Botchan Karakuri Clock
A mechanical clock in Hojoen plaza in front of Dogo Onsen Station. Installed in 1994 to mark the 100th anniversary of the main building of Dogo Onsen, characters from the novel Botchan appear on the hour. A free foot bath sits beside it.
The Botchan Karakuri Clock is a mechanical clock located in Hojoen, a plaza in front of Dogo Onsen Station. It was installed in 1994 as part of the project celebrating the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Dogo Onsen Honkan. It features a mechanism where characters from Soseki Natsume's novel "Botchan" appear to welcome visitors, and it is one of the representative photo spots in Dogo.
Operating Hours
It operates from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Normally it runs every hour, and every 30 minutes on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, in March, April, August, and November, during the New Year's holiday period (December 28 to January 5), and during Golden Week (May 1 to 5). When it operates, different music plays depending on the time of day, such as "Kono Machi de," "Iyo Manzai," "Botchan's Theme," and "Lullaby-style Iyo-bushi."
Adjacent Footbath
Near the clock, there is a footbath that uses the hot spring source of Dogo Onsen, which can be used free of charge.
Location
Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City (In front of Dogo Onsen Station, Hojoen)
Source: Matsuyama City Official Website. Please check the official website for the latest operation information.
Last confirmation date: July 2026
Articles that mention this place
歴史
Botchan Ressha: The Meiji-Era Train Named by "Botchan"
The Botchan Ressha runs only on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, with a one-way fare of 1,300 yen for adults. Numbered boarding tickets for same-day trips departing from Dogo Onsen Station are distributed starting at 8:30 in the morning. This article summarizes operating days, timetables, boarding stops, and history from its opening in 1888 (Meiji 21) to its restoration in the Heisei era.
まちの記憶
Dogo Onsen Station and Hojoen: The Gateway to the Hot-Spring Town, and the Mechanical Clock
The Botchan Karakuri Clock operates every hour from 8:00 to 22:00 (every 30 minutes on weekends, holidays, and throughout March, April, August, and November), and the Hojoen foot bath is open 6:00 to 23:00 for free. This article summarizes Dogo Onsen Station opened in 1895, the station building recreated in 1986, and features in Hojoen in front of the station.
Practical
Steps and Precautions for Visiting the Dogo Onsen Area When Using the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass Steps and Precautions for Visiting the Dogo Onsen Area When Using the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass
This article explains the transfer steps from JR Matsuyama Station to the Dogo Onsen area when traveling using the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass and precautions regarding the pass coverage on streetcars.
Walking the town
An Example of a Model Walking Course Around Dogo Onsen Station with a 2-Hour Stay An Example of a Model Walking Course Around Dogo Onsen Station with a 2-Hour Stay
This guide outlines an example of a short walking route starting from Dogo Onsen Station and visiting the shopping street, the exterior of public bathhouses, and surrounding temples and shrines when the stay in the Dogo Onsen area is approximately 2 hours.
Walking the town
An Example of a Dogo Photo Spot Walking Route Targeting Early Morning and Sunset Hours An Example of a Dogo Photo Spot Walking Route Targeting Early Morning and Sunset Hours
For travelers who wish to take photos of historical buildings and streetscapes while avoiding crowds, this guide presents an example of a walking route to enjoy the light conditions and quiet atmosphere during the early morning and sunset hours.
実用
Getting a Numbered Ticket and Finding Places to Wait at Dogo Onsen Honkan and Asuka no Yu When They Are Crowded
Numbered tickets for Dogo Onsen's public baths are issued only when the bathhouse is crowded. Your ticket becomes invalid if you do not arrive within 15 minutes of the call. The official crowd display is updated every 10 minutes. While you wait, you can visit Sora no Sanpomichi, the Hojoen footbath or the Karakuri Clock.
Getting around
How to Ride the Iyotetsu City Tram (Streetcar) and Pay the Fare: Suica and ICOCA Work
On the Iyotetsu city tram, board through the door marked “Entrance” and pay when you get off. The cash fare is 250 yen for adults, or 230 yen for adults with a transit IC card such as Suica or ICOCA. Use the fare box to change money, and the 1-Day Ticket is digital only. The ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass cannot be used.
Practical
Status of Multilingual Signs, Transportation Landscape Guidance, and Accessibility in the Dogo Onsen Area
For international travelers visiting Dogo Onsen, this article explains the status of multilingual information provided on official websites and at tourist information centers, as well as key points when exploring the local area.
