Matsuyama boasts many attractive day trip hot springs!

Matsuyama's hot spring culture boasts 3,000 years of history, developed around Dogo Onsen, famously the setting for Natsume Soseki's novel "Botchan." Within Matsuyama City, various hot spring areas such as Dogo Onsen, Okudogo, Higashidogo, and Minamidogo are scattered, each possessing distinct charm. Dogo Onsen Honkan is a valuable historical building designated as a National Important Cultural Property, also known as a model for "Spirited Away." Meanwhile, suburban areas like Okudogo and Higashidogo offer numerous facilities where visitors can relax and enjoy hot springs amidst rich natural surroundings. Matsuyama's day trip hot springs range widely from traditional bathhouses of high historical value to modern spa facilities equipped with the latest amenities, catering to the needs of diverse visitors. Each facility is sure to welcome you with Matsuyama's unique spirit of hospitality.

10 Recommended Day Trip Onsens in Matsuyama

Dogo Onsen Honkan

Dogo Onsen Honkan, the symbol of Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, is a famous hot spring with approximately 3,000 years of history as Japan's oldest hot spring and is designated as an Important Cultural Property. The wooden three-story building, constructed in 1894, boasts a retro charm and stately atmosphere. Inside, there are two spacious bathrooms: "Kami-no-Yu" and the luxurious "Rei-no-Yu." Both are free-flowing hot springs without heating or added water, allowing visitors to enjoy the skin-friendly alkaline simple spring, known as "Bijin-no-Yu" (hot spring for beautiful skin). After bathing, a unique pleasure of Honkan is relaxing in a yukata in the large hall or a private resting room. The building also features many highlights, such as the "Yushinden" imperial bath and "Botchan no Ma," associated with Natsume Soseki. Access is convenient, just a 5-minute walk from Iyo Railway "Dogo Onsen Station." From Matsuyama Station, it's about 25 minutes by train, and buses and taxis are also available. Experience the extraordinary healing at Dogo Onsen Honkan, where history and tradition breathe.

Dogo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu

Dogo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu is a new symbol of Dogo Onsen that opened in 2017. It features a beautiful exterior that revives the architectural style of the Asuka period, offering a charm different from Dogo Onsen Honkan. Inside, there are large public baths, an open-air bath on the first floor, private resting rooms, and a gallery displaying traditional Ehime crafts and historical artifacts. Beyond hot springs, cultural experiences are also possible, making it recommended for those interested in art and history. The alkaline simple hot spring, flowing directly from the source, is gentle on the skin and soothes fatigue from sightseeing and strolling. In this luxurious space that combines the latest facilities with traditional architectural beauty, you can discover new charms of Dogo Onsen. It is a noteworthy hot spring facility to visit along with the main building during your Matsuyama trip. Ideal for couples, families, and solo travelers.

Dogo Onsen Tsubaki-no-Yu

Dogo Onsen Tsubaki-no-Yu in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, is a historic public bathhouse built in 1953 (Showa 28), located in the center of the Dogo Shopping Street. It features a white-walled storehouse-style building, with spacious bathrooms equipped with granite and Dogo Onsen's characteristic hot water cauldrons, allowing visitors to enjoy the hot spring in a tranquil atmosphere. The spring quality is alkaline simple hot spring (hypotonic alkaline high-temperature spring), highly praised for its skin-beautifying effects. The appeal is that you can experience the free-flowing, unheated, and undiluted hot spring at a reasonable price. It's also recommended to enjoy a hot spring tour alongside Dogo Onsen Honkan and Asuka-no-Yu. Access is convenient from the city center, and it's easily reachable by public transport or car. Although there is no dedicated parking, paid parking is available nearby. This is a must-visit day trip hot spring spot in Matsuyama, loved by locals.

Higashi Dogo Soratomori

Higashi Dogo Soratomori in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, is a day trip hot spring facility characterized by its alkaline simple "skin beautifying" hot spring and extensive relaxation facilities. With spacious communal baths, open-air baths, seven types of bedrock baths, saunas, family baths, relaxation rooms, a cafe restaurant, and a manga corner, you can relax and spend the entire day. The hot spring, with a pH of 9.2, is renowned for its smooth texture, gentle feel on the skin, and high skin-beautifying effects. The admission fee includes towels, loungewear, and bedrock bath usage, so you can come empty-handed. Open from 5 AM to 1 AM, it's convenient for early morning visits or after work. Access is about a 20-minute drive from Matsuyama city center, a 5-minute walk from Iyotetsu Kume Station, and there are 250 free parking spaces. It's a highly recommended day trip hot spring spot in Matsuyama that balances healing and comfort.

Dogo-kan

Dogo-kan in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, is a luxurious hot spring ryokan that combines modern architectural beauty, designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa, with the traditional charm of Dogo Onsen. Day trips are also available, offering large public baths, rustic open-air baths, hot, lukewarm, jet, and reclining baths, and saunas, all using 100% Dogo Onsen water. The "Yukemuri-no-michi" (steam path) leading to the baths and the Japanese-style interior space are also appealing. The spring quality is alkaline simple hot spring, expected to relieve neuralgia, fatigue, and promote beautiful skin. Amenities for easy use even without bringing your own items, and a lounge for relaxation after bathing, are also popular. Access is convenient, a 5-minute walk from Dogo Onsen Station, and easily accessible from Matsuyama city center and Matsuyama Airport by car or limousine bus. Parking is also available. This is a recommended day trip hot spring spot in Matsuyama, offering a special hot spring experience with both prestige and comfort.

