Matsuyama is perhaps best known for '''Dogo Onsen''' (????), which attracts hot spring enthusiasts and newcomers alike to its steamy waters that emerge from faults in the east-west tectonic line. This public bathhouse is thought to be the oldest in Japan, a claim reinforced by its mention in the second oldest book of Japanese history, ''Nihon Shoki'' (720 AD). For literary buffs, renowned novelist '''Natsume Soseki''' (????), whose visage graced the 1,000 yen note, wrote his classic novel ''Botchan'' while living and working there as a teacher, thus putting Matsuyama on the map. Although the area does not come off well in the Tokyo|Edo-phile's description, the town nevertheless celebrates the connection with a variety of events and displays. '''Masaoka Shiki''' (????), Natsume’s friend and mentor, was not only a native of Matsuyama, but is one of the four great masters of haiku. He single-handedly revolutionized Japanese poetry by revitalizing the old form and modernizing the themes, thus making the short verse once again relevant to modern Japanese culture. http://wikitravel.org/en/Matsuyama