Photo: Jyo81 (ja: User) / CC BY 3.0Checked · Researched, not yet visited · times from official timetables and our estimates · Takumi Yamada
The Botchan Ressha is Iyotetsu’s replica of the small steam trains that ran in Matsuyama in the Meiji era and appear in Natsume Soseki’s novel Botchan. It runs on the tram tracks between Dogo Onsen and the city.
It fits a port day as one leg of the tram ride you are making anyway: Matsuyama-shi Station to Dogo Onsen at 10:04, or back from Dogo at 13:19 or 14:59.
Two things the plaques won't tell you
- For the departures from Dogo Onsen, numbered tickets are handed out at the Dogo ticket counter from 08:30.
- Check Iyotetsu’s service page on the day: runs can be suspended.
It fits a port day as one leg of the tram ride you are making anyway: Matsuyama-shi Station to Dogo Onsen at 10:04, or back from Dogo at 13:19 or 14:59.
More in Matsuyama
Spot guideDogo Onsen from the cruise berth
The 1894 bathhouse, fully open again, at the end of the tram line
Open the guide
Spot guideMatsuyama Castle from the cruise berth
A hilltop keep reached by ropeway or chairlift
Open the guide
Spot guideIshite-ji, Temple 51
A pilgrimage temple with a National Treasure gate, beyond Dogo Onsen
Open the guideQuestions people ask here
Does the Botchan train run every day?
No. It runs on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays only, and not from 30 December to 3 January.
Can I reserve a seat on the Botchan train?
No. Each train has 36 seats; you pay the crew ¥1,300 on board. For the Dogo Onsen departures, numbered tickets are handed out from 08:30 at the Dogo ticket counter.