Dogo Hot Spring main building filled with colorful art works

[Introduction]

I visited Dogo-onsen Hot Spring in Matsuyama city, Ehime prefecture in two years. “Mika Ninagawa × Dogo Onsen DOGO ART 2015”, an art festival, was held during my visit, so I was able to fully enjoy staying there. In this article, I will write about the Dogo Hot Spring main building (Dogo Onsen Honkan).

[Visit Places (series of articles)]
* Dogo Hot Spring main building (daytime) [This article]
* Dogo Hot Spring main building (light-up)
* Art works of “Mika Ninagawa × Dogo Onsen DOGO ART 2015”
* Dogo shopping arcade and Dogo gourmet
* Other spots in Dogo Onsen Hot Spring
* Dogo Onsen station and tram
* Mican room

[Travel Date]
2016.01.08-10

[Main Part]

Embark on a trip

My first journey in 2016 was to visit Dogo-onsen Hot Spring located in Matsuyama, the capital of Ehime.

As I visited there in December 2013, this was my revisit in two years. Last time, I stayed there just for a day and the weather was not good, so I had some regrets. In addition, as “Mika Ninagawa × Dogo Onsen DOGO ART 2015”, an art festival, was being held, I decided to revisit there. This time, I stayed only in Dogo-onsen Hot Spring three days and two nights.

Now, I flew from Haneda airport to Matsuyama airport.

After I arrived at Matsuyama airport, I took a limousine bus for 40 minutes to go to Dogo-onsen Hot Spring. First of all, I will visit the Dogo Hot Spring main building, the symbol and main attraction of Dogo Onsen.

What is the Dogo Hot Spring main building?

The Dogo Hot Spring main building is a communal bathhouse erected in 1894. It is also is said to have served as inspiration for the award-winning animated film “Spirited Away” by Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli.

Exterior of the Dogo Hot Spring main building

First, I will look at the exterior of the Dogo Hot Spring main building. The following photos were taken from the west side where there was an entrance.

Due to the art festival, the entrance curtain was colorful.

From the right side.

From the left side with rickshaws.

View from the north side.

Originally, there used to be an entrance there.

View from the east side.

There is a special entrance for loyal family.

View from the south side.

View from the sky trail where you can see the main building from a higher position.

Now I will move into the main building.

Interior of Dogo Onsen main bulding

There are two public baths in the Dogo Hot Spring main building, which are Kami-no-Yu (Bath of the Gods) and Tama-no-Yu (Bath of the Spirits). Four different admission plans are provided depending on depending on which baths visitors use and whether they can use lounge rooms.

Corridor on the 1st floor just after passing the entrance.

Mican, the official mascot of Ehime prefecture.

Entrance of Kami-no-Yu for men.

Entrance of Kami-no-Yu for women.

Due to the art festival, the curtain in front of the entrance was colorful.

Going up to the 2nd floor.

Lounge room on the 2nd floor.

Shoji screen was specially decorated for the art festival.

These two art works above were also part of the exhibits for the art festival.

There was a stall.

Snacks and Japanese tea provided on the 2nd floor.

On the 3rd floor.

Exhibition room.

Snacks and Japanese tea provided on the 3rd floor.

[Closing]

That’s it for the article about the Dogo Hot Spring main building. The theme of the art festival was “The oldest and the most modern” and I was able to touch on both traditional and cutting-edge atmosphere there. So, I totally agree with the theme 🙂

In addition, the Dogo Hot Spring main building was lighted up in the evening, which was so beautiful. In the next article, I will write about it. (To be continued)

［Related Link］
Dogo Hot Spring
Ninagawa Mika Official Website (English)