Weekend Trip to Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku: A 2-Night, 3-Day Model Itinerary to Enjoy Spectacular Views and Local Cuisine

When you live around the Kanto region, you rarely have the chance to set foot in Shikoku.

That’s understandable because Shikoku feels really far away, doesn’t it?
Are you one of those people who think you need a long holiday to visit Shikoku?

Actually, about 2.3 days, including Friday night and a regular weekend, is enough to fully enjoy it!

In this article, I’ll introduce a 2.3-day model itinerary for Ehime Prefecture that I personally experienced.

This is an itinerary that allows you to fully enjoy the spectacular views and local cuisine accessible from Ehime Prefecture.

It should be helpful for those who want to visit Shikoku but don’t know exactly where to go, or for busy people who can’t take much time off.

I traveled from Tokyo to Shikoku, so this model itinerary assumes you’re starting from Tokyo. Feel free to adjust the transportation methods according to where you live.

Target Audience

 

• People who want to quickly tour Shikoku (around Ehime Prefecture) on a weekend
• Those seeking a journey of scenic beauty and delicious food
• People planning a trip with 2-4 travelers

 

What You’ll Get from This Article

 

By reading this article, you’ll get the following information:

• A 2.3-day model itinerary for traveling around Ehime Prefecture
• Must-visit culinary spots and tourist attractions
• What worked well and what could have been improved based on my actual experience

 

This article will help you visualize a concrete travel schedule and sightseeing activities.

For those who are vaguely considering a trip to Shikoku, this content should be highly useful.

Now, let’s get to the main topic.

Introducing the Destination and Model Itinerary

Leave work about an hour early on Friday and head to Ehime Prefecture by plane.

On Saturday, enjoy the spectacular views of Shikoku Karst and relax in Dogo Onsen to soothe your travel fatigue.

On Sunday, look down on Shikoku from the scenic viewpoint of Kirosan Observatory Park, tour some attractions, and then head back home.

A 2.3-day course to enjoy the scenic beauty and cuisine of Ehime Prefecture

Day 0 (Friday)	17:30	Head to Haneda Airport
	19:25	Depart from Haneda Airport to Matsuyama Airport
	21:30	Arrive at Matsuyama Airport. Take a taxi to the accommodation.
	22:00	Check in at Hotel Taiyo Noen.
	22:30	Take a short walk outside
	23:00	Go to bed. Prepare for tomorrow.
Day 1 (Saturday)	6:00	Go to Dogo Onsen and get a numbered ticket for bathing in the evening.
	8:00	Return to Hotel Taiyo Noen and have breakfast.
	9:00	Rent a car. Head to Shikoku Karst.
	11:30	Eat cheesecake at Mominoki near Shikoku Karst.
	12:30	Enjoy the spectacular view of Shikoku Karst.
		Head from Shikoku Karst to Matsuyama Castle.
	16:30	Explore Matsuyama Castle.
	18:00	Have dinner at Hanano-n (reservation recommended).
	20:00	Relax at Dogo Onsen to soothe your travel fatigue.
	22:00	Return to the accommodation.
Day 2 (Sunday)	8:00	Have breakfast at Hotel Taiyo Noen and explore Dogo in the morning.
	9:00	Head to Kirosan Observatory Park via the Shimanami Kaido.
	11:00	Look down on the Shimanami Kaido and Shikoku from Kirosan Observatory Park.
	13:00	Take a break and enjoy parfait at Coffee Roman Pipe no Kemuri.
	15:00	Visit the Imabari Towel Museum.
	18:30	Arrive at Matsuyama Airport a bit early.
	19:30	Fly from Matsuyama Airport to Haneda Airport.
	21:00	Arrive at Haneda Airport. Head home.

 

Day 0 Schedule Details

Cut work a little early and prepare for your trip.

From Haneda Airport to Matsuyama Airport

The journey begins!

Car rental agencies near Matsuyama Airport have short operating hours.

Note that no rental car agencies are open after 20:00.

In this model itinerary, we arrive at Matsuyama Airport around 21:00.
So, take a taxi from Matsuyama Airport to your accommodation.

It should cost about 5,000-6,000 yen to get to an accommodation near Dogo Onsen.

 

Check-in at Hotel Taiyo Noen

We’ll stay at this hotel for two nights.

Source: Rakuten Travel Hotel Taiyo Noen Page

It seems to be a hotel run by farmers.
Why I chose this accommodation will become clear tomorrow.

 

Brief Stroll Around Matsuyama City Station Shopping Street

Take a short walk around the shopping street near Matsuyama City Station.

