Matsuyama Hotels

Matsuyama is the capital city of Ehime Prefecture on the Shikoku island of Japan. It is located on the northeastern portion of the Dôgo Plain. Its name means "pine tree mountain." The city was founded on December 15, 1889.The city is known for hot springs (onsen) and is home to Dôgo Onsen, the oldest hot spring bath house in Japan. A second favorite tourist spot is Matsuyama Castle. Eight of the eighty-eight temples in the Shikoku Pilgrimage are in Matsuyama. Matsuyama was in medieval times part of the Iyo-Matsuyama Domain, a fiefdom of Iyo Province consisting mainly of a castle town, supporting Matsuyama Castle. There was a nearby village at Dôgo Onsen to the east and a port somewhat farther to the west at Mitsuhama providing a link to the Japanese mainland (Honshû) and Kyûshû. Dôgo Onsen was already famous in the Nara period, and Shotoku Taishi visited the spa in the year 596. It is also mentioned in passing in The Tale of Genji. Famous Buddhist temples in Matsuyama include Ishite-ji and Taisanji, both dating back to the 8th century, although the oldest surviving buildings are from the early 14th century. Famous shrines of the city include Isaniwa shrine, built in 1667.