Shanghai - Japan Shikoku 13 Days Part 2-12 - Enjoying the Sea of Cherry Blossoms from the Matsuyama Castle Chairlift Cable Car

Day 2 (Friday, 2025/3/14) Imabari - Matsuyama:

Sightseeing: Kurushima Strait Observatory / Itoyama Park overlooking Kurushima Strait Bridge / Imabari Castle / Fukiage Inari Shrine / Imabari Street Scenery / JR Matsuyama Station Iyo-Tan Monogatari Sightseeing Train / Matsuyama Castle Park (Horinouchi Area) / Bansui Villa / Matsuyama Castle / Matsuyama General Park.

At Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, you can take the ropeway cable car or chairlift cable car from the Matsuyama Castle Cable Car Station to go up the mountain. Alternatively, you can start directly from the Ninomaru Historical Garden or Shiroyama Park at the foot of the mountain and walk about 20 to 30 minutes along the castle path to reach Matsuyama Castle.

The entrance to the Matsuyama Castle Ropeway is located at 3-2-46 Okaido, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. From JR Matsuyama Station, take the city tram bound for Dogo Onsen, get off at Okaido Station, and walk about 5 minutes to reach the ropeway entrance.

The Matsuyama Castle Ropeway and Chairlift Cable Car are convenient transportation options to reach Matsuyama Castle in Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Ropeway: Uses a three-line shuttle type ordinary ropeway, with a slope length of 327.32 meters, a height difference of 62.36 meters, a steepest gradient of 22°33′, operating speed of 3.6 meters/second, a one-way trip of about 2 minutes 30 seconds, running every 20 minutes, with a capacity of 35 people. It opened on July 13, 1966 (Showa 41).

Chairlift Cable Car: Uses a single-line fixed circulation special ropeway, with a slope length of 348.13 meters, a height difference of 61.02 meters, a steepest gradient of 22°33′, operating speed of 1.0 meter/second, a one-way trip of about 5 minutes 40 seconds, no waiting time during operation, with a capacity of 1 person. It opened on August 7, 1955 (Showa 30).

Both start from the Shinnomiya Entrance Station at the foot of the mountain and arrive at Chojahira Station. After getting off, it is about a 10-minute walk to the entrance of the Tenshukaku (castle tower). Operating hours are from 8:30 to 17:00. The chairlift cable car suspends operation on rainy days. Ticket prices: one-way tickets for both the ropeway and chairlift cable car are 270 yen, and round-trip tickets are 520 yen.

We took the chairlift cable car up and down the mountain. Riding the chairlift cable car slowly ascending from the foot of the mountain, you can overlook the cityscape of Matsuyama City and enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms along the way. All the photos uploaded today were taken on the chairlift cable car, showing the sea of cherry blossoms along the route.

Post by CAMERON BOWERS | Oct 24, 2025