Flights to Matsuyama (MYJ)

Matsuyama is the largest city on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands, and the capital of Ehime Prefecture. It is a relaxed, walkable place with a hilltop castle at its centre, one of Japan's oldest hot-spring towns on its edge and the calm Seto Inland Sea just to the west. Travellers who book flights to Matsuyama come for onsen, citrus orchards, pilgrim temples and a slower pace than Tokyo or Osaka, and they arrive at Matsuyama Airport (MYJ), the busiest airport on Shikoku.

About Matsuyama Airport

Location

Matsuyama Airport sits on the coast west of the city centre, close to the shores of the Seto Inland Sea. The short distance into town is one of its biggest advantages, and on a clear day the approach offers views of the islands scattered across the water.

Terminals

The airport has a single passenger terminal building with separate domestic and international areas. It is compact and easy to navigate, with shops selling Ehime specialities such as citrus juice and sweets. Famously, the terminal has offered mikan orange juice from a tap, a fun welcome for first-time visitors.

Getting to and from Matsuyama Airport

An airport limousine bus runs into the city, stopping at JR Matsuyama Station, the central Okaido and Ichibancho area and Dogo Onsen. Taxis wait outside arrivals and are good value for groups. Once in town, Matsuyama's charming tram network links the station, the castle area and Dogo Onsen, making it easy to get around without a car.

Direct and connecting flights to Matsuyama

There is no non-stop route between Singapore and Matsuyama, so travellers usually connect through a major Japanese hub such as Tokyo or Osaka, or through another Asian gateway with international services to Shikoku. On Traveloka, the stops filter lets you compare one-stop itineraries, while the direct-flight filter is handy for the final leg from a Japanese city. Check whether you clear immigration at your first Japanese airport, and review the entry requirements for your passport before you fly.

Some travellers fly into Osaka, Okayama or Hiroshima and continue to Matsuyama by train, highway bus or ferry across the Inland Sea. That can work well as part of a wider Japan trip, but flying straight into Matsuyama Airport is usually the simplest way to reach Ehime.

When to fly to Matsuyama

Matsuyama has a mild Inland Sea climate with relatively little snow. Cherry blossoms around the castle usually bloom in late March to early April, and autumn brings crisp air and colourful leaves from around November. The rainy season arrives in June and early July, followed by a hot, humid summer. Winter is cool and dry, a comfortable time for a long soak at Dogo Onsen and the citrus harvest.

Japanese holiday periods such as Golden Week in early May, Obon in mid-August and the New Year break raise domestic demand for flights and rooms. For travellers from Singapore, the June and December school holidays and Chinese New Year are the busiest periods to book. The monthly and weekday charts on this page show which patterns tend to bring better fares, and Price Alert can notify you when prices change.

Popular places in Matsuyama

Matsuyama Castle

One of the twelve original castles in Japan with a keep that survives from the feudal era, Matsuyama Castle crowns Katsuyama hill in the centre of the city. A ropeway and chairlift take you most of the way up, and the view over the city and sea is superb.

Dogo Onsen

Said to be one of Japan's oldest hot springs, Dogo Onsen centres on its wooden bathhouse, the Honkan, which is thought to have inspired the bathhouse in a famous animated film. The surrounding shopping arcade is full of sweets and souvenirs.

Ishiteji Temple

Temple number 51 on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, Ishiteji is a short walk from Dogo and features a pagoda, caves and statues. You may see pilgrims dressed in white making their way around the island.

Shimanami Kaido

This cycling route crosses a chain of islands and bridges between Imabari in Ehime and Onomichi in Hiroshima. Bicycles can be rented at either end, and even a partial ride offers wonderful sea views.

Uchiko

A preserved merchant town south-west of Matsuyama, Uchiko has a traditional kabuki theatre and streets of white-plastered wooden houses from its days as a wax-making centre.

Where to stay in Matsuyama

The Okaido and Ichibancho area is the city's lively heart, with covered shopping arcades, restaurants and easy tram access to the castle. Dogo Onsen is the choice for a traditional stay, with ryokan-style inns and evening strolls to the bathhouse in a cotton yukata. The area around JR Matsuyama Station suits travellers heading on by train to other parts of Shikoku.

Food to try in Matsuyama

Tai-meshi

Sea bream rice is Ehime's signature dish. Some versions cook the whole fish with the rice, while the Uwajima style tops warm rice with raw sea bream mixed with a sweet soy and egg sauce.

Jakoten

A fried fish cake made from small fish ground whole, bones and all. It is chewy and savoury, and is often served simply grilled or with a drink.

Nabeyaki udon

Matsuyama's take on this noodle dish is served in an aluminium pot with a slightly sweet broth, soft noodles and toppings such as fish cake and egg. It is comfort food for locals.

Botchan dango

These three-coloured sweet dumplings on a stick take their name from a classic Japanese novel set in Matsuyama. They are a favourite snack in the Dogo arcade.

Matsuyama is a gentle, rewarding introduction to Shikoku. Compare flights to Matsuyama on Traveloka, choose the connection that fits your trip and manage your e-ticket in the app, with Easy Reschedule and 24/7 customer service if your plans change.