Matsuyama is a beautiful place to visit (even in the winter when it was windy and less than 10°C when I went) Matsuyama is the capital city of Ehime Prefecture on Japan’s Shikoku Island and just a ferry ride away from Hiroshima or Kure. Due to the cold we spent all our time traveling to and at Dogo Onsen.
Now Dogo is special because it has a lot of history and background. Many people believe that the water has been healing people for over 3,000 years. There is even a legend that a god was healed by the water here! I mean you can't get more special than god healing water, well I guess you could do a 180° and go to Beppu and tempt your fate at one of the 7 Demon Hell Onsen's... But I don't recommend dipping your toes in that water.
Dogo Onsen itself is also a Ryokan, Japan Inn, if you want to stay there. If not at Dogo than there are plenty of other Hotels and Ryokans within walking distance. But if you are like me and only going for a day trip then you have a few bathing options. But do be prepared for the website to lack almost all important information, such as the prices.
Dogo seemed to have 5 types of onsen service you can choose from depending on what you want.
Access to the Kami no Yu bath for 60 minutes. 410円
Access to the Kami no Yu bath and the Kami no Yu rest area for 60 minutes, a rental yukata, tea and senbe(煎餅＝rice crackers）. 840円
Access to the Tama no Yu bath, Kami no Yu bath and Tama no Yu rest area for 60 minutes, a rental yukata and towel, tea and senbe, tour of the Emperor’s bathing facilities. 1250 円
Access to a private tatami room for 80 minutes, access to the Tama no Yu bath and Kami no Yu bath, rental yukata and towel, tea and Dango( 団子=is a Japanese dumpling and sweet made from mochiko), tour of the Emperor’s bathing facilities. 1550 円
*Kami no Yu is the larger public bath and Tama no Yu is a smaller, more noble and less crowded bath
*Do keep in mind unlike most other onsen you need to bring you own things to this onsen (Towels, soap, etc.)
The price board and where you can buy your bath ticket(s)
Now I wanted and was totally willing to go for Level 4 services cause heck it only costs $15.00! But my friends just rolled her eyes and decided to be a butt-head (Yes, you heard me a butt-head) and went with Level 1...
Now supposedly Dogo onsen was the inspiration for the bath house found in the Animated film Spirited Away. Now I say "supposedly" because I'm not 100% sure and some people say it is, others say it isn't. Even my coworkers disagreed about it. But that hasn't stopped Dogo from having a book with pictures comparing the film to their onsen!
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