Tsubaki-no-Yu

歴史

A Complete History of Dogo Onsen: From the Hot Water of the Nihon Shoki to Botchan Yu

Tracing the history of Dogo Onsen, where imperial visits are recorded in the Nihon Shoki and the surviving fragments of the Iyo no Kuni Fudoki, alongside a chronological table from Prince Shotoku's visit in 596, the completion of the Honkan in 1894, and its Important Cultural Property designation in 1994, to the full reopening of the entire facility in 2024.

建築

The Architecture of Dogo Onsen Honkan, an Important Cultural Property: Four Wings and Conservation Repair While Open

Dogo Onsen Honkan is a connected building made up of four wings, from the Kami-no-Yu Honkan wing of 1894 (Meiji 27) to the South and Entrance wings of 1924 (Taisho 13). In 1994 it became the first public bath to be designated a national Important Cultural Property. This article covers the people who built it, the time drum at Shinrokaku, tours of Yushinden (500 yen for adults), and the conservation repair completed in 2024.

温泉文化

Dogo's three public baths and their water quality: Honkan, Tsubaki no Yu, and Asuka no Yu

Dogo's public baths are Dogo Onsen Honkan, Tsubaki no Yu, and Dogo Onsen Annex Asuka no Yu (also called Asuka no Yu). This article covers differences in prices, time limits, and amenities, access conditions for people who want to avoid steps and those traveling with young children, the water quality (alkaline simple hot spring), how water is distributed from the sources, and day-use bathing at lodgings.

伝説

The White Heron Legend and the Tama-no-Ishi: Two Origin Stories of Dogo Onsen

This article introduces the two stories told as the origins of Dogo Onsen: the White Heron legend and Tama-no-Ishi. Tama-no-Ishi is on the north side of the Honkan (to the left when facing the front). It is said that pouring hot water over it with a ladle and praying will grant a wish. The article also covers the Heron Stone at Hojoen and the Honkan private rooms named after the white heron.

温泉文化

Where Does Dogo Onsen's Water Come From? 19 Hot Springs and Four Distribution Stations

Twenty-nine hot-spring sources have been developed at Dogo Onsen, and 19 are registered with Ehime Prefecture. This article introduces the four distribution stations that blend the water to adjust its temperature, and the Fourth Distribution Station, where you can see the piping and a hand bath. It also covers its location from the station and what the viewing room offers.

実用

Parking Guide for Dogo Onsen: Free Parking and the Conditions for “1 Hour Free,” Plus Fees at the City Lots and Dogo Park

Dogo Onsen Honkan has no dedicated parking lot. Of the 2 city lots, the Iwaiya Higashimachi Parking Lot gives you the first hour free even if you do not use a facility. The Dogo Onsen Parking Lot gives you the first hour free if you use one of the public baths. The only places that are free all day are the Matsuyama Kanko Temporary Parking Lot (22-1 Dogo Himezuka, Matsuyama), which is open only on designated days, and bicycle parking.

Practical

Dogo Onsen Bathing Etiquette and Procedure Guide for International Travelers

This guide explains the procedures and basic etiquette when using the public bathhouses of Dogo Onsen (Honkan, Asuka-no-Yu, and Tsubaki-no-Yu). It provides step-by-step explanations covering everything from handling shoes and using ticket machines to precautions in the bathing area, as well as rules regarding towels and tattoos.

温泉文化

Comparison of Public Baths (Sotoyu) and Lodging Facility Large Baths (Uchiyu) in Dogo Onsen

This article explains and compares the characteristics of public baths (sotoyu) and large baths in lodging facilities (uchiyu) in Dogo Onsen. It summarizes the hot spring water supply through a shared distribution system, differences in historical architecture and facilities, as well as differences in usage formats and amenities.

実用

A sample route with walking distances and rest breaks for Dogo Onsen's three public baths

Dogo's three public baths (Dogo Onsen Honkan, Asuka no Yu, and Tsubaki no Yu) can each be entered 1 time with the 3-Bath Circuit Ticket (1,440 yen for adults, valid for 2 days: the day of purchase and the following day). The time limits are 60 minutes at the Honkan, 90 minutes at Asuka no Yu, and up to 1 hour at Tsubaki no Yu. This article covers the layout of the baths, suggested bathing times and rest breaks to prevent dizziness, and foot baths you can use between visits.

実用

Etiquette for Wearing Yukata and Using Yu-kago Baskets in the Dogo Onsen Town

This article clearly explains an example of the basic rules for collar wrapping (migimae / left over right) when strolling in a yukata at Dogo Onsen, the role and carrying methods of the "yu-kago" basket used to hold personal belongings, how to walk in geta clogs, seasonal temperature adjustment measures, and etiquette.

Getting around

Do You Need a Rental Car for Dogo Onsen Sightseeing? A Guide to Exploring by Train and Bus Alone

How to get around Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama by streetcar, bus, and on foot, and the kinds of itineraries where a rental car is worth considering.

まちあるき

An Example of a Walking Model Course for a Day Trip Exploring Dogo Onsen and Dogo Park on Foot

For travelers visiting on a day trip from central Matsuyama City, this article explains an example of walking steps and precautions for efficiently touring the three public baths of Dogo Onsen and the area around Dogo Park on foot.

Practical

Dogo Onsen Honkan: Floors, Bathing Ticket Types by Course, and Differences in Included Amenities

At Dogo Onsen Honkan, rental towels are included only with the Rei no Yu courses. At Kami no Yu ground floor and 2nd-floor seating, bring your own towel or rent one at the 1st-floor shop (rental towel 110 yen). Shampoo, conditioner, body soap and hairdryers are available with all courses.

Onsen culture

Differences Between Japanese "Onsen" (Hot Springs) and "Sento" (Public Baths) and the Spring Quality/Form of Dogo Onsen

This article clarifies the institutional differences between onsen and sento in Japan, and explains Dogo Onsen's non-heated and non-diluted hot spring source supply system, procedures for using it as a public bath, and basic bathing etiquette.

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.

実用情報

What to Bring to Dogo Onsen's Public Baths, and Whether You Can Go Empty-Handed (Towels and Amenities)

At Dogo Onsen Honkan and Asuka no Yu, towels are included with Rei no Yu courses and the 2nd-floor special bathroom, while at the Kami no Yu ground floor and other courses you bring your own or rent them at the shop. Tsubaki no Yu has neither shampoo nor towels, so you need to bring them. All 3 baths allow you to bring your own towels and body soap; anything you forget can be rented or bought at the shop.

散策

An Afternoon Walk Through Dogo Onsen and Its Surroundings After Arriving in Matsuyama

This is a sample itinerary for spending several hours in Dogo Onsen after arriving in Matsuyama and checking in at your

温泉

Rental Service and Usage of "Yukago" Brought from Ryokan Rooms to Public Baths

Regarding the yukago used for touring the public baths in Dogo Onsen, this article introduces rentals at accommodations, what to bring, and returning them after bathing, based on official information. It also outlines preparations for walking from accommodations to public baths.