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

#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

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.