Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Japan Matsuyama-shi Kururin Ferris Wheel

Kururin Ferris Wheel

A giant rooftop ride with unbeatable views of Matsuyama city, the nearby mountain ranges, and the Inland Sea.

Matsuyama-shi, Japan

Added By
Andrew Elsass
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  andrewelsass / Atlas Obscura User
  andrewelsass / Atlas Obscura User
  andrewelsass / Atlas Obscura User
  andrewelsass / Atlas Obscura User
  andrewelsass / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Your typical Japanese city has a skyscape dominated by mountains or a hilltop castle. While the city of Matsuyama in Ehime has both of those things, its true up-above gem is a giant carnival ride.

The Kururin Ferris wheel (from kururu, Japanese for "pivot hinge") sits on top of the Iyotetsu-Takashimaya mall, which in turn lies above the Matsuyama City train station. At 433 feet above sea level, the wheel serves as a handy point of reference for those exploring Matsuyama Castle and other attractions near the city center, especially when it's lit up at night.

Kururin's gondola cars come in different designs, some of which are completely see-through. Each car has a laminated guide pointing out (in Japanese) what you can see on your way up, such as the mountainside town of Tobe and the Botchan baseball stadium to the south, the Seto Inland Sea to the west, and mountain ranges in three different directions. At its apex, the ride also puts you level with Matsuyama Castle, the city's other centerpiece.

Related Tags

Amusement Parks Panoramas Stores Shops

Know Before You Go

Those that show a passport can ride for free, however free riders are not privy to the see-through gondolas. Up to four people can ride in a single car. Without a passport, the price is ¥700 for a regular gondola and ¥900 for a see-through one—tickets for either can be purchased in a machine just outside the entrance to the wheel. One revolution takes about 15 minutes and the ride operates from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with the last riders accepted at 10:45 p.m.

Enter the Iyotetsu-Takashimaya mall from the street or from inside Matsuyama City station and take the elevator up to the 9th floor. Also on the 9th floor is a large collection of gacha machines, some children's rides, and a restaurant.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

Explore a different side of Japan.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

andrewelsass

Published

August 27, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Kururin Ferris Wheel
5 Chome-1-1 湊町
Matsuyama-shi
Japan
33.836005, 132.762989
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Battleship Yamato Museum

Kure, Japan

miles away

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Submarine Museum

Kure, Japan

miles away

Yusuhara Town Library

Yusuhara, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Japan

Japan

Asia

Places 786
Stories 110

Nearby Places

Battleship Yamato Museum

Kure, Japan

miles away

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Submarine Museum

Kure, Japan

miles away

Yusuhara Town Library

Yusuhara, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Japan

Japan

Asia

Places 786
Stories 110

Related Stories and Lists

8 Ferris Wheels With Stellar Views

List

By Jonathan Carey

Related Places

  • Görlitz, Germany

    Jugendstilkaufhaus Görlitz

    After falling into disuse, this imposing department store found new life as a Hollywood backdrop and a theater.

  • Berdine’s Five and Dime opened in 1908 in downtown Harrisville, West Virginia.

    Harrisville, West Virginia

    Berdine's Five and Dime

    Step back in time at this historic variety store, packed with items from a bygone era.

  • The entrance to Afflecks.

    Manchester, England

    Afflecks

    Over 70 independent businesses have set up shop in this former Victorian department store.

  • Glass eyes

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Anastacia's Antiques

    For more than 25 years, this Philadelphia store has been offering a wide selection of Victorian oddities and antiques.

  • Ritualcravt- Colorado’s Hub for Witchcraft

    Wheat Ridge, Colorado

    Ritualcravt

    A Colorado store that specializes in all things spiritual, metaphysical, and witchy.

  • Barcelona, Spain

    Madame Chocolat Store

    This store decorated with Japanese and underground pop culture items has been the centre of Barcelona alternative fashion scenes for more than a decade.

  • Merchandise display at Sideshow Gallery

    Chicago, Illinois

    Sideshow Gallery

    This art gallery and oddities boutique bewitches visitors with a trove of occult trinkets and eccentric antiques, work by an ever-changing roster of underground artists, and classes in tarot and other mystic arts.

  • Fountain inside the Cove.

    Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

    The Gay Dolphin

    This maze-like, oceanfront gift shop—the nation’s largest— has been serving kitsch to the Myrtle Beach community for over 80 years.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.