All Reviews of Dōgo Onsen Honkan

When visiting Matsuyama in Ehime, of course you have to check out the famous Dōgo Onsen Honkan! It is one of Japan’s oldest hot springs and one of Matsuyama’s most iconic attractions. The most eye-catching feature is this three-story wooden building, which has a very distinctive exterior. It becomes even more atmospheric in the evening when the lights come on, and it’s truly beautiful!

It is also said to be one of the inspirations for Yubaba’s bathhouse in Spirited Away, so it’s no wonder it feels like stepping into an animated world! It also has deep ties to Natsume Sōseki’s novel Botchan.

Inside Dōgo Onsen Honkan are baths such as Kami-no-Yu and Tama-no-Yu. You can buy a ticket to enjoy the hot springs, but quite a few people were already in line when I visited in the evening. If you want to bathe, I recommend checking the available bathing plans and wait times in advance.

Across from the main building is Dōgo Shopping Arcade, where you can browse plenty of food and souvenirs, including Ehime citrus products, orange desserts, and Imabari towels. It’s really hard to resist shopping as you walk along. Nearby, you’ll also find Dōgo Onsen Station, the Botchan Clock, the Botchan Train, footbaths, and Dogo Park, so you can visit them all together.

Even if you’re not planning to bathe, I still highly recommend coming here for a walk and some photos while taking in the atmosphere of an old Japanese hot spring town. It’s a worthwhile stop to include on a trip to Shikoku!

Dōgo Onsen Honkan is a must for a soak! This historic hot spring building makes you feel like you've traveled back in time as soon as you step inside.

For your first visit, I recommend the JPY 2,000 plan. Besides bathing in Kami-no-Yu and Tama-no-Yu, you can wear a yukata, enjoy a snack, hear about the history of Yushinden, and view cultural artifacts. But 60 minutes feels a little rushed. The two baths aren't close to each other, and you also need to allow time to change into your yukata and move between them.

The overall atmosphere is excellent. Soaking while taking in a century of history—this is the right way to experience Dōgo Onsen!

Dōgo Onsen is one of Japan's oldest hot springs, and its old wooden architecture easily brings to mind the bathhouse from Spirited Away.

The Dōgo Onsen Honkan we see today mainly took shape after a major renovation in 1894. With over a century of history, it has also become an important cultural building in Japan.

Starting in 2019, Dōgo Onsen Honkan underwent extensive preservation and restoration work and did not fully reopen until 2024. In addition to restoring the old building, the renovation added modern features such as earthquake resistance and air conditioning, making it more comfortable for visitors.

After the renovation, although the facilities are now more complete, it has lost a little of the nostalgic atmosphere unique to an old hot spring. Ticket prices have also been adjusted, with the basic bathing fee increasing from JPY 460 to JPY 700. I guess that's the price of changing times!

Dōgo Onsen Honkan has completely different charms during the day and at night. During the day, strolling around the area feels relaxed and full of Japanese atmosphere.

I went to soak my feet in the footbath near Isaniwa Shrine across the way. Sitting in the warm spring water while taking in the street views, you can also look out over the beautiful scenery of Dogo Onsen and feel the peaceful atmosphere of this historic hot spring town.

At night, after the lights come on, Dōgo Onsen Honkan feels even more dreamy and romantic. The classic building looks especially charming under the lights. It’s a must-see spot when traveling in Ehime.

Getting to soak at Dōgo Onsen Honkan, the oldest hot spring in all of Japan, was such a treat.
This century-old wooden building looks so much like the bathhouse from Spirited Away. Just standing outside, looking at it and taking photos, you can already feel the sense of history. Stepping inside feels even more like traveling through time.
This kind of traditional Japanese public bath is such a welcome convenience for travelers. It really helps wash away the fatigue of the journey.

The shopping street in front of the main building was packed with people. The “mikan juice from a tap” is definitely a fun local experience.
I naively thought the mikan juice that comes out when you turn the faucet was free 😆
The Starbucks here is connected to the station and has a retro vibe, and even the Lawson sign is designed to be low-key.
I also heard they recreated the Bocchan Clock for Taipei Songshan. I’ve never seen it in Taipei Songshan, but I’ve seen the one in Matsuyama, Ehime twice 😆

We didn't go in for the hot spring, but we took some photos with the building and explored the shopping street. It was a great way to soak in the local atmosphere!

This is a famous hot spring destination in Japan. Each bathhouse has its own unique charm. Definitely worth visiting to experience the local hot spring culture.

Even if you don't go in for a bath, you should definitely check out the beautiful architecture of the main building.

After touring the main building, there's a nice shopping street nearby that's fun to explore.