[2025 Matsuyama Attraction] Travel Guide for Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum (Updated Apr)

I was definitely going to visit the Clouds Above the Hill Museum, designed by Ando Tadao, when I went to Ehime. It is triangular in shape, with four floors above ground and one floor below ground, made of steel-reinforced concrete, and the second to fourth floors are connected by an aerial staircase that does not include the intermediate pillars, which was very exciting. 🥺 Of course, the exhibits were interesting, so I recommend it. I've been going to a lot of places around the Meiji era lately. 📍#CloudsAboveTheSlopeMuseum 20-3 Ichibancho, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, 790-0001 #tripmemory2022 #wintertrip

The Clouds Above the Hill Museum in Matsuyama, Ehime A building made up of two overlapping triangles Triangles can be found throughout the museum Architecture by Tadao Ando When you enter the entrance hall There is a three-story atrium space The light from the outside coming in from the sides and above was very beautiful #breathtaking view #architecture #museum

Hey everyone👋! Are you tired of the same old Tokyo and Kyoto trips to Japan? Today, I'm unveiling a hidden gem that's both unique and stunning—Matsuyama👏! Nestled in Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, it boasts a thousand years of history, breathtaking scenery, and best of all, fewer crowds and friendlier prices. It's a true travel treasure💖! 🚗Travel tips: While Matsuyama has an airport, flights are limited. Consider flying into Takamatsu and taking a bus or JR train to Matsuyama, which is about a 3-hour journey. Enjoy the scenic views along the way. Once in the city, hop on the adorable orange tram—it's the perfect way to get around and explore all the must-see spots🚌. 🌟Must-see attractions: 👉Matsuyama Castle: One of only twelve remaining original castle keeps in Japan. Take the cable car up for a wow-worthy😍 panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea and Matsuyama City. The castle keep houses a rich collection of historical artifacts, immersing you in the atmosphere of the past. 👉Dogo Onsen: One of Japan's three oldest hot springs and the inspiration for the bathhouse in *Spirited Away*. After a relaxing soak, experience the royal treatment in the exclusive bathhouse. Don't miss the free footbath nearby—it's the perfect way to soothe tired feet😌. 👉Isaniwa Shrine: A thousand-year-old shrine and one of Japan's three great Hachiman-zukuri shrines. Ascend the ancient stone steps for a stunning panoramic view—a picture-perfect moment📷. 👉Enman-ji Temple: Calling all singles👀! This is a renowned spot for finding love. Though small, the temple is filled with spiritual energy. 👉Bansui So Villa: A must-visit for art lovers! Designed by Tadao Ando and themed after Ryotaro Shiba's novel *Clouds Above the Hill*, this museum offers a truly enriching experience. 🍱Matsuyama's culinary delights: 👉Tai Meshi (Sea Bream Rice): Ehime's signature dish featuring incredibly tender sea bream. Try it at "Matsuyama Taimeshi Akiyoshi" or "Ganso Uwajima Taimeshi Marumizu"—you can't go wrong! Every bite is a gift from the sea. 👉Botchan Dango: These small rice cakes with red bean, egg, and matcha are sweet but not overpowering. A perfect after-dinner treat for a burst of happiness👍. 👉Citrus Products: Matsuyama is abundant in citrus fruits. Refresh with citrus juice, indulge in citrus ice cream, and get your vitamin C fix. 🛏Accommodation gems: 👉Dogo Onsen Hotel - Dogo Funaya: Immerse yourself in Japanese hospitality with on-site hot springs. Relax and unwind after a soak, with convenient access to shopping and transportation. 👉Koyuen Ryokan: Experience pure luxury with stunning views from the rooftop onsen. Enjoy the ultimate relaxation while taking in the scenery—simply amazing~ Matsuyama is a truly wonderful place to explore. Save this guide and embark on your dream trip💖!

Matsuyama, Japan, refers to Matsuyama City in Ehime Prefecture. Located in the northeastern part of Shikoku Island, facing the Seto Inland Sea, it is the prefectural capital of Ehime and the most populous city in the Shikoku region. Matsuyama has many attractions worth visiting. Here are some of the main ones: History and Culture - Matsuyama Castle: One of Japan's most beautiful original castles and one of Japan's three major interconnected flatland-mountain castles. It was built between 1602 and 1628. You can take a cable car or lift to the top, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea and Matsuyama City. Inside the castle, there are exhibits about the history of Matsuyama and the feudal period.  - Dogo Onsen: One of Japan's three oldest hot springs, with a thousand-year history. It is the model for the bathhouse in the Studio Ghibli film *Spirited Away*. There is also a royal bathhouse here, and a free footbath next to it.  - Isaniwa Shrine: A 5-minute walk from Dogo Onsen Honkan, this is one of Japan's three major Hachiman-zukuri style shrines, with a thousand-year history. The long staircase, paired with the sunset, creates a beautiful scene, so it is recommended to visit in the evening. - Enman-ji Temple: A famous temple for finding love in Japan, with many cute little monk statues. Although small, the temple has a spiritual atmosphere. Natural Scenery - Shimonada Station: A beautiful, unmanned station by the sea. You can take the same train line featured in *Spirited Away* to get here. Enjoy the beautiful sea view and send postcards.  - Mezutsu Station: Famous for being the location where Rika and Kanji broke up in the final scene of *Tokyo Love Story*. Even today, many people come here and tie white handkerchiefs like Rika did.  Culture, Art, and Others - Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum: Designed by Tadao Ando, this museum uses geometric shapes and fair-faced concrete. Its theme is based on Ryotaro Shiba's novel of the same name.  - Bansuiso Villa: A European-style building next to the Aishotei, where Natsume Soseki once lived. It is now a café.  - Takashimaya Ferris Wheel: Located near Matsuyama Station, you can ride the Ferris wheel to enjoy the city view of Matsuyama, especially the romantic night view.

Located in the heart of Matsuyama City, Matsuyama Castle is built on Mount Katsuyama, which stands at an elevation of 132 meters. The main keep is situated at the summit, while the second and third enclosures, now a historical garden and Horinouchi Park respectively, spread out at the base. Kato Yoshiaki, who played a significant role in the Battle of Sekigahara, became the first lord of the castle and spent over a quarter of a century constructing it from 1602. As one of the twelve surviving castles, it houses 21 important cultural properties. There are four routes to the castle, as well as a ropeway and lift, and various limited-time and day-specific events are held, ensuring that visitors can enjoy multiple visits. There are four walking routes to the main keep of Matsuyama Castle, each featuring steep slopes that can be quite challenging even for the energetic. For those who want to experience the feeling of a castle siege, walking is recommended. However, for tourists, the ropeway or lift routes are more popular. The ropeway takes about 3 minutes, while the lift takes about 6 minutes to reach Choja-ga-hira, located at the eighth station. From there, it is about a 10-minute walk to the main keep. If you choose to walk the entire route, it takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

This museum is about the novel Saka no Ue no Kumo, inspired by true to life stories turned into an NHK drama. So it might be a boring attraction for those who are unfamiliar with it, especially with foreigners. There are exhibits though that show a bit of Matsuyama's history and they can be somehow interesting. English audio translations are available at the front desk at 150 yen. The story behind the museum lends itself to understanding a little in forming of modern Japan and specifically around 3 individuals enlighten approaches at that time. #2024wish