next to the station, which is perfect for taking a break between sightseeing. Be sure to stop by here as the starting point of your Dogo Onsen tour! #0YenTravelFebruary2025

#New York Flight Ticket Event The Botchan Train is said to have been restored from a steam locomotive that actually ran on the streets in 1967! It was a train that allowed you to see history by recreating the past! On weekends, it actually runs and you can ride it, so if it fits your travel schedule, I recommend riding it!

Dogo Onsen, known as a place associated with Meiji literature, has been a healing spot for many literary giants including Natsume Soseki and Masaoka Shiki. The town is dotted with stone monuments inscribed with haiku, and it is famously the setting for Soseki's novel 'Botchan.' Visitors can ride the 'Botchan Train,' soak in the waters of the 'Dogo Onsen Honkan,' and enjoy 'Botchan Dango' after their bath. The scenery that captivated Soseki still welcomes visitors today. The 'Dogo Onsen Honkan,' a grand three-story wooden structure with a large gabled roof rebuilt in the 27th year of the Meiji era, stands proudly at the center of the hot spring town. The 'Toki Taiko' drum, struck three times a day from the 'Shirasagikaku' tower at the top, continues to mark the passage of time in Dogo.

#HotelAccommodationEvent It reminds me of Galaxy Express 999, and it looks like a toy, but it runs and is worth seeing. It's nice to see it running directly in the city. I think the train only runs on weekends. I think the price was 1300 yen for adults. It's fun to just ride the regular tram and go around once.