Getting Around Ehime | Arriving in Matsuyama & Local Transport Options

Ehime is a calming place to get away for a weekend or long holiday. It is situated in Shikoku Island in the south of Japan. Ehime Prefecture is long and widespread, but getting around Ehime is easy. Common modes of transportation are trains, buses, ferries and private cars. A journey through Ehime provides travelers with beautiful landscapes, huge mountains, and a perfect climate.

Air Travel

Matsuyama is a convenient area to arrive by air, with the airport located on the southwest boundary of the city. There are a number of international flights that fly directly into Matsuyama Airport. Evergreen Airways (EVA) has a direct flight from Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan to Matsuyama Airport. If you are flying from Incheon International Airport in South Korea, Jeju Air takes offers a flight that takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. China Eastern Airlines flies from Pudong International Airport in Shanghai to Matsuyama in about 1 hour and 45 mins.

Many travelers may wish to fly to Tokyo due to either convenience or preference before making their way to Ehime Prefecture. Air travel within Japan is quite reliable and cost-effective. All Nippon Airways (ANA) offers many flights daily from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. Japan Airlines also has several daily flights on this route. The flight duration is about 80 minutes. Alternatively, you can opt to fly out of Tokyo from Narita International Airport on Jetstar Japan which takes about an hour and 40 minutes.

FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN EHIME TODAY 

By Train

Japan is known all over the world for its fast and efficient train system. Getting to Matsuyama from Tokyo can be done using this effective mode of transportation. However, one thing you should be aware of is that few trains run regularly to Ehime. The easiest trip to Matsuyama from Tokyo is to take a JR train, run by Japan Railways Group, from Okayama, which is located in Honshu Island. Here, you can take one of 15 daily departures for Matsuyama. Each trip costs 6,420 yen, and in 2 hours and 45 minutes, you will arrive at Matsuyama. To get to Okayama, simply use an express train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo to Okayama. Both JR Tokaido Shinkansen and Sanyo Shinkansen make this journey which takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes.

You can take advantage of a Japan Rail Pass for convenient travel within Japan. You can choose from a pass valid for 7 days, 14 days, or 21 days, ranging in price from 33,160 to 91,670 yen for adults and 16,800 to 45,830 yen for children. But note that a Japan Rail Pass cannot be used for Nozomi trains, which is the fastest train category in Japan, or Mizuho trains. So if you are looking to use a Japan Rail Pass for your trip, you will have to use either a Hikari or Sakura train to go from Tokyo to Okayama. Both of these trains are covered by the pass but will add another 45 to 60 minutes to your trip.

FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN EHIME TODAY 

By Ferry

Another option to get to Matsuyama is by use of the extensive network of ferries that connect many regions of Japan. The ports of Kyushu and Honshu islands offer many options for travelers to get to Matsuyama. You can take an overnight ferry from Osaka, which takes about 8 and a half hours, to Toyo Port in Saijo for about 6,600 yen. Matsuyama is two hours by train from Iyo-Saijo Station, which is a 15-minute taxi ride from Toyo Port. A 2-hour and 45-minute boat trip can take you from Beppu Port in Oita (Kyushu) to Yawatahama Port. Ferry prices for this trip start at 2,310 yen. From Yawatahama Port, a 5-minute taxi ride can get you to Yawatahama Station. The train ride from Yawatahama Station to Matsuyama is about one hour and 50 minutes.

You can opt for a faster way to get to Matsuyama by ferry. One of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to get to Matsuyama is via high-speed boat. This option departs from Hiroshima at the nearby port of Ujina, conveniently connected to Hiroshima via tram service. This service, jointly operated by Setonaikai Kisen and Ishizaki Kisen, makes the trip in about one hour and costs 5,070 yen.

Orange Ferry – Osaka Nanko Port to Toyo Port

The Orange Ferry is a comfortable and convenient way to travel by boat from Osaka Nanko Port to Toyo Port in Saijo. There is one daily trip that departs at 10 pm from Nanko, the nearest port to Osaka, and arrives at the port of Toyo at 6 a.m. Prices range, depending on day and service options, from 6,600 to 17,300 yen for a one-way trip. Getting from Toyo Port to JR Matsuyama Station is easy via an Iyotetsu Nanyo bus that takes 1 hour and 15 mins and costs 1,250 yen.

FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN EHIME TODAY 

By Bus

For a more affordable option, the use of a bus can take you to Matsuyama. There are highway buses that travel overnight from Tokyo to Matsuyama. Willer Express, Nishi Tokyo Bus/Iyotetsu Bus (Orange Liner), and Kotohira Bus offer nightly trips from Tokyo to Matsuyama for about 9,000 to 14,000 yen. Iyotetsu Co., Ltd. operates highway buses to and from Matsuyama that connect travelers with the rest of Japan. These buses provide free WiFi during trips on all limousine buses. Popular bus routes between Matsuyama and Japanese destinations include Tokyo (14 hours), Kobe (4 hours, 40 minutes), Osaka (5 hours, 40 minutes during daytime and 7 hours, 50 minutes at night), Kochi (2 hours, 40 minutes), and Nagoya (9 hours, 45 minutes).

FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN EHIME TODAY 

Getting Around Matsuyama & Ehime Prefecture

Part of what makes Matsuyama such a great spot to visit is its convenient and tourist-friendly modes of transportation. Upon arriving at Matsuyama Airport, visitors can enjoy a number of affordable options for getting around. And once you are in Matsuyama, you can experience one of the many comfortable ways to see top attractions.

Train

There are two main train stations in Matsuyama — JR Matsuyama Station and Matsuyama City Station (also known as Matsuyama-shi Station). JR Matsuyama Station is located west of Matsuyama city center and services long-distance trains. JR Yosan Limited Express runs trains to Uchiko and Ozu, taking 25 minutes and 35 minutes, respectively. Matsuyama City Station is the main station of Iyotetsu Railways and is in the central part of the city. There are direct trains to Takahama (Ehime) that depart every 20 minutes every day. The trip takes about 15 minutes and costs 440 yen for adults and 220 yen for children (ages 6 to 12).

Tram

Getting around Ehime is convenient using the city’s tram system. There are five tram lines that service the city and are operated by Iyotetsu. These lines connect to the most important parts of the city, including JR Matsuyama Station to the west of the city, Matsuyama City Station in city center, and Dogo Onsen Station in the northeast. No matter the distance traveled, the fee for a single-use tram ride is 170 yen. Note that if you plan on doing a lot of travel on any given day, you can take advantage of the unlimited use one-day pass for 700 yen.

Using the tram is similar to using local buses. You board at the rear door and pay when exiting through the front door. Change machines that break bills are located next to the driver for your convenience.

Bus

Iyotetsu Co., Ltd. operates both limousine buses and local buses in Matsuyama. From the airport, you can take a limousine bus that runs to Dogo Onsen via JR Matsuyama Station. This bus takes about 40 minutes and operates from 8:20 am to 9:30 pm at a cost of 840 yen. Alternatively, you can take a limousine bus that runs from Dogo Onsen to Matsuyama Tourist Port via JR Matsuyama Station if you need to go to the port. It takes about 40 minutes as well and costs 940 yen. Buses run from 6:56 am, with the last bus departing for the port at 8:41 pm.

Local buses can be used to get around the city. Notable bus routes include trips from Dogo Onsen to Ishiteji Temple (160 yen, 5 minutes) and from Matsuyama Airport to JR Matsuyama Station (350 yen, 22 minutes).

FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN EHIME TODAY 

Discover hotels & places to stay in Ehime

HOTEL VISTA Matsuyama

Hotel Taihei

Business Hotel Clark