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.
Hojoen is a plaza located in front of Dogo Onsen Station, popular as a starting point for strolling around Dogo.
Highlights
In the plaza, there is the "Bocchan Karakuri Clock," which was installed in 1994 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the construction of Dogo Onsen Honkan. The mechanism moves according to the time, and puppets shaped like the characters from Natsume Soseki's novel "Botchan" appear. Next to the clock, a footbath that can be used for free is provided.
Location
It is located in a position connecting Dogo Onsen Station of the Iyo Railway, Dogo Onsen Honkan, and Dogo Haikara-dori (shopping arcade), and is also used as a place for meetings and resting.
Source: Dogo Onsen (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA). Last verified: July 2026
More spots in Central Dogo Onsen Area
See all in this area →Rokujiya Dogo
The Dogo branch of Rokujiya, founded in 1933 and known for the Matsuyama speciality tart. It sells additive-free Japanese and Western sweets such as castella and yokan.
Kadoya Dogo Tsubakizaka
Kadoya Dogo Tsubakizaka is a local cuisine restaurant in Dogo Yunomachi. It is a Kadoya Group restaurant offering the flavors of Uwajima, and operates in the Dogo Onsen area with tai-meshi as its signature dish.
Yanagihara Kyokudo Haiku Monument
A haiku monument is located in Hojoen, in front of Dogo Onsen Honkan. It commemorates Ryu Hiroshi (1867–1957), a poet from Matsuyama. Ryu Hiroshi founded the literary magazine 'Hototogisu' in Matsuyama in 1897, and became the first honorary citizen of Matsuyama City.
Ichiroku Honpo Dogo
Ichiroku Honpo in the Dogo Onsen district. A Japanese confectioner selling Ehime specialities such as the Ichiroku tart. There are two outlets: the Dogo shop and the shop in front of Dogo Onsen Honkan.
Sumiya Tobeyaki
Sumiya Tobeyaki is a craft and folk craft store in the Dogo Onsen district. As the store name suggests, it handles Tobe ware, a traditional Ehime ceramic.
Lawson Matsuyama Dogo Ekimae
Lawson Matsuyama Dogo Ekimae is a convenience store located in front of Dogo Station. It is convenient for use while waiting for a train or before and after a walk.
Ehime Shugi at Kosen
A select shop produced by Nankai Broadcasting. It opened in September 2025 on the former site of the gift shop Kosen.
Hotel Patio Dogo
A 101-room hotel directly facing Dogo Onsen Honkan. Tsubaki-no-Yu and Asuka-no-Yu, as well as the shopping street, are within walking distance, making it convenient for visiting the external bathhouses.
More "Parks & Gardens" spots
See all in this category →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.
Dogo Park (Yuzuki Castle Ruins)
A park developed on the ruins of medieval Yuzuki Castle. It was the seat of the Kono clan, military governors of Iyo Province, and is designated a National Historic Site. It features reconstructed samurai residences and earthworks, a museum, and an observation deck.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.