On next morning after having breakfast we visited the Matsuyama Castle – 1 of 12 original castles in Japan. The castle is located on a mount about 100m+, served by a ropeway and chairlift on the side. We took the chairlift – first time of all our castle visits in Japan so far and commenced hiking up to the entrance of Honmaru (the Main Keep).

Inside the Main Keep there were several wings. All visitors had to follow a route heading up and down via narrow wooden stairs.  There were plenty of artifacts and exhibits about the history of the castle, weapons, swords, armours used by samurai, shoguns etc. 

Sakura was blooming at 50%, with early-blooming varieties such as Oshima, Youkou (literally sunlight) in peak blossom. 

Ishitei-ji (石手寺)

After enjoying a Yuzu-taste ice-cream (in orange) and resting for a while, we descended back to the street level and waited for a route bus to Ishitei-ji.  While we’re waiting I spotted the Hawaiian guy in his sunglasses whom we met the day before on the ferry. He had also finished visiting the castle – what a coincidence!   We chatted briefly but we had to part again when the route bus arrived.

It took about 15 min to arrive at the temple.  

Ishitei-ji (literally means stone hand temple) is temple number 51 along the 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. This was the first temple we visited in Ehime Prefecture. Walking through a covered approach there were shops selling buddhist related artifacts though only a few were open.  After entering via the Niomon the temple ground was filled with multiple halls and a 3-storey pagoda.  On the left there’s another entrance where a long tunnel inside a cave was supposed to lead to an inner temple.  We followed through it where some bats were flying along eerily.  After about 5 min we emerged from the cave where there’s a mountain road though there was nothing resembling any temple infrastructure was in sight except for long grasses and forests.  Feeling a bit disappointed we descended via the mountain road back to the main hall and left. 

Back to Dogo onsen we went for lunch in the shopping arcade. Ordered two Tai-meshi lunch sets which is famous locally. We like Tai (sea bream) sashimi anyway and the sets were delicious. Afterwards we strolled around the shopping arcade until it’s time for our reserved timeslot to visit the Dogo onsen Honkan restricted rooms where this is the only onsen in Japan the Japanese Emperor and Royalties stayed for onsen.

It was a small group of 7 people including the two of us led by a local lady speaking in English. She showed the Yushinden (gate) entrance where only Japanese Royalties could use. Indoor we were guided along narrow corridors outside the living/bedroom (without stepping in) with detail explanations about the architecture, symbols and usage.  The indoor onsen room for soaking is in the basement with an adjacent changing room and a small Japanese garden.   It lasted for about 30 min and the lady was very friendly responding to our questions as well as taking photos for us.  This local tour is highly recommended. 

Took city tram to Okaido station and strolled in the Matsuyama covered shopping arcade which is much larger with more shops and eateries.  Had coffee and cake and returned to hotel after 2 hours. Strolled in the fairly spacious hotel landscape garden with sakura trees, small streams amongst others before rain clouds slowly rolled in.  Soaked in onsen for the last time before western dinner. 

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