Dogo Park (Yuzuki Castle Ruins)
A park developed on the ruins of medieval Yuzuki Castle. It was the seat of the Kono clan, military governors of Iyo Province, and is designated a National Historic Site. It features reconstructed samurai residences and earthworks, a museum, and an observation deck.
Dogo Park is an urban park located in Dogo, Matsuyama City, developed on the site of Yuzuki Castle, a medieval flatland mountain castle (hirayama-jiro). The castle ruins are designated as a National Historic Site. It is within walking distance of Dogo Onsen Honkan, and the park is also known as a famous spot for cherry blossoms.
Yuzuki Castle Ruins
Yuzuki Castle was the residence of the Kono clan, who served as the Shugo (military governors) of Iyo Province. It is said to have been built in the first half of the 14th century, serving as the Kono clan's base for approximately 250 years thereafter. In 1585, during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasion of Shikoku, the castle surrendered after being surrounded by Kobayakawa Takakage's forces, bringing an end to the era of the Kono clan.
Park Highlights
Based on the results of archaeological excavations, samurai residences, gardens, and cross-sections of earthen ramparts (dorui) have been reconstructed and displayed.
- Yuzuki Castle Museum: Introducing excavated artifacts and the history of the castle
- Samurai Residence (Reconstruction): Recreating the lifestyle of samurai at that time
- Earthen Rampart Exhibition Room: Revealing the internal structure of the earthen rampart
- Observatory: Overlooking Matsuyama City and Dogo from the top of the hill
Access and User Information
- About a 5-minute walk from Dogo Onsen Station
- Address: Dogo Park, Matsuyama City
- Free admission (The museum and samurai residences are also free)
Source: "Yuzuki Castle" Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), Ehime Prefecture and Matsuyama City Official Information. Please check official sources for opening hours and closed days.
Last confirmed date: July 2026
More spots in Dogo Park & Isaniwa Shrine Area
See all in this area →CHAHARU BAR.
CHAHARU BAR. was located on the 1st floor of Hotel CHAHARU. It was a British-style bar where you could enjoy cocktails that utilized local ingredients, such as Dogo Sling, and wines from various countries in a quiet space.
QUATRE CINQ
A modern French restaurant on the second floor of the Dogo inn CHAHARU Hanare Dogo Yumekura. It serves dishes made with local ingredients.
Dogo Onsen Hanayuzuki
A high-rise hot spring hotel about a 1-minute walk from Dogo Onsen Honkan. It has a rooftop open-air bath with views and serves local cuisine.
Mustakivi gallery&
A gallery and shop by textile and ceramics artist Ishimoto Too. It handles original works such as Tobe ware and tenugui.
Masaoka Shiki Haiku Monument
Located within Dogo Park, near the Masaoka Shiki Memorial Museum. This haiku monument commemorates Masaoka Shiki (1867–1902), a poet from Matsuyama. Shiki led a movement to innovate haiku in the newspaper 'Nippon'.
Matsuyama Kanko Rinji Parking
A temporary parking area with approximately 60 free spaces, open only on designated days during busy periods.
Dogo Onsen Chaharu
A high-rise hot spring hotel near Dogo Onsen Honkan. It offers views from the rooftop, the baths Tsuki-no-Yu and Hoshi-no-Yu, and Japanese and Western kaiseki menus and buffets.
Naito Meisetsu Haiku Monument
This haiku monument is in Dogo Park. It is inscribed with the verse "Mottozu ya itsuika no tenzi futai no yama". In 1918, former dormitory residents erected it as a longevity monument to celebrate the long life of the poet Naito Meisetsu (1847–1926).
More "Parks & Gardens" spots
See all in this category →
Botchan Karakuri Clock
A mechanical clock in Hojoen plaza in front of Dogo Onsen Station. Installed in 1994 to mark the 100th anniversary of the main building of Dogo Onsen, characters from the novel Botchan appear on the hour. A free foot bath sits beside it.
Joshin-ji Temple
A Tendai Buddhist temple in Iwaidani-higashi-machi, Matsuyama. One of the four temples associated with the Hisamatsu-Matsudaira family, it was relocated to its present site in 1635 (Kan'ei 12) by Matsudaira Sadayuki. The grounds contain the mausoleum of Matsudaira Sadayuki, a designated Ehime Prefecture historic site.
Shin-Ishite Park
A popular family park along the Ishite River. It has colorful combined playground equipment and a sandpit, and the restrooms are equipped with diaper-changing sheets.
Iwaidani Park
A neighborhood park with fine views set within a residential area. The cherry blossoms are beautiful in spring, and it has a combined play structure with a swing, seesaw, and slide.
Iwaidani 1-chome Park
A small park ideal for a baby's or toddler's first park outing. It has a sandpit edged with urethane and spring-mounted playground rides shaped like a chick and a rabbit.
Hojoen
The plaza in front of Dogo Onsen Station. With the Botchan Karakuri Clock and a free foot bath that is easy to drop by, it is the starting point of a Dogo stroll.
Ishitegawa Green Space (Iwazeki Bridge Area)
An area defined by Iwazeki-bashi, a red suspension bridge completed in the Taisho era. You can enjoy strolling and photography with the murmur of the river as background.
Iwaidani Kita Park
A park for local residents in a quiet residential area. It has a combined play structure notable for its circular monkey bars, offering a calm, spacious place for children to play.