Written by Alexander Kopp, Sandra Frank, Sophie King
21/08/2025
Cheng, Pexels
Matsuyama is well-connected through its major transport hubs, including Matsuyama Airport, JR Matsuyama Station, Matsuyama-shi Station, and Matsuyama Port. JR Matsuyama Station serves as the primary train access point, while Matsuyama-shi Station is the central hub for local Iyotetsu railway, buses, and trams, often closer to city attractions.
By Air:
Flights from Tokyo (Haneda) take approximately 90 minutes. Discount tickets typically range from 15,000 to 25,000 yen.
Flights from Tokyo (Narita) typically cost around 6,000 yen.
Flights from Osaka take about 50 minutes.
From Matsuyama Airport to the city center, limousine buses serve JR Matsuyama Station (15 minutes, 980-1000 yen), Matsuyama-shi Station (20 minutes, 980-1000 yen), and Dogo Onsen (35 minutes, 1180-1200 yen).
A private transfer from Matsuyama Airport to the city center takes approximately 20 minutes and costs around $116.28 for up to three passengers.
By Train:
From Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama (3.5 hours), then transfer to a JR Shiokaze limited express train to Matsuyama (2.5 hours), for a total journey of about 6.5 hours and a cost of approximately 22,000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass covers this route if using Hikari or Sakura trains, though a supplement is needed for faster Nozomi or Mizuho trains.
From Okayama, the JR Shiokaze limited express train to Matsuyama takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes and costs about 7,030 yen.
From Hiroshima, travel involves a detour via Okayama. Take the JR Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama (40 minutes), then transfer to a JR Shiokaze limited express train for Matsuyama (2.5 hours), totaling 3.5 to 4 hours and costing about 12,000 yen. This is covered by the Japan Rail Pass with Sakura trains.
By Bus:
Overnight highway buses are available from Tokyo, taking 10-12 hours with fares typically around 8,000 to 13,000 yen.
Buses also connect Matsuyama to cities like Osaka (5-5.5 hours), Kobe (4 hours), and Nagoya (8 hours).
By Ferry:
From Matsuyama Port to Hiroshima Port, a high-speed boat (Super Jet) takes about 1 hour 10 minutes to 70 minutes and costs 7,800 to 8,800 yen. A car ferry takes 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes and costs 4,500 to 5,800 yen per person, or 12,000 to 13,000 yen for a car including the driver.
Ferries also operate from Matsuyama Tourist Port to Kure (55 minutes by high-speed boat, 1 hour 55 minutes by car ferry) and Mitsuhama Port to Yanai (2 hours 30 minutes).
From Matsuyama Port, a limousine bus can take you to JR Matsuyama Station or Dogo Onsen.
At TFA Travel we believe in travel for all. Our mission is to enable people to explore the world as easily as possible without having to pay a travel agent a huge commission.
Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
