乗Japan Train Trips
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How to ride trains in Japan

Shikoku

How to ride the Matsuyama city tram (Iyotetsu) and the Botchan Ressha

伊予鉄道 市内電車・坊っちゃん列車の乗り方

Just get on, then pay a flat ¥250 (¥230 by IC card) as you get off — plus how the weekend Botchan Ressha works.

Iyotetsu's city trams link Matsuyama's JR station, the castle area and Dogo Onsen. Every ride costs the same flat fare, paid when you get off. Since 1 April 2026 the adult fare is ¥250 in cash (child ¥130) and ¥230 with an IC card or the Mican app (child ¥120).

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乗り方の流れ

Step by step

  1. 01Just get on

    No ticket and no IC tap are needed when you board.

  2. 02Press the stop button

    Press the stop button before your stop, and stand up only after the tram has fully stopped.

  3. 03Change money first if needed

    The fare box gives no change. Use its change machine before you pay — it doesn't take ¥10,000 or ¥5,000 notes.

  4. 04Pay as you get off

    Put the fare into the fare box as you get off, or tap your IC card on the reader at the exit. One card pays for one person only.

Cards and day tickets

ICOCA and all the other nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO…) work on Iyotetsu trams, trains and buses. Cards can't be topped up on the tram — use a convenience store. Iyotetsu's own ICい〜カード ended in September 2025.

Day tickets are digital only: the City Tram & Suburban Train 1Day Ticket (adult ¥2,000) is sold in the Jorudan Norikae Annai app, and the City Tram & Limousine Bus 1Day Ticket (adult ¥2,300) in the Jorudan and Mican apps. Show the ticket screen to the crew when you get off. (The Mican app needs a Japanese phone number.)

Botchan Ressha (the steam-style tourist tram)

The Botchan Ressha is a replica of Matsuyama's first steam-era train. It runs on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (not 30 December – 3 January, nor on weekdays in Golden Week and Obon) and seats 36. Fares are ¥1,300 per adult (child ¥650) per ride, paid on board; there are no reservations.

For the departures from Dogo Onsen at 9:19, 10:48, 13:19 and 14:59, collect a numbered ticket at the Dogo ticket counter from 8:30. You can board at Dogo Onsen, Okaido, Matsuyama-shi Station, JR Matsuyama Station Front and Komachi. Day tickets don't cover it.

Good to know

  • The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid on Iyotetsu.
  • The IC/app discount doesn't apply on the Botchan Ressha.

Sources

Rules differ between railways and change from time to time — last checked 3 Nov 2026. Follow signs and staff on the day.