How to go to Matsuyama from Yogyakarta

Matsuyama is the capital city of Ehime prefecture, and a city where my husband studies for his PhD degree. Matsuyama is a city that is less popular compared to other cities in Japan you ever heard, I guess.

I've been in this city for several times,
So this is how you go to this city from Yogyakarta:

First step, of course, you need a Japan visa. The easiest way is to go to travel agent :) it is very easy. Even when you go to the Japan embassy by yourself, it will be still very easy. Just follow the instructions provided on their web.

Second step: find a flight. From Yogyakarta, you can fly to Japan using Garuda Indonesia (via Jakarta or Denpasar) or AirAsia (via Kuala Lumpur). The closest international airport to Matsuyama is Kansai International Airport in Osaka.

I only have experience using Garuda Indonesia so in Adisucipto International Airport you need to go to terminal 1 (if you use AirAsia, you need to go to terminal 2). When you check-in make sure that you will take your baggage(s) directly in Osaka or in Jakarta (or Denpasar). But as long as I remember, I always take my baggage(s) in Osaka, so you don't need to worry about carrying your baggage(s) in Jakarta (or Denpasar). And you will get two boarding passes, one for the domestic route, one for the international one. Yes, you don't need to do double check-in, unless they stated otherwise.

In Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, just follow the direction to go to the transfer site. You will need to check-in if previous you only have one boarding pass. If you already have the boarding pass for international flight, you can go to the immigration office. Prepare your passport and boarding pass, then follow the instruction again to go to the waiting room.

Your Garuda Indonesia flight will depart to Osaka around 23.30, make sure you go to the toilet first, and then have your Isya-pray. You will arrive in Osaka around 8.30 local time (or 6.30 WIB). In the plane, the flight attendants provide two forms: Embarkation card for foreigner (you have to write down the address where you will live during your visit!) and Customs declaration.

From the plane, you just need to follow where the people go. If you need to connect to the WiFi, the best time to do is when you are walking to the immigration port, because after that, you will lose the WiFi connection.

In immigration port, they will ask for your passport and the immigration form. They will also ask your fingerprints and photo.  From the immigration port, you go to the baggage claim. Kansai International Airport is the number one airport in the world in the baggage-handling category. Take a look at how they manage the passengers' luggages and you will be impressed!

After you claim your baggage(s) you will need to go through the last safety barrier. If you are lucky, they will only ask for your passport, if not, they probably ask you to open your baggage(s).

Then, it's done!

You can go outside to the arrival gate. The arrival gate is on the first floor.

If you are hungry, you can go to the halal udon restaurant on the second floor.

If not, then you have to go outside, turn to the right, and buy a bus ticket to go to Namba OCAT for ¥1,050 per person. You have to wait in the right bus stop, please read the sign (it's easy!)

It takes about an hour from the airport to go to Namba OCAT. You can enjoy Osaka!

In Namba OCAT, you go to the gate 6 or 5, and buy ticket heading to Matsuyama. The bus will depart at 10.25 and 11.55. It takes around 6 hours, choose to stop at Kawauchi and take taxi to go to your destination.

DONE!