道後公園（湯築城跡）

Dogo Park (Yuzuki Castle Ruins) is a park located right by the Iyotetsu city tram “”Dogo Koen-mae”” stop. It occupies the former site of Yuzuki Castle, built around 1335 by Kono Michimori of the Kono clan, who led the Iyo naval forces. Ippen Shonin, founder of the Ji sect of Buddhism, was also a member of the Kono clan and is said to have been born at Hogonji Temple, about a 5-minute walk from the park. Yuzuki Castle was abandoned in 1588, and the area was later redeveloped as Dogo Park in 1888. The Yuzuki Castle Museum on the west side of the park exhibits artifacts from excavations and panels explaining the history of the Kono clan. Visitors can also see reconstructed samurai residences and what is said to be Japan’s oldest hot-spring kettle, allegedly inscribed with “”Namu Amida Butsu”” by Ippen. The Shiki Memorial Museum, featuring works by Matsuyama-born haiku poet Masaoka Shiki and modern haiku-related exhibits, is also located within the park. Dogo Park is famous for cherry blossoms, with about 300 Somei-Yoshino trees typically blooming around late March.