Matsuno is a little township on a tributary of the Shimanto River. Surrounded by mountains, with a wide and shallow river running through it, Matsuno is a typical inland Shikoku town. What sets it apart is its aquarium, the Osakanakan, with fish and amphibians from the Shimanto River, as well as some massive fish from the Amazon River. Nametoko Gorge, with its dramatic waterfalls and chutes, is a popular place for canyoning.

Matsuno stands in the district called ‘Kihoku’, an unusual name that includes the Japanese character for ‘oni’ meaning ‘ogre’. At the road station in Matsuno, there’s an imposing statue of an oni. He has a pheasant on his shoulder, many of which can be seen in the area.

The town is close to the border with Kōchi prefecture, and in the middle ages, the domain of Iyo where Matsuno lies, was frequently attacked by forces from Tosa, now Kōchi. A huge hill fortress, Kagomori Castle remains on the edge of the town as a reminder of those warring states times. Below the castle is the Masaki-Masamitsu Brewery, known for its Nobushi ‘wandering samurai’ brand. Recently, another wandering samurai has made his home in Matsuno, at the BBQ Castle in front of Matsumaru Station.