Dogo Onsen's History: From the Waters of the "Nihon Shoki" to the "Botchan-yu"

We trace the history of Dogo Onsen, counted as one of Japan's three oldest hot springs, from myths and ancient legends to the mystery of Prince Shotoku's epitaph, the reconstruction of the main building in the Meiji period, the literature of Shiki and Soseki, and the recent preservation and repair work, all based on primary sources.

Myth and Antiquity — The Water of the "Three Ancient Hot Springs of Japan"

Dogo Onsen is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, counted as one of the "Three Ancient Hot Springs of Japan" along with Arima Onsen (Hyogo) and Nanki-Shirahama Onsen (Wakayama). Its name already appears in Volume 1 of the Manyoshu of the Nara period, and the Nihon Shoki and the shrine records of the local Isaniwa Shrine pass down that many imperial family members visited the hot spring, including Emperor Keiko, Emperor Chuai, Empress Jingu, Emperor Jomei, Empress Saimei, Prince Naka no Oe (later Emperor Tenji), and Prince Oama (later Emperor Tenmu). As also left in the name of the hot spring town's symbol "Shinrokaku," the legend of the white heron—that an injured white heron was healed by the hot spring—has been passed down in this area since ancient times.

The Mystery of the Inscription — Prince Shotoku and the Iyo Yuoka Monument

In 596, Prince Umayado (Prince Shotoku) stayed in Dogo to recover from an illness, as recorded in a surviving fragment of the Iyo no Kuni Fudoki. It is passed down that the prince climbed the hill of Isaniwa, praised the hot spring and the scenery, and left an inscription as a commemoration. This is the "Iyo Yuoka Monument," but the actual monument has not been discovered to this day, and it is considered the greatest mystery of Dogo Onsen. A stone monument copying the text said to have been written on the monument still stands in the green space south of Tsubaki no Yu.

The Middle Ages — Yuzuki Castle and the Hot Spring Town

In the Middle Ages, the Kono clan, who ruled Iyo Province, built Yuzuki Castle in this area. The place where the castle was located has been developed as the current Dogo Park, and the earthen walls and moats still convey the appearance of the past. The hot spring town flourished for a long time as a castle town and a place for hot spring cures.

The Bold Decision of Meiji — Yukiya Isaniwa and the Reconstruction of the Main Building

Dogo Onsen Honkan, which is now the symbol of Dogo, is a modern Japanese-style architecture completed in 1894. The reconstruction was led by Yukiya Isaniwa, the first mayor of Dogo Yunomachi. Intense opposition movements occurred against the plan to spend a huge sum of money, but it is passed down that Isaniwa pushed through the decision, saying "For the sake of Dogo a hundred years from now." He appointed Matahachiro Sakamoto, a castle carpenter, as the master builder, and a grand three-story wooden building appeared. In 1899, the Yushinden and Tama no Yu Building, which features the only bathroom in Japan dedicated exclusively to the Imperial Family, was completed. From the "Shinrokaku" tower on the roof, the Tokidaiko drum is still beaten three times a day at 6:00 a.m., noon, and 6:00 p.m., and in 1996, it was selected as one of the "100 Soundscapes of Japan to be preserved."

The Hot Spring of Literature — Shiki and Soseki

Dogo is also a hot spring in Matsuyama, the birthplace of Shiki Masaoka, who revolutionized modern haiku. Soseki Natsume, who arrived in 1895 as an English teacher at Matsuyama Middle School, is passed down to have visited the Honkan's bath with Shiki, and the "Botchan Room" remains on the third floor of the Honkan. Because it was depicted in the novel "Botchan" (1905), which was based on his days in Matsuyama, the Honkan is still affectionately known by the nickname "Botchan-yu."

Preservation and Repair, and the Present

In 1994, Dogo Onsen Honkan was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The Honkan, which is over 120 years old, entered preservation and repair work in January 2019 while continuing business operations, and resumed full operations on July 11, 2024. Along with Dogo Onsen Annex Asuka no Yu (opened in 2017), which was designed in the image of the Asuka period after the legend of Prince Shotoku's visit, and Tsubaki no Yu, which is popular among local people, the three public baths continue to be the core of the hot spring town.

※ The latest operating hours, bathing fees, and admission fees of each facility are subject to change. Please check the detail pages of each spot and official information for details.