Dogo Onsen Main Building

Dogo Onsen is one of Japan's oldest hot springs located in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, and is said to have a history of more than three thousand years. It is mentioned in the Nihon Shoki and Man'yoshu, and there is a legend that Prince Shotoku bathed there. It is widely known as the hot spring featured in novelist Natsume Soseki's 'Botchan,' and Soseki himself frequented it during his time as a teacher at Matsuyama Middle School, earning it the affectionate nickname 'Botchan-yu.'

The symbol of Dogo Onsen is the Dogo Onsen Main Building, built in Meiji 27 (1894). It is a three-story wooden public bathhouse that remains unique in Japan as an Important Cultural Property still operating as an active public bathhouse. At the top of the building is a small tower called the Shinro-kaku with red glass, and every morning at six, a drum sounds to announce the opening. This drum sound has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Soundscapes Worth Preserving.

The Main Building offers multiple bathing courses. The most casual option is the Kami-no-yu, where you can freely bathe in a granite bath, while those who prefer to soak leisurely can choose courses with private rest areas. The spring water is alkaline simple spring, known as a 'Beauty Bath' where skin becomes smooth. The colorless and transparent water is gentle and irritation-free, loved by people of all ages, from children to the elderly. With a source water temperature of approximately 42-51 degrees Celsius, visitors can enjoy the pure, free-flowing hot spring water without any heating or water additives.

Following approximately seven years of preservation and restoration work from 2017, the Main Building fully reopened in 2024. The restoration faithfully recreated the architectural beauty of the Meiji period while implementing seismic reinforcement and modernizing the facilities. The Yushin-den, in particular, is a prestigious space that was built as a bathing chamber reserved for the Imperial Household, featuring gold-leaf murals and interior finishings made from premium wood that are well worth seeing. The interior can be viewed through a special viewing course.

The pleasures of Dogo Onsen extend beyond bathing. Dogo Haikara Street (Dogo Shopping Arcade) in front of the Main Building is a covered shopping arcade spanning approximately 250 meters, featuring specialty shops for Imabari towels, galleries of Tobe pottery, mandarin orange juice taps, and shops selling jaco tempura—a charming shopping street with Ehime's specialty products. The traditional way to enjoy Dogo is to stroll down this street in yukata with clacking wooden clogs.

The surrounding area is rich with attractions. In front of Dogo Onsen Station stands the Botchan Karakuri Clock, where mechanical figures come to life every hour—a popular spot among tourists. Right next door is Hojoyen, a free foot bath perfect for a break during your stroll. Dogo Park, built on the ruins of Yuzuki Castle, is a famous cherry blossom spot that bustles with viewing visitors in spring. Matsuyama Castle is just about 15 minutes away by streetcar, and combining Dogo Onsen with Matsuyama Castle is the classic sightseeing itinerary.

Accommodations range from long-established ryokans to modern hotels. Dogo Onsen Funaya, in particular, is a renowned inn with a history of over 390 years, a prestigious establishment where even Emperor Showa once stayed. In recent years, inns featuring art exhibitions and renovated ryokans have increased in popularity among young travelers.

Access: approximately 40 minutes by limousine bus from Matsuyama Airport, or approximately 25 minutes by streetcar from JR Matsuyama Station. Why not soak in Japan's oldest hot spring with its three-thousand-year history and savor the charm of this spa town beloved by Soseki?