English Haiku Experience at Matsuyama Castle: Compose Poetry

You write haiku in English at a castle where Japan's haiku tradition was born.

An English-language haiku class at Matsuyama Castle combines a lecture on haiku's modern history, a guided walk through the castle and keep, and a workshop where you compose poems and receive instructor feedback. The program runs roughly four hours, led by an English-speaking guide, and includes round-trip ropeway and castle admission. Participants must be at least 13 and able to read and write in English.

The experience

Matsuyama is the birthplace of modern haiku (the poet Masaoka Shiki redefined the form here and gave it its name), and the city remains the spiritual center of haiku culture in Japan. This class starts with a lecture on English haiku and Matsuyama's role in shaping it, held at the Matsuyama Castle Ropeway Station. You then take the ropeway and lift up to Matsuyama Castle Keep, one of Japan's twelve original surviving castle keeps, where you walk the grounds composing English-language haiku inspired by the seasonal landscape and historic setting. The instructor guides the walk, offering observations that feed into your poems.

Back at the ropeway station, you move into the workshop phase. Here you share the haiku you've written, receive commentary from the instructor, and engage with the poems others have composed. The experience is designed to engage all five senses and to ground English-language haiku in a place where the form itself took root. Opportunities to write haiku in English in this setting are rare worldwide.

What’s included

• English/Japanese-speaking guide.
• lecture on English haiku and Matsuyama's haiku heritage.
• haiku walk at Matsuyama Castle Keep.
• haiku workshop with composition, sharing, and instructor commentary.
• round-trip Matsuyama Castle Ropeway and Lift fare.
• Matsuyama Castle Keep admission.

Before you book

Days and timesMondayDeparts at 12:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 to 80 years) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by ＪＴＢ松山支店

Is this one for you?The program involves a moderate amount of walking at the castle and runs for roughly four hours, so you'll need a reasonable level of fitness and stamina. The schedule is fixed. You meet at 12:50 and finish around 5:15 p.m., which means you can plan the rest of your afternoon around it.

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Masaoka Shiki's connection to Matsuyama and haiku?

Masaoka Shiki was born in Matsuyama and redefined haiku as a form of modern literature, laying the foundations of contemporary haiku and giving it the name "haiku." The city remains the spiritual home of haiku culture.

Do I need to have written haiku before to join this class?

No prior experience is required. The instructor guides you through composition during the walk and workshop, and all participants share and receive feedback on their poems regardless of background.

What happens during the haiku walk at the castle?

You walk the grounds of Matsuyama Castle Keep, one of Japan's twelve original surviving castles, composing English-language haiku inspired by the seasonal landscapes and historic setting while the instructor offers guidance.

Is the castle ropeway included, or do I pay separately?

Round-trip ropeway and lift fare to Matsuyama Castle Keep, plus admission to the keep itself, are included in the program.