Soak in the healing waters of Japan's oldest hot springs ”Dogo onsen”, then take a leisurely stroll around its charming resort town
Enjoy the famous hot springs and walking around this unique resort town
Dogo onsen is said to be Japan’s oldest hot springs, symbolized by the Dogo Onsen Honkan – the first public bathhouse in Japan to have been designated as an important cultural property. The stately and beautiful three-story wooden building has two types of public baths – the smaller but more distinguished Tama no Yu (Bath of the Spirits) and the main Kami no Yu (Bath of the Gods)- and four bathing plans for visitors to choose from. It’s fun even to just stroll inside the main building with its intricate maze of rooms, corridors and stairs.
To enjoy the full experience of the public baths, you should try the third-floor private room plan and second-floor seat plan for Tama no Yu; with either of these plans, you can enjoy for free an exclusive view of the Yushinden – Japan’s only bathing facility reserved for the Emperor – and bathe in both Kami no Yu and Tama no Yu. After fully enjoying the healing waters of Dogo Onsen, you can wear a traditional yukata robe and relax with some Japanese tea and sweets. The Honkan also has many other appealing attractions besides its baths, including an exhibition room displaying valuable and historic documents related to Dogo Onsen, and the Botchan no Ma room that was supposedly used by Japan’s literary master, Soseki Natsume.
From January 2019, maintenance and repair work will be done on the Honkan while it remains open to the public.
The Dogo Onsen Asuka no Yu bath house is built in the architectural style of the Asuka period. It’s also worth viewing the building’s interior, which is a stunning blend of the traditional handicrafts of Ehime with sophisticated Japanese art.
Another enjoyable way to spend time at Dogo Onsen is to take a stroll through its resort town. Next to the Dogo Onsen Honkan is the Dogo High Collar Dori, where you’ll find many unique stores that capture the charm of Ehime and sell local goods and cuisine, such as its specialty Taimeshi dish of rice with sea bream, and mandarin orange juice made from local produce.
Sample three types of mandarin orange juice from 10FACTORY: 500 yen
“Uwajima taimeshi” from the restaurant Gansui: 2,100 yen
“Botchan Dango”, the signature sweet of Dogo. Matcha and Botchan Dango from Tsuboya Kashiho: 648 yen
Climb the steep stone steps up to the vibrant vermillion-colored Isaniwa Shrine, and be soothed by the breathtaking view of Dogo town from the top of the stairs.
The Navy Taiko drum show at the Hotel Tsubakikan Honkan is also worth seeing.
Dogo Onsen Honkan
- Address
- 5-6 Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime [Map]
- TEL
- +81-89-921-5141
- Open
- Kami no Yu lower floor 6:00-23:00 (Last entry at 22:30)
†*Please check the Dogo Onsen website for the opening hours of the other baths. - Closed
- Open all year †Temporarily closed on December 1
- Price
- Admission fee for Kami no Yu lower floor: 410 yen for ages 12 and older, 160 yen for ages 2 to 11
†Please check the Dogo Onsen website for the admission fees of the other baths. - URL
- Website
- Access
- From JR Matsuyama Station, take the Iyotetsu tram to Dogo Onsen for about 25 minutes, and walk for 5 minutes
- Credit card
- Not accepted
MAP
Dogo Onsen Bekkan Asuka no Yu
- Address
- 19-22 Dogoyunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime [Map]
- TEL
- +81-89-932-1126(Dogo Onsen Consortium)
- Open
- First floor bath 7:00-23:00 (Last entry at 22:30)
†Please check the Dogo Onsen website for the opening hours of the other baths. - Closed
- None *May be temporarily closed on some days
- Price
- Admission fee for first floor bath: 600 yen for ages 12 and older, 300 yen for ages 2 to 11
†Please check the Dogo Onsen website for the admission fees of the other baths. - URL
- Website
- Access
- From JR Matsuyama Station, take the Iyotetsu tram to Dogo Onsen for about 25 minutes, and walk for 5 minutes
- Credit card
- Not accepted
MAP
10FACTORY Dogo Store
MAP
Uwajima Taimeshi Gansui Dogo Store
- Address
- 13-10 Dogoyunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime [Map]
- TEL
- +81-89-968-1861
- Open
- 11:00-15:00 (Last order 14:30)/17:00-22:00 (Last order 21:30) †Store closes when sea bream is sold out
- Closed
- No set holidays
- URL
- Website
- Access
- From JR Matsuyama Station, take the Iyotetsu tram to Dogo Onsen for about 25 minutes, and walk for 3 minutes
- Credit card
- Accepted
MAP
Tsuboya Kashiho
- Address
- 14-23 Dogoyunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime [Map]
- TEL
- +81-89-921-2227
- Open
- 9:30-18:00/20:00-21:30
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Access
- From JR Matsuyama Station, take the Iyotetsu tram to Dogo Onsen for about 25 minutes, and walk for 3 minutes
- Credit card
- Accepted
MAP
MAP
Hotel Tsubakikan Honkan
- Address
- 5-32 Dogosagidani-cho, Matsuyama City, Ehime [Map]
- Open
- +81-89-945-1000
- Price
- Room charge: For 1 room for 2 people, 1 night stay with 2 meals starts from 16,200 yen per person
- URL
- Website
- Access
- From JR Matsuyama Station, take the Iyotetsu tram to Dogo Onsen for about 25 minutes, and walk for 10 minutes
- Credit card
- Accepted
MAP
(This information is as of March 2018)
External links
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