[Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture] Ride the Botchan Train

What is the "Botchan Train"?

When walking through the city of Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture, you can see streetcars going by.

(Orange tram running in Matsuyama city)

As you watch the trams go by, you'll occasionally see retro steam locomotive-type trains passing by, mixed in with the orange trains and the latest low-floor trains.

This is the "Botchan Train."

(Botchan train and Dogo Onsen Station at night)

The "Botchan Train" is a modern-day restoration of the steam locomotive that operated in Matsuyama City for 67 years from 1888 to 1954.

The name comes from its appearance in Natsume Soseki's novel "Botchyan," in which it is described as "a train like a matchbox."

At the time, it was a coal-fired train that emitted plumes of black smoke and served as a means of transportation for the citizens of Matsuyama. Today, it is powered by a diesel engine. The "smoke" that appears to be coming out of the chimney is actually steam, and another characteristic of the restored new "Botchan Train" is its environmental friendliness.

The real No. 1 locomotive, which actually ran through Matsuyama during the Meiji period, is on display at Baishinji Park in Matsuyama city. It is the oldest surviving light locomotive in Japan, and is designated as a Japanese National Railways designated monument and a prefectural designated folk material.

https://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/kankou/baishinji/

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In addition, in front of Matsuyama City Station, there is the "Botchan Train Museum," which displays a full-scale replica of the No. 1 locomotive. Here, you can also see rare vehicle parts and documents up close, making it a great place for railway fans.

https://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/museum/

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The current Botchan Train operates on two routes: "Dogo Onsen⇔Matsuyamashi Station" and "Dogo Onsen⇔JR Matsuyama Station⇔Furumachi", and runs on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

It has a truly retro atmosphere, and just riding it makes you feel like you've traveled back in time to the Meiji era.

With a ticket for the Botchan Train, you can also ride the regular gondolas of the "Kururin" Ferris Wheel, located on the rooftop of "Iyotetsu Takashimaya" in front of Matsuyama City Station, at a discounted rate. You can get a panoramic view of the Matsuyama Plain from the Kururin, so we recommend riding both the Botchan Train and the Kururin to enjoy the scenery of Matsuyama.

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(The giant Ferris wheel "Kururin")

For more information about the Botchan Train, please check the Iyotetsu website.

https://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/

After enjoying a ride on the Botchan Train and visiting the spots associated with it, why not also enjoy some sake named after the Botchan Train?

"Dogo Brewery Sake: Botchan Train Restoration Commemoration Raw Stored Sake"

This sake is made by Mizuguchi Sake Brewery, located near Dogo Onsen, the starting and ending station of the Botchan Train.

A commemorative label for the "Botchan Train," which has returned to the town of Dogo for the first time in about half a century since the Showa era.

This unpasteurized sake retains the deliciousness of freshly pressed sake, with the flavor and aroma of the sake straight out of the brewery. Its delicate aroma and mellow texture are best enjoyed chilled or on the rocks.

It's a stylish way to enjoy the ride while sipping your drink and thinking back to the Meiji and Showa periods when the Botchan Train ran.

Stores that sell "Dogo Kurazake"

[Dogo Beer Museum] (*Food and drink available inside)

Address: 20-13 Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, 790-0842

Business hours: 11:00-22:00, Closed days: Open all year round

[Dogo Beer House Annex] (※Drinks and food available inside the restaurant)

Address: 14-16 Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, 790-0842

Business hours: [Weekdays] 15:00-LAST [Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays] 12:00-LAST, Closed days: Irregular

[ Nikitatsu Kurabe ] (※Eating and drinking not allowed inside the store. Purchases only)

Address: 3-23 Dogo Kitamachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, 790-0848

Business hours: 10:00-18:00, Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, the following Tuesday will be closed) and the first Tuesday of the month

*This article is current as of July 2024.