Dōgo Onsen

Overview

Dōgo Onsen is a hot spring in the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku, and is regarded as one of Japan's three ancient hot springs. Its existence has been known since antiquity and is recorded in the Man'yōshū. It is one of Ehime Prefecture's representative sightseeing destinations.

Highlights

• ●Counted among Japan's three ancient hot springs
• ●A pedigree reaching back to antiquity, noted in the Man'yōshū
• ●Known as a setting in Natsume Sōseki's novel Botchan
• ●Selected as one of the 100 Landscapes of Heisei

History

Known since ancient times, it appears in the first volume of the Man'yōshū. The surrounding area was once called Onsen District (Yu District), a place name derived from the spring itself. It was depicted in Natsume Sōseki's 1905 novel Botchan, and in August 2007 it was certified as a regional collective trademark.

Map

33.8519, 132.7864 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Head to the heart of the spa town counted among Japan's three ancient hot springs
2. 2Learn of its history as a hot spring associated with the novel Botchan
3. 3Wander the streets of the Dōgo Onsen spa district
4. 4Take in the scenery selected as one of the 100 Landscapes of Heisei

Did you know?

💡 The area was once called Onsen District (Yu District), a place name that derives from Dōgo Onsen itself.

Nearby spots