萬翠荘

Bansuiso is a French-style Western mansion built in 1922 (Taisho 11) as a villa for Count Sadakoto Hisamatsu, a descendant of the former Matsuyama feudal lords. The architect was Shichiro Kigo, who also worked on the Ehime Prefectural Office building. The count had studied at the French military academy of Saint-Cyr, associated with Charles de Gaulle, and is said to have had a strong attachment to France. Kigo respected this sentiment, conducted overseas research, gathered top-grade materials, and completed a French-inspired building impressive even to European visitors. Bansuiso is also known as Matsuyama’s first reinforced-concrete building. True to its nickname, “”Matsuyama’s guesthouse,”” it once served as a social venue visited by members of the imperial family. Although it is only a 5-minute walk from the Iyotetsu tram “”Okaido”” stop in the city center, it is surrounded by greenery and offers a quiet, elegant atmosphere. Nearby is the “”Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum,”” where visitors can learn about brothers Yoshifuru and Saneyuki Akiyama, who accompanied the count during his studies in France.