Explore the culture
of Dogo Onsen
and Matsuyama City
Three Days of Hot Springs
and Cultural Discovery
Dogo and Matsuyama
: Three Millennia of Japanese Heritage
Just an hour and twenty minutes by air from Tokyo Haneda, Matsuyama sits in the historic province of Iyo, overlooking the scenic Seto Inland Sea. Here you’ll find Dogo Onsen, said to be Japan’s oldest hot spring.
Seasonal landscapes are colored by the camellia—Matsuyama’s city flower—once praised by Prince Shōtoku. The tale of the injured white heron healed by the spring waters continues to symbolize Dogo’s restorative spirit. For centuries, members of the imperial family have visited, a tradition recorded as far back as the Nihon Shoki (8th century).
Walking through the town, where layers of history remain visible in its streets and architecture, you can sense the quiet presence of Japanese culture.
Welcome to Dogo and Matsuyama—a journey into the depth of three millennia of history.
FEATURE
所蔵：松山市
所蔵：松山市
Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Through the Ages
Dogo Onsen is known for its long‑standing ties to historical figures, especially emperors and the imperial family, giving it a sense of tradition and quiet class. Praised since ancient times for its scenic hot‑spring landscape, the area grew in prominence through the 17th to 19th centuries, when public bath culture developed and many of Japan’s leading authors visited. The town still reflects the transitions of each era, leaving a rich cultural trace.
The tower of the Dogo Onsen Honkan, Shinrokaku, built in the late 19th century, continues to echo the legend of the white heron as it marks the time three times a day. The imperial bathhouse Yūshinden, with its refined architectural details, conveys the historical presence and enduring story that remain alive in this place.
Matsuyama also carries many cultural lineages: the temple associated with Emon Saburō, a legendary figure connected to the origins of the Shikoku Pilgrimage in the 9th century; the birthplace of Ippen Shōnin, who spread the dancing nembutsu in the 13th century, believed to be the root of today’s Bon Odori; Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan’s twelve surviving original keeps, built in the 17th century by Kato Yoshiaki, a loyal retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a major daimyo of the late 16th century; and the hometown of Masaoka Shiki, who shaped modern haiku and tanka in the late 19th century. These histories are preserved today in cultural sites recognized as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.
Surrounded by the gentle Seto Inland Sea, cherished by the imperial family since ancient times, and shaped by long periods of peace from the 17th century onward, Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama nurtured an environment where culture could quietly deepen.
From ancient times to the present, the history and atmosphere of these hot springs continue to offer a rich cultural experience—inviting moments of discovery, quiet reflection, and a deeper connection with oneself.
所蔵：松山市
Inquire with our
concierge here
HIGHLIGHT
DAY 1 HIGHLIGHT
Total Relaxation in Dogo Onsen, Rooted in Ancient Myth
A full day to enjoy the cultural depth of Dogo Onsen, a historic hot‑spring town long appreciated by members of the imperial family and many of Japan’s great authors.
At Funaya, a 390‑year‑old ryokan known for hosting numerous historical figures, enjoy a riverside lunch accompanied by the gentle sound of the garden stream—a landscape so beautiful it has long been cherished by the Japanese imperial family.
Experience a style of bathing found nowhere else in Japan, from the imperial bathhouse Yūshinden to the special private bath at Asuka‑no‑Yu, offering a quiet glimpse into the bathing traditions once reserved for the imperial household.
After your bath, wander through the hot‑spring town, where stone‑paved paths and cultural landmarks reflect the spirit of Japan.
Guided by layers of history, you’ll find yourself embraced by the quiet charm of Dogo—a place that has offered comfort since the age of ancient myth.
所蔵：松山市
DAY 2 HIGHLIGHT
A Tour of Matsuyama’s History and Culture Through 3 Eras
From ancient to medieval times, the Imperial family’s connection to Dōgo Onsen was closely tied to Shinto ritual.
Your journey begins at Isaniwa Shrine, where this tradition remains.
A short walk from Dōgo leads to Ishite‑ji—Temple No. 51 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage—where Kōbō Daishi Kūkai advanced the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism.
Inside the mantra cave, you pause to recall his ascetic practice and reflect quietly on what you hold dear.
Time then shifts from the feudal era into modern Japan.
From the keep of Matsuyama Castle, the Seto Inland Sea opens before you, evoking the transition from the Warring States to the peace of Edo.
You follow the stories of Authors Masaoka Shiki and Natsume Sōseki at Aishōtei—where Sōseki once lodged—you sip coffee while touching the words of those who lived through an age of change.
