Free foot baths in the Dogo Onsen area: locations and what to prepare

There are 2 free foot baths in Dogo: Hojoen in front of Dogo Onsen Station (6:00–23:00) and Sora no Sanpomichi on the high ground south of the Honkan (6:00–21:00). This guide also covers the hand bath at the 4th Distribution Station (24 hours), free foot baths and hand baths at lodgings, and where to get a towel if you forget one.

First, the conclusion: locations and hours of the 2 free foot baths

(Confirmed on October 23, 2026, using information from Matsuyama City, the Dogo Onsen Office, and the Dogo Onsen Official Area Guide)

Foot bath	Location	Hours	Distance from the station	Closed
Hojoen foot bath	In front of Dogo Onsen Station, next to the Botchan Karakuri Clock	6:00–23:00	In front of the station	Open daily
Sora no Sanpomichi foot bath	South of Dogo Onsen Honkan, on Kammuriyama (4-30 Dogo Yunomachi)	6:00–21:00	10-minute walk	Open daily (the foot bath closes for 1 day in December for a temporary closure)

Neither charges a fee. No towels are provided, so bring your own.

Hojoen foot bath: location and hours

Hojoen is a corner in front of Dogo Onsen Station, at the entrance to the Dogo shopping arcade. The foot bath is next to the Botchan Karakuri Clock. It was completed in December Heisei 14 (Matsuyama City).

The water outlet uses a hot water kettle that was used at Dogo Onsen Honkan from Meiji 24 to Showa 29. The water is free-flowing alkaline simple hot spring water from the same source as Dogo Onsen Honkan. There is a free "mizukuroijo" changing area for removing stockings and similar items.

According to both Matsuyama City's information (updated October 9, 2026) and the Dogo Onsen Office's tourist information, the hours are 6:00–23:00. The Dogo Onsen Official Area Guide's list gives "8:00–22:00," so the hours differ between sources. If you intend to use it early in the morning or after 22:00, check the sign on site.

Sora no Sanpomichi foot bath: location and hours

Sora no Sanpomichi is an observation promenade on Kammuriyama, south of Dogo Onsen Honkan. It looks down over the entire Honkan and the town of Dogo. There is a gazebo and benches, and you can enjoy the view while soaking in a free-flowing source foot bath.

The foot bath is open 6:00–21:00, ending 2 hours earlier than Hojoen. There is a changing booth for using the foot bath. It is generally open daily, but the foot bath alone closes for 1 day in December. It is a 10-minute walk from Dogo Onsen Station.

Free hot water other than foot baths: the hand bath at the Fourth Distribution Station

On the right side of the front of the Fourth Distribution Station (7-28 Dogo Yunomachi), a 1-minute walk west from Dogo Onsen Station, there is a hand bath. It is available 24 hours and free.

A distribution station collects pumped source water and sends it to public baths such as the Honkan and to lodgings. The hand bath releases source water collected at the Fourth Distribution Station without temperature adjustment, so it is around 50 degrees. Because it is hot, touch it a little at a time to check the temperature before soaking your hands. The viewing room is open free of charge from 9:00 to 20:00, and you can see source water falling into the storage tank.

Free foot baths and hand baths at lodgings

The Dogo Onsen Official Area Guide's list includes foot baths and hand baths at lodgings that can be used free of charge.

Place	Type	Hours
Funaya	Foot bath	12:00–20:30
Dogokan	Foot bath	6:00–22:00
Dogo Grand Hotel	Hand bath	7:00–10:00, 15:00–21:00

The same list shows that the Dogo Prince Hotel, Yamatoya Honten's foot bath cafe Futohoto, and Foot Bath Cafe Botchan charge fees.

What to bring

A small towel for drying your feet
A bag for a wet towel
Pants or a skirt that can be rolled up to below the knee, and shoes that are easy to put on and take off

If you forget a towel (purchase and rental)

At the shop at Dogo Onsen Honkan, original face towels are sold for 360 yen. Rental towels cost 110 yen at the shops at both the Honkan and Tsubaki no Yu. The shop products are listed in information for bathers, and it has not been confirmed whether people who are not bathing can buy them.

Dogs and crowded times

If you bring a pet such as a dog, follow the notices on site.

When it is crowded, do not sit for a long time; share the space.

For other ways to spend time besides foot baths, see How to enjoy Dogo Onsen Honkan and the surrounding area without bathing. For Hojoen and the Karakuri Clock, see Dogo Onsen Station and Hojoen.

Sources:

Last confirmed: October 23, 2026