Advanced - Challenging -
Chestnut Tart Experience and Matsuyama Plain & Shigenobu River Ride
Discovering the Deliciousness of Shikoku's Famous Sweet, Hatada Kuri Taruto
Chestnut Tart Experience and Matsuyama Plain & Shigenobu River Ride
Discovering the Deliciousness of Shikoku's Famous Sweet, Hatada Kuri Taruto
"Taruto" is a Japanese-style roll cake made by wrapping yuzu-flavored smooth red bean paste in a castella sponge cake. When you think of sweets from Ehime, this classic treat is the first to come to mind. Two of the most well-known are the rich "Hatada Kuri Taruto", which contains chestnuts, and the simple "Ichiroku Taruto". This time, we head to "Hatada Dekitate Okashikan", the only place in the Shikoku area where you can experience hand-rolling your own taruto. At the "Hatada Kuri Taruto Dojo" inside the facility, we will explore the secret behind the rich deliciousness of this famous Japanese confection. The flat route running along the river in the Matsuyama Plain is perfect as a casual holiday activity. It is a gourmet cycling trip that even cycling beginners can fully enjoy.
The information provided here is current as of December 2025.
- distance40.2km
-
level
#Beginners
Unique local foods featured on this course
Spots
-
Start Point
Sugiyama Cycle
Start your cycling trip by renting an E-bike at “Sugiyama Cycle”, a sports bike shop located in the “ANA Crowne Plaza Matsuyama” along Okaido in the center of Matsuyama City. The rental model is the “Panasonic EZ”, and the fee is 2,200 yen for 5 hours and 4,400 yen for a day trip. It has a small tire diameter, making it easy to get on and off, and the thick tires provide peace of mind even for cycling beginners. Business hours are 11:00-20:00 (until 19:00 on weekends and holidays), and it is closed on Wednesdays. Let’s pedal out from the convenient downtown area for a gourmet cycling adventure!
[Business Hours] 11:00-20:00 (until 19:00 on weekends and holidays)
[Closed] WednesdaysAddress: Shopping Mall AVA 1F, 2-1, 3-chome, Ichibancho, Matsuyama, EhimeView on Google Map
-
5.0km Point
Matsuyama Central Park
Heading south for about 1km from the downtown area where trams come and go, you will reach the lush green “Ishite River”. A green space spreads out along the riverbed, making it perfect for cycling. However, please be careful when riding as many people also enjoy walking along the riverbed. Proceeding southwest along the flat river for about 4km, you will reach the confluence with the “Shigenobu River”, which has a cycling road. The surrounding area is developed as “Matsuyama Central Park”, and the “Ehime Prefectural Budokan” with its impressive wooden architecture serves as a landmark.
Address: Around Ichitsubonishimachi, Matsuyama, EhimeView on Google Map
-
8.0km Point
Spanish Stone Oven Bakery Pain Maison Masaki Store
Shortly after you start riding along the Shigenobu River, let’s take a detour at the bakery “Pain Maison”. Actually, the “Shio Pan” (Salt Bread) originating from this shop has become a nationwide boom, and it is known as the shop of the “Original Shio Pan”. At 95 yen each, the Shio Pan offers a crispy texture on the outside and bottom, and a chewy texture inside, making it a highly popular item that sells more than 3,000 pieces a day. Operating from 6:30 to 18:00, fans visit from all over the country seeking the reputed bread baked one after another in the store.
[Business Hours] 6:30-18:00
[Closed] TuesdaysAddress: 406-1 Nakagawara, Masaki-cho, Iyo-gun, EhimeView on Google Map
-
8.5km Point
Hyokotan Pond Park
“Hyokotan Pond Park”, located just south of Pain Maison, is a water park suitable for a lunch picnic. This is a beloved local “relaxation space” developed around a pond formed by the underflow water of the Shigenobu River. Many water birds such as aigamo ducks gather in the pond, and aquatic plants are also actively introduced, allowing you to take a break while enjoying the scenery of the four seasons.