I found a nice izakaya and dropped in for a quick drink.

Since we have an early start tomorrow, go to bed early without overdoing it.

 

Day 1 Schedule Details

This is where the real journey begins.

It’s a very packed schedule.
Be prepared!

Head Straight to Dogo Onsen. Get a Numbered Ticket for Evening Bathing

Dogo Onsen distributes numbered tickets right after opening.
Your mission is to visit Dogo Onsen early in the morning and get this ticket.

Set a time for the numbered ticket that accounts for when you’ll return to Dogo Onsen in the evening.

This famous historical hot spring’s tickets run out early.
You can’t just casually decide to visit the onsen in the evening.

This is an important point of the trip, so be determined and line up in the morning.

According to other travelers,
there was a line of about 100 people at 5:30 AM for the 6:00 AM opening.
Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/Crzw0L_OdUz/?img_index=1

Side Note

Actually, this is a part I added based on my own failure.
I went to Dogo Onsen in the evening without getting a numbered ticket in advance.

By the time I visited Dogo Onsen in the evening, they had stopped issuing tickets,
and I couldn’t enter the main building of Dogo Onsen.

That’s when I learned that tickets are issued early in the morning (and you can specify a time).

I’m sharing this so you don’t make the same mistake.

Have Breakfast at Hotel Taiyo Noen

Hotel Taiyo Noen is introduced as "a farmer-run inn proud of its breakfast."

I thought it was just an exaggeration, but I was wrong.
They offer a buffet with fresh vegetables and rice.

I was able to have a healthy breakfast.

The most highly recommended item is the French toast.
There were many comments on review sites saying this French toast is incredibly delicious! (I was half-skeptical when I chose this accommodation based on these comments).

Indeed, it’s crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and the flavor is thoroughly infused—truly delicious!
I ended up eating four pieces.

Rent a Car and Head to Shikoku Karst

Now that we’ve had our meal, let’s get our transportation for the trip.

The road to Shikoku Karst is long and challenging.

There are many narrow roads, so I recommend renting a car that’s powerful yet compact.

Also, be careful with the routes suggested by Google Maps.
Sometimes it guides you through mountain roads that are only wide enough for one car.
(I followed the guidance and ended up driving on such a road… It was quite challenging…)

 

Eat Cheesecake at Mominoki Cafe

There’s a cafe near Shikoku Karst (called Mominoki) that’s famous for its cheesecake.

I love the exterior already.
I’m eager to try the cheesecake infused with the power of nature.

Let’s order right away.
You can tell from the appearance, right? Yes, the cheese is melty!

Here’s another close-up shot.
I’ve never seen such a fluffy and melty cheesecake before.

Rest your body tired from the long drive while being comforted by the delicious cheesecake.

 

Enjoy the Spectacular View of Shikoku Karst

With a satisfied stomach after dessert,
let’s fully enjoy the spectacular view of Shikoku Karst.

Drive a little further from Mominoki, and you’ll reach the scenic point of Shikoku Karst.

And so we arrive.

The view from near the summit was… breathtaking.
Although it wasn’t perfectly clear, the sunlight streaming through gaps in the clouds was absolutely beautiful.

While the photo is quite beautiful, it’s several times more stunning when seen with the naked eye.
It’s a road I’d like to drive on with a motorcycle as well as a car.

Partly because it was cold, I bought a cup of Karst Coffee.
Coffee tastes especially delicious when you drink it in the cold.

After fully enjoying it, let’s go down the mountain.

The day is far from over.

Explore Matsuyama Castle

When visiting prefectures, castles are a must!

Let’s head to Matsuyama Castle.

Being in the autumn foliage season, the surrounding scenery was very beautiful.
(I arrived later than the time in the model itinerary to enjoy the illuminated autumn leaves.)

Oh, I almost forgot about the castle itself.
There was a line to enter the castle, so I just took a photo from a distance.

And now it’s time for dinner.

Dinner at Hanano-n (Reservation Recommended)

I visited Hanano-n, a restaurant near our accommodation.

It’s very popular, so a reservation is definitely required.

As for the taste… the pictures speak for themselves.

Thank you for the meal.

 

Relax at Dogo Onsen to Soothe Your Travel Fatigue

If you managed to get a numbered ticket in advance, wash away your travel sweat at Dogo Onsen.

※ Since I didn’t have a numbered ticket, I distracted myself with the panel photos outside

You can hardly enter the main building without a numbered ticket, but you can enter the annex building after a short wait.

The annex bath is quite enjoyable too, so don’t be disappointed!

Asuka no Yu is impressive as well.