Practical
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.
Walking the town
A sample 1-night, 2-day Dogo Onsen itinerary: timetable and how to visit the public baths
Dogo Onsen Station, Dogo Haikara Dori, Dogo Onsen Honkan, Enman-ji Temple, and Dogo Park are all within walking distance. Seeing only the exteriors and walking around town takes 2 hours; adding one public bath takes about 4 hours in the afternoon. There are 5 patterns, from a 4-hour airport layover to a 1-night, 2-day stay, and the time needed depends on whether you only see the exteriors or also bathe at a public bath.
Getting around
An Example of a Walking Route to Explore the Dogo Onsen Area During a 4-Hour Layover at Matsuyama Airport or Port
This is an example of a route to explore the Dogo Onsen area by utilizing a layover time of approximately 4 hours from Matsuyama Airport or Matsuyama Sightseeing Port. It explains the access procedures for the limousine bus, baggage storage, and how to walk around the town in a short period of time.
More spots in Central Dogo Onsen Area
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Familymart Dogo Yunomachi
Familymart Dogo Yunomachi, a convenience store in Dogo Yunomachi. Convenient for food and drink and ATM use in the onsen district.
HELLO CYCLING Dogo Onsen Ekimae Port
A sharing cycle port, HELLO CYCLING Dogo Onsen Ekimae Port, is located in front of Dogo Onsen Station. Electric-assist bicycles can be rented to tour Matsuyama’s tourist destinations.
Dogo Purin
A pudding specialist with a Taisho-era retro feel, known for Dogo Purin topped with a whole mandarin. A range of flavours is available.
Imabariya
A souvenir shop in the Dogo Onsen district. It sells kasuri-patterned hime-daruma and hime-temari, along with sweets, local sake and Imabari towels.
inaho
A shop specialising in puffed rice snacks made with Ehime-grown rice. A range of mild flavours is available, suitable as souvenirs or gifts.
Haru Dogo Yunomachi
An izakaya in Dogo Yunomachi serving dishes such as suppon (soft-shelled turtle). Open in the evening, 18:00–23:00, closed on Mondays (notice board at the shop, 20 October 2026).
Pie Specialty Shop Tsutsumi Dogo
A pie specialist in the Dogo shopping arcade. It opened in 2025 as the second branch and offers pies for takeaway made with local ingredients, such as the Dogo sake-lees pie.
Dogo Rilakkuma no Yu
A hot spring-themed Rilakkuma goods shop and takeout counter located on Dogo Haikara Dori. It carries items such as hanging plush toys exclusive to the Dogo store.
More "Parks & Gardens" spots
See all in this category →Iwaidani Kita Park
A park for local residents in a quiet residential area. It has a combined play structure notable for its circular monkey bars, offering a calm, spacious place for children to play.
Joshin-ji Temple
A Tendai Buddhist temple in Iwaidani-higashi-machi, Matsuyama. One of the four temples associated with the Hisamatsu-Matsudaira family, it was relocated to its present site in 1635 (Kan'ei 12) by Matsudaira Sadayuki. The grounds contain the mausoleum of Matsudaira Sadayuki, a designated Ehime Prefecture historic site.
Iwaidani 1-chome Park
A small park ideal for a baby's or toddler's first park outing. It has a sandpit edged with urethane and spring-mounted playground rides shaped like a chick and a rabbit.
Hojoen
The plaza in front of Dogo Onsen Station. With the Botchan Karakuri Clock and a free foot bath that is easy to drop by, it is the starting point of a Dogo stroll.
Shin-Ishite Park
A popular family park along the Ishite River. It has colorful combined playground equipment and a sandpit, and the restrooms are equipped with diaper-changing sheets.
KKR Dogo Yuzuki
A lodging and banquet facility in Iwasaki-cho, Matsuyama. Close to the Dogo Onsen district, it is an inn where guests can enjoy hot springs and meals, and it is also open to the general public.
Iwaidani Park
A neighborhood park with fine views set within a residential area. The cherry blossoms are beautiful in spring, and it has a combined play structure with a swing, seesaw, and slide.
Ishitegawa Green Space (Iwazeki Bridge Area)
An area defined by Iwazeki-bashi, a red suspension bridge completed in the Taisho era. You can enjoy strolling and photography with the murmur of the river as background.