A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
Take a day trip to nearby Saijo to see a temple with a difference. Designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando in 2000, this sleek, minimalist Buddhist site reinterprets the classic principles of temple architecture in a contemporary way, incorporating original 250-year-old elements into its design.
Swap big cities for quaint townships at historic Uchiko, a small traditional town around 25 miles outside of Matsuyama. With buildings from the Edo and Meiji periods, Uchiko boasts a wonderful historic ambience, with an old kabuki theater, a wax-making museum, old merchant houses, and a kite museum.
Experience an unforgettable journey across the Seto Inland Sea on this 50-mile highway that links Shikoku to Honshu. Part of the trip traverses Kurushima-Kaikyō Bridge, a three-part suspension bridge totaling more than 13,000 feet in length. There’s a dedicated pedestrian/cycling lane for those wanting to take in the sights at a more leisurely pace.
Prepare for something a little different with a visit to Imabari Towel Museum, where all things towel come to life. There’s a towel manufacturing area where visitors can observe the towel-making process, towel “sculptures” of iconic figures, various towel merchandise, and an onsite café.
Discover 19th-century Europe in the hills of Matsuyama at Bansuisou Villa, a French Gothic-style mansion built in 1922 by local nobility. Today this wonderfully preserved villa serves as an art gallery, showcasing works from prominent Japanese artists.
Delve into some Japanese culture at Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum (“Clouds Above the Hill”), named after a book by historical novel and essay writer Ryōtarō Shiba. The novel – and museum – deals with Matsuyama history during the Meiji period, and includes information about the novel’s key protagonists as they pertain to the birth of the city.
Visit one of the island’s most important temples – Ishite-ji, a Shingon temple that comprises part of the “Shikoku 88” pilgrimage route. The site houses a number of Important Cultural Properties and boasts structures that date to the 13th and 14th centuries.
See one of Matsuyama’s must-visit attractions – Matsuyama Castle. Built on top of Katsuyama (a flat-topped mountain), it is one of only 12 “original” castles, intact since the end of feudal Japan, dating back to 1603, though it was rebuilt in 1868. With 200 sakura trees and views extending to the ocean, it is one of the city’s most picturesque sites.
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Hit the trails and paths of Kyoto’s enthralling mountains and bamboo forests to uncover the mysteries of esoteric Japan, which can be found within the 88 Buddhist temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. From city nights to mountain treks, you’ll experience the cultural charm and natural beauty of the countryside of Japan without compromising on luxury.
Transformed in a recent refurbishment by Japanese super-star architect, Tadao Ando, the seven suites of Setouchi Retreat Aonagi, on Japan’s smallest island Shikoku, are at the cutting-edge of modern interior design. As an example of what has become known as minimal luxury, the white-on-white palette combined with blonde wood, and the simple lines of the stylish fittings and furnishings, ensure Setouchi Retreat Aonagi is at the very pinnacle of this sophisticated philosophy. It induces guests into a contemplative calm that borders on an almost spiritual level of relaxation, as they gaze at an abstract rock pool or just float aimlessly in their own semi-open bath. Food is of equal importance and diners at Minagi, the retreat’s on-site restaurant, are spoilt with the freshest produce from local fishermen and farmers. There are, of course, the trappings of a modern hotel available - Wifi, iPads and flat-screen televisions can be found in all of the suites - but they might just be a distraction from the peace and serenity offered by this singular destination hotel.
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