Matsuyama is the largest city on Shikoku Island. The population now stands at 0.51 million. Matsuyama is famous for its sightseeing spot, namely Dogo hot springs, in the downtown area, but please don't forget one more. It's Matsuyama castle rising to the sky.
The castle was constructed on the summit of Mt. Shiroyama (131 meters above sea level) in 1603 by Kato Yoshiakira. The main tower was destroyed by fire after that, but reconstructed by Matsudaira Katsuyoshi in 1854. It was designated as an Important Cultural Property by the government in 1950. I visited this historical spot in the fall of 2013. It was a fine holiday, so that many families were visiting and enjoying it there. To visit this mountain castle, the nearest stop is Okaido on the Matsuyama city tram line of Iyo Railway. I recommend you go by a famous "Botchan-train" there. After getting off the tram, you should transfer to an aerial tramway, Matsuyama Castle Ropeway.
The aerial tramway was opened in 1955. Connecting Shinonomeguchi and Chojanagaru stations, the route length is 327 meters. The height difference between the highest and lowest points of the route is 62 meters. The maximum inclination of the route is 23.1 degrees. Currently, fifth generation gondolas are operated on the route. They were built by Osaka Sharyo in 2013. Each gondola can accommodate up to 47 passengers. The gondola is operated every 10 minutes with an operating speed of 3.6 meters per second. It takes about 3 minutes to go one way.
The castle was constructed on the summit of Mt. Shiroyama (131 meters above sea level) in 1603 by Kato Yoshiakira. The main tower was destroyed by fire after that, but reconstructed by Matsudaira Katsuyoshi in 1854. It was designated as an Important Cultural Property by the government in 1950. I visited this historical spot in the fall of 2013. It was a fine holiday, so that many families were visiting and enjoying it there. To visit this mountain castle, the nearest stop is Okaido on the Matsuyama city tram line of Iyo Railway. I recommend you go by a famous "Botchan-train" there. After getting off the tram, you should transfer to an aerial tramway, Matsuyama Castle Ropeway.
The aerial tramway was opened in 1955. Connecting Shinonomeguchi and Chojanagaru stations, the route length is 327 meters. The height difference between the highest and lowest points of the route is 62 meters. The maximum inclination of the route is 23.1 degrees. Currently, fifth generation gondolas are operated on the route. They were built by Osaka Sharyo in 2013. Each gondola can accommodate up to 47 passengers. The gondola is operated every 10 minutes with an operating speed of 3.6 meters per second. It takes about 3 minutes to go one way.
Official information about Matsuyama Castle Ropeway (in Japanese):
https://www.matsuyamajo.jp/ropeway/
Official promotion movie, Matsuyama Castle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JPQePYrG9g&feature=emb_logo
Official promotion movie, Matsuyama Castle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JPQePYrG9g&feature=emb_logo