The exterior design of the building is lovely.

The exterior of Tsubaki no Yu is simply cool.

And let’s explore the Dogo Onsen area!
Japanese sweets are essential for an onsen trip!

After fully enjoying Dogo Onsen, Day 1 comes to an end.

Let’s rest our bodies for the next day.

Day 2 Schedule Details

Our sightseeing tour continues.

Have Breakfast at Hotel Taiyo Noen and Explore Around Dogo

Following Day 1, we have our second breakfast at Hotel Taiyo Noen.

I introduced various delicious foods on Day 1, but the hotel’s breakfast is also delicious.

A proper meal is important as we still have a long journey ahead.

With some extra time in the morning, I explored Dogo Onsen and the shopping street early in the morning.

I tried comparing different types of orange juices at Mikan Juice Specialty Store 10 Factory.
The taste varies completely depending on the type of orange – some are more acidic, others are sweeter.

Once again, I explored around Dogo Onsen.
(I arrived at Dogo Onsen too late the previous day, and most shops were closed, so this was my revenge tour.)

The morning atmosphere of Dogo Onsen is different from the evening, and it’s equally charming.
You get to enjoy the same place twice in different ways.

I ate Dogo Pudding, which I couldn’t have the day before.

Now, let’s head to our next scenic spot.

Head to Kirosan Observatory Park via Shimanami Kaido

We’ll head to Kirosan Observatory Park via the Shimanami Kaido, which connects Shikoku and Honshu.

We’ll use the expressway for this journey.

We cross the connecting bridge.

We’ve arrived at Kirosan Observatory Park.

The view from the top is… spectacular.

We look down at the connecting bridge we just crossed.
The arrangement of the connecting bridge leading to Shikoku and the islands scattered on both sides is artistically beautiful.

After thoroughly enjoying it, let’s go down the mountain again.

Break and Parfait at Coffee Roman Pipe no Kemuri

After a long drive, it’s time for a break as fatigue starts to show.

Let’s make a detour to Coffee Roman Pipe no Kemuri in Imabari city.

I can’t resist a retro café.

First, let’s have a light meal.

And don’t forget dessert after the meal.

Thank you for the meal.

Visit the Imabari Towel Museum

Finally, Imabari is famous for its high-quality towels.

We can’t miss this tourist spot.

The exterior is already cute. I like the font of the "TOWEL" letters.

Towel yarns densely lined up! And they’re colorful!
So cute.

It feels like you could transport to another dimension if you hit the wall of towel yarns.

Let’s leave the museum while keeping an eye on our flight time.

 

Head to Matsuyama Airport

You must be feeling maximum fatigue after these two packed days.

Be extra careful to avoid injuries or forgetting anything until the very end.

 

Arrive at Haneda Airport and Head Home

I was so exhausted on the way back that I didn’t have the energy to take photos.

Well done on completing this long journey.

Don’t you think we managed quite a lot of sightseeing just over the weekend?

 

The Good Points of This Model Itinerary

Here are some positive aspects of this model itinerary.
I hope these will be helpful when you’re planning your own trip.

• You can enjoy both nature and local cuisine
  • Actually, Shikoku Karst was the main focus when I was planning this Ehime trip
  • I built the travel schedule around Shikoku Karst
  • On top of that, I got to taste many delicious local specialties in Ehime Prefecture
• You can efficiently visit tourist spots within a limited time
  • This is obvious. It’s been proven that you can visit Shikoku over just a weekend!

 

Lessons Learned from the Actual Trip

Here are some things that would have made the trip even more satisfying…

• Dogo Onsen is 10 times more crowded than imagined
  • Getting a numbered ticket is absolutely essential
  • If Dogo Onsen is your main destination, you should rearrange your schedule
  • You might want to plan to spend the whole day at Dogo Onsen
• The road to Shikoku Karst was more challenging than expected
  • It’s not always good to follow Google Maps too strictly
  • There are some narrow, rough roads that seem more suitable for off-road motorcycles. Tourists should definitely avoid these.
• If exploring Matsuyama Castle is your main focus, you should rearrange your schedule
  • There’s quite a line to enter the castle
  • The gondola stops operating early, so check the schedule

 

Conclusion

In this article, I introduced a model itinerary for an Ehime trip that can be done over a weekend.

Honestly, before traveling to Ehime, I was in the "I want to go to Shikoku, but what’s there?" state.

After actually traveling there, I felt "I want to go to so many places! There’s not enough time."

I discovered many more places I want to visit, both in Ehime Prefecture and throughout Shikoku.
I hope to travel there again sometime.

Thank you for reading this far.