The journey concludes with contemporary expressions of this long cultural lineage.
The Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum, designed by the world‑renowned architect Tadao Ando, and Setouchi Retreat Aonagi by Onko Chishin embody the creative spirit of modern-day Matsuyama—expressions that have blossomed from cultural roots nurtured over more than 3,000 years.
After traveling through three eras in a single day, you look back on the stories cherished by emperors and cultural figures, held gently alongside the scenic beauty of the Seto Inland Sea.
所蔵：松山市
Into
Matsuyama
TOUR PLAN
11:00
Matsuyama Airport → Dogo Onsen
Take a bus into the city, then transfer to the retro streetcar to ease into the atmosphere of Dōgo.
所蔵：松山市
Facility Information
12:00
“Lunch at Funaya – A 390‑year‑old ryokan with Imperial heritage”
Enjoy a seasonal riverside lunch in a historic garden long associated with the Imperial family.
Facility Information
所蔵：松山市
Dogo Onsen Honkan
– A historic bathhouse known for legends passed down since ancient times.
5-6 Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime 790-0842, Japan
TEL: 089-921-5141
Dogo Onsen Honkan – Shirasagi-no-Ma / Hishō-no-Ma
A tranquil retreat embraced by the legends of Dogo, where time slows and the mind gently unwinds.
5-6 Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime 790-0842, Japan
TEL: 089-921-5141
Asuka-no-Yu – Yūshinden
– Japan’s only Imperial bathing chamber.
A rare look into the refined bathing culture once reserved for the Imperial family.
a private onsen experience at the Special Bathing Room of Asuka-no-Yu, found nowhere else in the country
19-22 Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime 790-0842, Japan
TEL: 089-932-1126
所蔵：松山市
Dai‑yon Buntojo
A place where you can feel the warmth that gives birth to Dogo, held in the palm of your hand.
7-28 Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime 790-0842, Japan
Minakuchi Brewery – Terroir sake tasting.
Sample local sake shaped by Dōgo’s climate and water.
3-23 Dogo Kitamachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime 790-0848, Japan
TEL: 089-924-6616
Dōgo Shopping Arcade
A relaxed stroll revealing local crafts and everyday charm
15-23 Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime 790-0842, Japan
Sky Promenade – Footbath and evening lights.
Enjoy a warm footbath while watching the colours of dusk settle over Dōgo.
4-30 Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime 790-0842, Japan
13:30
Walking the Hot Spring District
Facility Information
17:00
Hotel Check-in ~ Kaiseki Dinner
Unwind at a traditional ryokan and enjoy a seasonal kaiseki dinner.
Facility Information
10:00
Isaniwa Shrine
A hilltop shrine that preserves the spirit of Shinto worship in Dōgo.
Facility Information
Ishiteji
Visit Ishite-ji Temple for a hands-on Ohenro pilgrimage experience, guided by Matsuyama Haiku.
2-9-21 Ishite, Matsuyama City, Ehime 790-0852, Japan
TEL: 089-977-0870
10:00
Ishite‑ji – Temple No. 51 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage
Walk in white pilgrimage robes and follow the path of Kōbō Daishi Kūkai.
Facility Information
Matsuyama Castle
At Matsuyama Haiku, we offer the Matsuyama Castle Guided Tour.
3‑2‑46 Ōkaidō, Matsuyama, Ehime 790‑0004, Japan
TEL:089-921-4873
12:00
Exploring Matsuyama’s Castle Town
・Matsuyama Tai‑meshi Lunch – A local specialty of sea bream rice.
・Matsuyama Castle Guided Tour – A feudal‑era castle with views of the Seto Inland Sea.
Facility Information
14:30
Tracing the Sensibilities of Modern Literary Figures
Facility Information
15:30
Architecture and Contemporary Art Connecting Past and Present
Facility Information
Setouchi Retreat Aonagi by Onko Chishin
794-1 Yanadanicho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-2641, Japan
17:00
Setouchi Retreat Time ~ Kaiseki Dinner
Enjoy a peaceful evening with seasonal kaiseki cuisine at Aonagi.
12:00
– Check‑out
Wake to the serene views of the Seto Inland Sea and enjoy quiet moments with the pool, walking paths, and contemporary art. Reflect on the stories of Matsuyama’s history and culture before departing for your next destination.
[Contact Our Concierge]
・The content of your experience and budget can be arranged to your preferences.
・If you would like to discuss the specifics of a 2-night 3-day Atami bespoke tour, please feel free to reach out to our concierge via the form below.
Inquire with our
concierge here