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If you want to eat onigiri (rice balls) in Matsuyama, start here! 4 recommended popular shops

Photograph:ichisachi

If you want to eat onigiri (rice balls) in Matsuyama, start here! 4 recommended popular shops

Matsuyama, the capital of Ehime Prefecture in the northwestern part of Shikoku, is known for its abundance of local specialties like Sea Bream and citrus fruits, making it a great place to enjoy flavors unique to the Setouchi (Seto Inland Sea) region. This time, we’ve rounded up some popular onigiri (rice ball) shops in Matsuyama. Perfect for a quick bite while sightseeing, these onigiri are made with freshly cooked rice and filled with a wide variety of ingredients.

Created: July 21, 2026

This article is based on120Tabelog reviews.

Table of Contents

Dogo Tamaya

Photograph:fujimo123

Dogo Tamaya is a souvenir shop in the Dogo shopping arcade, just a 1-minute walk from Dogo Onsen Station. It has a small, cozy storefront, and the large banner reading “Ganso Tamaya no Mikan Onigiri” makes it easy to spot.

Along with specialty goods from Shikoku and Dogo, the shop also carries unique souvenirs that make you want to pick them up.

Photograph:鳥居茂徳

The photo shows the shop’s specialty, Ganso Tamaya no Mikan Onigiri. It stands out for its orange-colored rice, made with seasonal mikan (mandarin oranges) and cooked in mikan juice.

They also mix in chopped mikan peel for a fresh flavor. You can choose chicken or beef for the filling, and they shape each onigiri after you order, so you can enjoy it while it is still warm.

Photograph:NO WARNING

The "tai miso" made with madai (Sea Bream) from Ehime Prefecture and barley miso is also recommended. It is said to be packed with the rich flavor of Sea Bream, with a deep sweetness that spreads across the palate.

It goes well with rice, of course, but also makes a great filling for onigiri (rice balls) or a snack to go with drinks. It is also said to be a popular choice for a souvenir.

yuuu.453

A friend strongly told me, "If you go to Dogo Onsen (Dogo Hot Springs), you have to try this," and highly recommended this mikan (mandarin orange) onigiri shop. It seemed like they make them in the back of the shop by hand, and I got one freshly made. It tasted like something I had never had before, kind of like a sweet and tangy egg fried rice onigiri. The size is not that big either, so you can easily eat one even if you are not that hungry!

Source:yuuu.453's review

ちいさなうさぎさん

When you hear mikan (mandarin orange) onigiri (rice ball), you might think, eh!? mandarin orange and a rice ball!? But it was Surprising how genuinely delicious it was♡ It might have been my favorite out of everything I tried while eating my way around Dogo Onsen (Dogo Hot Springs)! It has mikan, chicken, and Matsuyama-age (deep-fried tofu) in it!

Source:ちいさなうさぎさん's review

Dogo Tamaya
Dogo Onsen Sta. / Onigiri (Rice ball), Sweets

3.27

76

  • - JPY 999
  • - JPY 999
  • -
愛媛県松山市道後湯之町6-13

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Omusubi Te ni Te ni

Photograph:s2mi

Omusubi Te Ni Te Ni is an onigiri specialty shop located right in front of Red Cross Hospital-mae Station. They use Ehime-produced Hinohikari rice, a branded variety, and the owner carefully makes each one by hand.

It is known for its light texture that gently falls apart. This is a spot where you can enjoy it as Takeout while walking around or take your time and eat inside.

Photograph:しがと

In addition to classic fillings like ume (pickled plum), okaka (bonito flakes), and sake (salmon), they offer a total of 15 varieties, including original options made with house made fillings. Among them, the popular choices are the "Bihada Musubi" made with genmai (brown rice), kuromai (black rice), and walnuts, and the "Piri-Kara Niku Miso".

They also recommend enjoying them in the shop with miso soup made from iriko dashi (dried sardine stock) and additive-free miso.

Photograph:ガッちゃん0923

In addition to onigiri (rice balls), the house-made ohagi (sweet rice balls) are also popular. They come in options like tsubuan (chunky red bean paste), kinako (roasted soybean flour), and black sesame, with red bean paste inside for a satisfyingly filling bite.

The anko (sweet red bean paste), made with Domestic azuki beans, has a gentle sweetness and is said to be perfect as a dessert after a meal.

おにぎり君327

The rice itself is very tasty in every item. I always order the ume shiso sasami cheese (rice ball with pickled plum, perilla, chicken tender, and cheese) whenever I come here. The soboro (seasoned minced meat) is of course good, but the okaka (bonito flakes) + cheese was better than I expected. Next time, I want to order the miso soup and eat lots more omusubi (rice balls).

