A Heart-Fluttering Journey to Dogo: Japan’s Oldest Hot Spring Town

Did you know about Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture? It is actually the oldest hot spring destination in Japan! This wonderful town offers a perfect blend of retro atmosphere and modern art, gently welcoming and exciting every visitor.

In this guide, we will introduce the abundant charms of Dogo, from its iconic hot spring bathhouse and delightful street food in the shopping arcade to historical parks and majestic castles.

🚃 Start Your Journey at a Retro Station! Dogo Onsen Station & Botchan Train

Your trip in Dogo begins at Dogo Onsen Station, where you will feel as if you have slipped back in time! This beautiful, Western-style building is a faithful reconstruction of the original station built in the Meiji era (1868–1912), and it is incredibly stylish.

Inside the station building, you will find the “Starbucks Coffee Dogo Onsen Station Shop”! Enjoying a special coffee break in such a historical space is a wonderful experience. In front of the station, you can see the “Botchan Train,” a retro steam locomotive made famous by Natsume Soseki’s classic novel Botchan. Just watching it run through the streets of Dogo will make you feel like you have traveled back to the Meiji and Taisho eras.

🛍️ Taste Ehime’s Gourmet Delights at Dogo Haikara Dori!

The L-shaped shopping arcade connecting Dogo Onsen Station to the main bathhouse is called “Dogo Haikara Dori” (Dogo Shopping Arcade)! It is lined with shops offering delicious local Ehime specialties and souvenirs. Just walking through it is a joyful experience.

🍊 Mandarin Orange Juice from a Faucet!? “Ehime no Shokutaku 1970”

There is an urban legend in Ehime that “mandarin orange juice comes out of the faucets.” At “Ehime no Shokutaku 1970”, you can actually experience this! The store features over 20 faucets lined up, allowing you to taste and compare various types of 100% straight mandarin orange juice. Finding your favorite flavor is absolutely the best fun!

🍣 Like a Jewel Box! Inari Sushi at “Dogo Inari Yunoya”

Perfect for eating while walking is the Inari sushi from “Dogo Inari Yunoya”. Their “evolved Inari” is topped with luxurious ingredients like Uwajima sea bream and domestic beef simmered in soy sauce. It looks so gorgeous, just like a jewel! The sweet fried tofu pouch and carefully selected ingredients will fill your mouth with happiness.

♨️ The Healing Masterpiece! Dogo Onsen Honkan

Located in the center of Dogo, the Dogo Onsen Honkan is a public bathhouse that is designated as a National Important Cultural Property, yet it remains actively loved by everyone today. In July 2024, after about five and a half years of conservation and repair work, the entire building resumed operations! Please experience the historic waters in the beautifully refreshed Honkan.

Tip: Dogo Onsen Honkan is very popular. Especially on weekends and holidays, we recommend getting a numbered ticket early or making a reservation in advance!

🌳 Enjoy History and Nature! Dogo Park (Yuzuki Castle Ruins)

Located right next to the hot spring town, Dogo Park is the former site of Yuzuki Castle, which belonged to the Kono clan, the lords of Iyo province in ancient times. Designated as a national historic site, it features reconstructed samurai residences, earthen walls, and moats, allowing you to feel the romance of history.

• Seasonal Beauty: In spring, about 300 Somei Yoshino cherry trees bloom, making it one of the prefecture’s premier cherry blossom viewing spots! It is illuminated at night, offering a magical view of the night cherry blossoms.
• Panoramic Views: From the observatory on the hill in the center of the park, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Dogo townscape, Matsuyama Castle, and even the Seto Inland Sea in the distance. At dusk, you can see breathtakingly beautiful sunsets.

🏯 A Must-Visit Symbol of the City: Matsuyama Castle

No trip to Matsuyama is complete without visiting Matsuyama Castle! Perched atop the 132-meter-high Mount Katsuyama in the center of the city, it is one of Japan’s twelve original castles that have survived intact since the Edo period (1603–1867).

You can easily access the castle grounds via a scenic ropeway or a fun chairlift ride. The castle complex is vast, featuring 21 structures designated as Important Cultural Properties. The view from the top floor of the main keep (Tenshukaku) offers a stunning 360-degree panorama of Matsuyama City and the Seto Inland Sea.

✈️ How to Access Dogo Onsen

Matsuyama and Dogo Onsen are highly accessible from Japan’s major cities, making it a perfect addition to your itinerary.

From Tokyo

• By Air (Recommended): Fly from Haneda to Matsuyama Airport (approx. 1.5 hours). From Matsuyama Airport, take the Limousine Bus directly to Dogo Onsen Station (approx. 40 minutes).
• By Train: Take the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Okayama Station, then transfer to the JR Shiokaze Limited Express to JR Matsuyama Station (approx. 6.5 hours total). From JR Matsuyama Station, take the Iyotetsu Tram to Dogo Onsen Station (approx. 25 minutes).

From Osaka

• By Air: Fly from Itami Airport to Matsuyama Airport (approx. 50 minutes). Then take the Limousine Bus to Dogo Onsen (approx. 40 minutes).
• By Train (Recommended): Take the Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Okayama Station, then transfer to the JR Shiokaze Limited Express to JR Matsuyama Station (approx. 3.5 to 4 hours total). From JR Matsuyama Station, take the Iyotetsu Tram to Dogo Onsen Station (approx. 25 minutes).
• By Highway Bus: Direct highway buses operate from Osaka to Dogo Onsen (approx. 5.5 to 6 hours).

**Looking for the perfect place to stay?**

Check out our companion guide: Best Ryokans and Hotels in Dogo Onsen for International Travelers to find your ideal accommodation!