Higashi Dogo Onsen Kume-no-Yu

Higashi Dogo Onsen Kume-no-Yu is a natural hot spring facility located in the eastern part of Matsuyama City, cherished by both locals and tourists. The characteristic of this hot spring is its high-quality alkaline simple spring water, renowned for making skin smooth and beautiful. The facility is fully equipped with large public baths, open-air baths, cypress baths, bubble baths, cold baths, bedrock baths, and saunas, allowing visitors to experience authentic hot spring therapy and relaxation. Additionally, massage rooms and resting areas are attached to the facility, enhancing the relaxation effect when used in conjunction with the hot spring. The Higashi Dogo area is quieter and more peaceful than the Dogo Onsen district, making it ideal for those who wish to enjoy hot springs at a leisurely pace. It is a hot spring facility that has been loved by locals for many years as a hidden gem of Matsuyama.

Minami Dogo Onsen Teiregi-no-Yu

Minami Dogo Onsen Teiregi-no-Yu is a community-based hot spring facility located in the southern part of Matsuyama City (Nakano-cho). The charm of this hot spring is its natural hot spring water gushing from 1,200 meters underground, boasting a sodium-chloride spring quality (golden colored due to rich iron content). The facility features separate large public baths for men and women, open-air baths, saunas, walking baths, barrel baths, and cold baths. In particular, the spacious open-air bath offers views of the rich natural scenery of Southern Matsuyama. The facility is clean and comfortable, characterized by a warm atmosphere where local regulars and tourists pleasantly interact. The prices are reasonable, making it a popular hot spring for casual visits. Additionally, the adjacent resting rooms and restaurant offer light meals made with fresh local ingredients, allowing visitors to enjoy both hot springs and dining. It is a homely hot spring facility where you can experience Matsuyama's local community.

Hoshinooka Onsen Senyukan

Hoshinooka Onsen Senyukan, located in northern Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, is a day trip hot spring facility proud of its "skin-beautifying" alkaline simple hot spring water that gushes from 1,000m underground. It offers a variety of baths, including carbonated baths, medicinal baths, walking baths, electric baths, saunas, and bedrock baths, making a bath tour a major attraction. The open-air bath, surrounded by greenery, is a free-flowing hot spring where you can enjoy the panoramic seasonal scenery in a natural, open atmosphere. The facility is clean and spacious, with resting areas and a restaurant where families and friends can relax. Family baths are also available, recommended for those who want to enjoy private time. Access is convenient, about a 15-minute drive from Matsuyama IC and a 10-minute walk from Iyotetsu Fukuji Station. Free parking is also available, making it easy to stop by during sightseeing or a drive. This popular day trip hot spring spot in Matsuyama offers daily relief and refreshes both mind and body.

Himehiko Onsen

Himehiko Onsen, nestled in a residential area of Matsuyama City, is a popular day-trip hot spring facility that generously uses natural hot spring water gushing from 1000m underground. The large public bath features various baths including open-air baths, walking baths, and micro-bubble baths. The floor is covered with Matera stone, which has far-infrared effects, making it difficult to get cold after bathing and less slippery. All 20 private family baths are available 24 hours a day, allowing families and friends to enjoy private time at leisure. The spring quality is alkaline simple hot spring, with expected skin-beautifying effects, which is a welcome bonus. High-temperature saunas, steam saunas, and automatic löyly saunas are also fully equipped, perfect for fatigue recovery and refreshment. Access is excellent, about a 20-minute drive from Matsuyama IC and a 3-minute walk from "Hantaji-guchi" bus stop (Iyotetsu Bus). There are also 150 free parking spaces, making it easy to visit by car or public transport. For Matsuyama sightseeing or daily relaxation, please enjoy a blissful moment at Himehiko Onsen.

Okudogo Ichiyunomori

Okudogo Ichiyunomori, located in the Okudogo area of Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, is a day trip hot spring facility boasting one of the largest open-air baths in Western Japan. In the vast 1508m² open-air bath, you can enjoy bathing while admiring the panoramic views of seasonal nature and the valley, with 400 liters per minute of alkaline simple sulfur spring water flowing directly from the source. The spring quality is also known as "Bijin-no-Yu" (hot spring for beautiful skin), excellent for skin beautification and fatigue recovery. There are seven types of baths for both men and women, allowing you to refresh both mind and body with a bath tour. The facility also has large public baths, saunas, and private open-air baths, making it recommended for families and couples. Barrier-free rooms and a restaurant serving seasonal kaiseki cuisine are also available. Access is convenient, about a 30-minute drive from Matsuyama IC and a 40-minute bus ride from JR Matsuyama Station. 300 free parking spaces are available, so you can visit by car with peace of mind. For Matsuyama sightseeing or a moment of healing, please enjoy a luxurious hot spring experience at Okudogo Ichiyunomori.

Enjoy Matsuyama's Popular Day Trip Onsens!

Matsuyama's day trip onsens offer a variety of facilities, each with its unique charm and characteristics. From Dogo Onsen Honkan, where you can feel history and culture, to large modern facilities in Okudogo, the rich variety available to suit visitors' preferences and purposes is a major appeal of Matsuyama's hot springs. Each facility welcomes you with high-quality natural hot springs and heartwarming hospitality, undoubtedly providing relief from daily fatigue and refreshing both your mind and body. Combining a hot spring tour with sightseeing spots like Matsuyama Castle and Dogo Shopping Street will make your Matsuyama trip even more fulfilling. Matsuyama's hot springs, which show different expressions throughout the seasons, always offer new discoveries no matter how many times you visit. On your next trip to Matsuyama, be sure to find your favorite hot spring and enjoy a blissful moment.