Address: Around Nakagawara area, Masaki-cho, Iyo-gun, EhimeView on Google Map
-
20.0km Point
Hatada Dekitate Okashikan
When speaking of “tart with chestnuts”, it is Hatada’s “Onkuri Taruto”. This store has an attached factory where you can observe the manufacturing line of their signature products, “Onkuri Taruto” and “Hatada Kuri Taruto”, being hand-rolled one by one at any time. In addition, there is a wide selection of freshly made Japanese and Western sweets and baked goods, such as dorayaki, baumkuchen, and roll cakes. With a rich lineup of local specialties, it is perfect for souvenir hunting. Inside the store, you can also try the “Kuri Taruto Hand-Rolling Experience” (reservation required). Business hours are 9:00-19:00, open year-round.
[Business Hours] 9:00-19:00Address: 1008-1 Ushibuchi, Toon, EhimeView on Google Map
-
20.0km Point
fork_spoon Hatada Kuri Taruto Dojo – Chestnut Tart Hand-Rolling Experience
Feel like a pastry chef!? Challenge yourself to the chestnut tart hand-rolling experience at the Hatada Kuri Taruto Dojo inside the “Hatada Dekitate Okashikan”. The experience takes about 20 minutes, and participants can finish a chestnut tart themselves. You spread special chestnut-filled red bean paste on the moistly baked castella sponge cake and roll it up one by one while being taught the tricks of hand-rolling. The completed tart can also be tasted at the cafe. The experience fee is 1,200 yen per person (includes a factory tour). Reservations are prioritized, but same-day participation is OK on days the factory is operating.
[Business Hours] 9:00-19:00Address: Inside Hatada Dekitate Okashikan, 1008-1 Ushibuchi, Toon, EhimeView on Google Map
-
39.0km Point
Shiroyama Park
From the “Hatada Dekitate Okashikan” to the goal point, follow the road back along the Shigenobu River. To conclude, head to “Shiroyama Park”, where Matsuyama Castle towers above. Located in the center of Matsuyama City, the main keep (Honmaru) is situated at the top of Mt. Shiroyama (Mt. Katsuyama) at an altitude of 132m. Including the Ninomaru (Ninomaru Historical Garden) and Sannomaru (Horinouchi) at the foot of the mountain, it is the largest castle structure in Shikoku. The beautiful urban park, which is also selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, offers scenery worthy of concluding your cycling trip.
Address: Around Horinouchi, Matsuyama, EhimeView on Google Map
Access
start
Sugiyama Cycle
-
By Car
About 25 minutes from Matsuyama IC on the Matsuyama Expressway via National Route 33. The hotel parking lot on the 2nd basement floor of the ANA Crowne Plaza Matsuyama, where the store is located, accommodates 77 cars (up to 2.3m in height).
By Public Transportation
The nearest station is “JR Matsuyama Station” on the JR Yosan Line. About 12 minutes by city tram (get off at Okaido tram stop) or about 18 minutes by bus (get off at Okaido bus stop).
By Ferry
From Matsuyama Tourist Port—which connects Matsuyama, Kure, and Hiroshima with 20 regular ferry flights and 16 jet ferry flights daily—it takes about 40 minutes by limousine bus (get off at Okaido bus stop).
Goal
Sugiyama Cycle
See other courses by area
-
A Ride to Experience Spiritual Sites and Local GourmetDon't miss Saijo's specialty, "Teppan Napolitan"41.2km -
Cycle Train & Island Cycling from Matsuyama CityEnjoy Matsuyama to the fullest using various forms of mobility22km -
Yumeshima Kaido: Boat-Fishing and Farm Experience Cycling[19.3km] An Extraordinary Experience on Sea and Land19.3km
We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. If you continue to browse, you accept the use of cookies on our site. See our cookies policy for more information.