Time to move North. On the way to Matsuyama we visited the old town Uchico. The Kosho-ji temple boasts a very large lying Buddha. All the wooden buildings in the main street are from the Edo period, many of them are restaurants, tea houses or are home to craftsman. We decided this was a perfect place to have a drink in a bakeshop. After we ordered we had to remove our shoes and sit at the typical low Japanese table on a tatami floor and were offered Japanese tea.
Matsuyama is a large town and has traffic to match. Saturday and sunny weather made a perfect combination for lots of people to gather at Matsuyama Castle. As the castle is on top of a hill we took a ropeway up and after our visit we descended on the chairlift.
Near Dogo Park are several sights to visit. We started with the Botchan Karakuri Clock. On the hour and half hour this clock plays music, extends in height and several figures appear when the different doors open.
A short distance away is Enman-ji, a small shrine and a bit further, after climbing 135 stairs the larger Isaniwa shrine.