道後温泉街

The Dogo Onsen District is a hot spring town centered around Dogo Onsen Honkan. Dogo Onsen is said to have a history of 3,000 years and is often described as Japan’s oldest hot spring resort. Its landmark, Dogo Onsen Honkan, was built in 1894 (Meiji 27) on the site of the original spring source. The first mayor of Dogo-Yunomachi declared he would build a structure “”that won’t be imitated even after 100 years,”” resulting in the current distinctive form: a three-story wooden building topped with a drum tower. Dogo Onsen Honkan is also often said to have inspired the bathhouse building featured in the film “”Spirited Away.”” From the front of Honkan to Iyotetsu’s “”Dogo Onsen Station,”” the shopping arcade known as “”Dogo Haikara-dori”” runs in an L-shape. Along the way, visitors can find the day-use bath facility “”Dogo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu”” (opened in 2017) and the public bath “”Dogo Onsen Tsubaki no Yu.”” Near Dogo Onsen Station, the plaza “”Hojōen”” and the scenic walkway “”Dogo Onsen Sora no Sanpomichi”” offer footbaths—perfect for resting tired feet. Since 2014, art events have also been held regularly in the district, making it worth visiting during event periods. The address is Dogo-Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. Access is by Iyotetsu city tram from JR Matsuyama Station or from Matsuyama-shi Station to the final stop, Dogo Onsen.