Differences in Bathing Ticket Types and Included Amenities by Floor and Course at Dogo Onsen Honkan

1. Overall Picture of Bathing Course System and Floor Configuration of Dogo Onsen Honkan

Dogo Onsen Honkan, located in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, is a public bath operated by the designated manager, the "Dogo Onsen Consortium." In December 1994, it was designated as a National Important Cultural Property for the first time in Japan as a public bath. The preservation and repair work started in January 2019 was fully completed in December 2024.

The bathing styles of Dogo Onsen Honkan are divided into multiple courses depending on the bathrooms used, the floors, and the presence of rest rooms. The bathroom that can be bathed in, the available rest facilities, and the scope of provided rental items and amenities differ for each course. When visiting for the first time, you are required to select a bathing ticket after confirming the elements of each course.

Note that the time limit presented in all courses does not refer only to the "bathing time," but means the "total length of stay from entering the building to leaving the building." In addition, the "fudadome" set before the end of operating hours refers to the closing time of the reception.

2. Characteristics of the Kami-no-Yu (Lower Floor) Course and List of Included Amenities and Equipment

The "Kami-no-Yu Lower Floor" course is the most basic bathing course as a public bath located on the 1st floor of the Honkan. The adult fee is set at 700 yen, and the child fee for ages 2 to 11 is set at 350 yen. The operating hours are from 6:00 to 23:00, and the reception closing time is 22:30. The time limit is within 60 minutes.

As for the bathroom facilities on the 1st floor, there are two bathrooms for men and one bathroom for women. Historically, it has been used as a daily bath for local residents, and its usage style is equivalent to that of a general public bathhouse (sento). After passing the reception, proceed through the central corridor; men go to the changing room on the right-hand side facing forward, and women go to the changing room on the left-hand side facing forward.

The changing rooms are equipped with locked lockers that can be locked for free. As equipment in the bathroom, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and soap are provided and can be used freely. However, this course does not include rental towels or rental bath towels. You need to bring your own towel or separately purchase and use a rental towel (110 yen) or a rental bath towel (320 yen) sold at the shop of the Honkan. Note that the use of the rest room on the 2nd floor, the rental of yukata, and the hospitality of tea and tea snacks are not included in this course.

3. Facilities and Provided Services of the Kami-no-Yu (Second-Floor Seats) and Tama-no-Yu (Second-Floor Seats) Courses

The "Kami-no-Yu Second-Floor Seats" course can be used for 1,300 yen for adults and 650 yen for children. The operating hours are from 6:00 to 22:00, the reception closing time is 21:00, and the time limit is within 60 minutes. Selecting this course allows you to use the 2nd-floor grand hall rest room in addition to bathing in the "Kami-no-Yu" on the 1st floor. In the grand hall, a rental yukata and obi of a designated pattern are provided, and you can receive hospitality of tea and tea snacks (rice crackers, etc.) after bathing (cold beverages are also sold, and refills of tea are possible). However, rental towels are not included in this course either, so you need to bring a towel or procure one at the shop.

The "Tama-no-Yu Second-Floor Seats" course is available for 2,000 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for children. The operating hours are from 6:00 to 22:00, the reception closing time is 21:00, and the time limit is within 60 minutes. In this course, you can use the "Tama-no-Yu" bathroom, which is smaller and more quietly built than the "Kami-no-Yu," as well as the Kami-no-Yu. In terms of service, "rental towel" and "rental bath towel" are included in the course contents, in addition to resting in the 2nd-floor grand hall, tea and tea snacks, and rental yukata/obi. Furthermore, a free viewing right for the "Yushinden," the only bathroom dedicated to the Imperial Family in Japan, is attached.

4. Provided Contents of the Tama-no-Yu (Third-Floor Private Rooms) and Private Rooms Courses

The "Tama-no-Yu Third-Floor Private Rooms" course is 2,500 yen for adults and 1,250 yen for children. The operating hours are from 6:00 to 22:00, the reception closing time is 20:30, and the time limit is extended to within 90 minutes. You can use the private rest room located on the 3rd floor, and when you contact via the room's intercom after bathing, a service where staff bring tea and tea snacks to your room is carried out. Rental yukata, rental towels, rental bath towels, and the Yushinden viewing right are all included.

In addition, as advance reservation courses for groups and families, the 3rd-floor private room "Hisho-no-Ma" (capacity of 10 people, 3,000 yen per room + 1,300 yen for adults / 650 yen for children per person) and "Shirasagi-no-Ma" (capacity of 18 people, 6,000 yen per room + 1,300 yen for adults / 650 yen for children per person) are set up. The usage time is 90 minutes. Same-day reservations for private rooms are accepted by phone (089-921-5141), and procedures from the web reservation site are until 22:00 on the previous day.

In the washbasins of the changing rooms and the 2nd-floor female changing room, hair dryers, lotion, and hair essence are installed, and in the third-floor private rooms and private rooms, similar amenities are also provided in the rooms.

5. Comparison of Differences in Rental Yukata, Towels, Tea Snacks, and Viewing Rights for Each Course

The differences in incidental services for each course are organized as follows.

• "Kami-no-Yu Lower Floor": No rest room / No tea snacks / No rental towels / Soap and provided shampoos available / No yukata / No Yushinden viewing
• "Kami-no-Yu Second-Floor Seats": Rest room (grand hall) available / Tea snacks available / No rental towels / Soap and provided shampoos available / Yukata available / No Yushinden viewing
• "Tama-no-Yu Second-Floor Seats": Rest room (grand hall) available / Tea snacks available / Rental towel and bath towel available / Soap and provided shampoos available / Yukata available / Yushinden viewing available
• "Tama-no-Yu Third-Floor Private Rooms / Private Rooms": Rest room (private room/private room) available / Tea snacks available / Rental towel and bath towel available / Soap and provided shampoos available / Yukata available / Yushinden viewing available

The point that rental towels are not included in the two courses using Kami-no-Yu (lower floor and second-floor seats) is an item easily misunderstood by travelers from overseas. If you do not bring one, you will purchase a rental towel (110 yen) or an original face towel (360 yen) at the 1st-floor shop.

6. How to Purchase Bathing Tickets and Points to Confirm in Advance for Use

Bathing tickets are purchased at the fudaba (ticket counter) outside the entrance of the Honkan. As payment methods, in addition to cash, credit cards, debit cards, various electronic money, nationwide transportation IC cards, and QR code payments can be used (however, LINE Pay may not be used in some places such as the Yushinden viewing ticket window).

Furthermore, on the official website of Dogo Onsen (dogo.jp and dogo.or.jp), no explicit provisions regarding the permission or prohibition of bathing for those with tattoos (irezumi) are posted. However, the official etiquette stipulates, "Please refrain from bathing in swimsuits or while wearing towels." "Bathing wear" that can be worn during bathing is sold for 500 yen (including tax) at the shop of the Honkan. If you have any concerns, it is recommended to contact the local facility in advance for confirmation.

Operating hours, fees, and transportation schedules of each facility are subject to change. Please check the detail page of each spot and official information for the latest information.