- Bathing
- Indoor
Dōgo appears in the 8th-century Nihon Shoki, and the Honkan — a three-storey wooden bathhouse with a drum tower — has served its water since 1894.
Balnevia view
Why visit
It is the oldest continuously used hot spring in Japan, in a building that is a designated Important Cultural Property.
Recommendations
Hotels nearby
Explore places to stay near Dōgo Onsen Honkan.
The water
Thermal water
- Source
- Dōgo spring
- Mineralisation
- Alkaline simple spring
- Character
- Clear, soft alkaline water drawn from multiple wells and heated for the baths.
Facilities
- Thermal pools
- Indoor pools
- Relaxation areas
History
Legend has a white heron healing its leg in the spring; the Honkan was built in 1894 and includes a bath reserved for the imperial family.
Practical information
Basic entry gives access to the Kami-no-yu bath; higher tiers include tatami rest rooms and tea. Tattoos are permitted.
Getting there
Tram from Matsuyama city centre to Dōgo Onsen terminus, then a short walk through the arcade.
Location
Related places
More thermal baths in Japan
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Sukayu/Japan
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