What to know
Dogo Onsen (道後温泉, Dōgo Onsen) is one of Japan's oldest and most celebrated hot springs, located east of central Matsuyama. The area draws visitors with its beautiful bathhouse and numerous ryokan inns. It has also been a frequent retreat for Japan's Imperial Family.
The main highlight is the Dogo Onsen Honkan, a wooden public bathhouse built in 1894. Inside, a maze of stairways, corridors, and rooms buzzes with bathers and staff. It is said to have inspired the bathhouse in Miyazaki's beloved film "Spirited Away."
Beyond the Honkan, the Dogo Onsen area offers a shopping arcade, the secondary bathhouse Asuka no Yu, interesting temples and shrines, Dogo Park, and a museum dedicated to Masaoka Shiki, a famous Matsuyama native. Ryokan guests often stroll the streets in yukata, creating a delightful onsen town ambiance.
Dogo Onsen is the terminus of three tram lines. From JR Matsuyama Station, take tram line 5 (20 minutes), or from Matsuyama-shi Station, take tram line 3 (15 minutes).
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 6:00 to 23:00 (entry until 22:30)
- Closed
- varies by shop from no closing days to one per month or week, typically Tuesday or Wednesday
- Admission
- from 700 yen (~$4.48)
- English name
- Dogo Onsen
- Original name
- Dogo Onsen
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.