Source:おにぎり君327's review

Ciara_m

My favorite is the “Gokoku Kurumi Cheese,” but it was sold out that day, so I had the “Bihada Nigiri” and “ohagi (sweet rice ball with red bean paste).” They sometimes have unusual items too, so I keep finding myself coming back. The miso soup sells out on some days, so going early is recommended. The nice sharp salt seasoning is also excellent.

Source:Ciara_m's review

Omusubi Te ni Te ni
Red Cross Hospital Sta. / Onigiri (Rice ball)

3.16

14

  • - JPY 999
  • - JPY 999
  • Sunday
愛媛県松山市平和通1-4-15

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Onigiri Tsuzumi JR Matsuyama Eki Ten

Photograph:ワンエース

Onigiri Tsuzumi JR Matsuyama Eki Ten is an onigiri specialty shop located inside Matsuyama Station, on JR Matsuyama Station Dandan Dori. They use rice from Kihoku-cho, Ehime Prefecture, and the generously sized onigiri are said to be very filling.

The rice has a chewy texture and pairs well with the generous fillings, making for a satisfying, Manzoku taste.

Photograph:ポンポさん

The photo shows "ran'ō shoyu (egg yolk marinated in soy sauce)." This is a luxurious dish topped with an egg yolk marinated in soy sauce.

The rich egg yolk is said to blend well with the nicely seasoned rice. People praise how its mild umami spreads with each bite.

Photograph:Хироюки Мацуура

Another draw is the wide selection of unique menu items. Among them, the hearty "Buta Kimchi (Pork Kimchi)" is also popular in reviews.

The chunky pieces of pork go very well with the mildly spicy kimchi, making it a good pick when you want a filling meal.

eveR

We had these onigiri (rice balls). My mother and son had shake (salmon), and I had tamago no kimi (egg yolk). All three of us thought they were delicious and finished them in no time. The salt level was just right, and the light, fluffy way they were shaped is hard to copy, even though they are just onigiri. Just one onigiri is enough to fill you up.

Source:eveR's review

NO WARNING

Okaka, the umami of okaka (bonito flakes) soaks into the soft, plump rice. Buta kimuchi (pork kimchi), the mildly spicy kimchi and the flavor of the pork blend well with the soft, plump rice. Shake menta (salmon and spicy cod roe), it seems to be available for a limited time. The mildly spicy mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and the flavor of the salmon are a nice match.

Source:NO WARNING's review

onigiri tsutsumi JR matsuyama eki ten
Matsuyama Sta. / Onigiri (Rice ball)

3.10

26

  • -
  • -
  • -
愛媛県松山市南江戸1-14-1JR松山駅だんだん通り

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Omusubi Nogi

Photograph:こち。

Omusubi Noogi is a Takeout specialty shop for onigiri (rice balls) and bento (boxed meals), located just steps from Kamiichiman Station. It offers onigiri made with rice cooked in a hagama (traditional iron pot) and Homemade bento.

Since they close once everything sells out, reserving or asking them to hold items in advance is recommended.

Photograph:sky.21

The onigiri (rice balls) come in a wide range of fillings, from classics like sesame kombu kelp and karashi takana (spicy mustard greens) to more filling options like egg yolk and simmered beef, and mentaiko (spicy cod roe) cream cheese.

They shape each one after you order, which gives them a soft, fluffy finish. The rice, cooked in a hagama (traditional iron pot), has a nice firm grain, and people say it really brings out the quality of the ingredients.

Photograph:こち。

The photo shows "Gudakusan Tonjiru (hearty pork miso soup)." In addition to pork, it is packed with root vegetables such as daikon radish, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

It also goes great with onigiri (rice balls), making it a satisfying bowl. The gentle sweetness of barley miso spreads across the palate, and it is said to have a flavor that warms you from the inside out.

sky.21

I chose a bento with classic salmon and tonjiru (pork miso soup). I made a selfish request and borrowed a space inside the shop, then ate it in the order of salt, salmon, and kombu kelp. The salt level was just right, the rice was neither hard nor soft, and the miso in the tonjiru was on the sweeter side, with a nice sweetness from the pork fat as well.

Source:sky.21's review

大凪零

It was delicious. Today’s highlight was the ran'o shoyu (egg yolk soy sauce). The rich egg yolk soaked through the whole rice ball and gave it a deep, satisfying flavor.

Source:大凪零's review

Omusubi Nogi
Kamiichiman Sta. / Onigiri (Rice ball), Side dishes, Delicatessen

3.05

4

  • -
  • - JPY 999
  • Saturday, Sunday
愛媛県松山市勝山町2-17-4

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How we selected the restaurants introduced

The Tabelog Matome editorial team creates roundup articles about restaurants selected based on reviews and rankings related to "Matsuyama no onigiri (rice balls in Matsuyama)." When selecting restaurants, they do not take any factors other than reviews and rankings into account, including whether a restaurant uses Tabelog's advertising services.

Please note that contents, prices, menus, and other details may have changed since this article was published. Be sure to confirm store details before visiting.