Ehime boasts many charming day trip hot springs!

Ehime Prefecture is known as a hot spring kingdom, with a variety of unique day trip hot spring facilities scattered throughout the prefecture. Building on the long hot spring culture cultivated in Dogo Onsen, there are diverse options ranging from modern hot spring facilities to those retaining old-fashioned charm. The characteristics of Ehime's hot springs include many alkaline springs, which are expected to have skin-beautifying effects, and facilities located to enjoy the spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea. Additionally, many hot spring facilities are conveniently located for access from Matsuyama City and Imabari City, allowing visitors to easily stop by during sightseeing. With open-air baths where you can bathe while enjoying the seasonal nature, and well-equipped facilities that families can use with peace of mind, Ehime's day trip hot springs offer a comfortable and healing time for visitors.

14 Recommended Day Trip Hot Springs in Ehime

Higashi Dogo no Soratomori

Higashi Dogo no Soratomori is a day trip hot spring facility nestled in a lush natural environment in the eastern part of Matsuyama City. As its name, "Sora" (sky) and "Mori" (forest), suggests, it offers an appealing combination of open space and a healing environment surrounded by forests. The facility features multiple hot spring baths, with the open-air bath, in particular, providing a relaxing bathing experience with views of the changing seasons. The spring water is alkaline and gentle on the skin, known for its beautifying effects. It is easily accessible from Matsuyama City, making it an ideal stop during sightseeing. The facility also includes a restaurant where guests can savor local Ehime cuisine after their bath. With ample parking, it's also convenient for those traveling by car.

Honya Onsenkan

Honya Onsenkan in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, is a historic day-trip hot spring facility known as one of the "Three Hot Springs of Iyo," alongside Dogo Onsen and Nukui Onsen. It is said that Emperors Jomei and Saimei visited these springs for therapeutic bathing, adding to its venerable history. Located in a lush mountainous area, it boasts a beautiful natural environment with Honya Park and a clear stream nearby. The facility features two large public baths: "Iyo Onto," which evokes the warmth of wood, and "Ishi-yu," with a tranquil stone bath atmosphere. These baths are rotated daily between men and women and include saunas, cold baths, open-air baths, and outdoor relaxation spaces. There are also family baths with baby beds and multi-purpose rooms, making it suitable for families and groups. The dining area and spacious rest areas are also well-equipped, allowing visitors to enjoy a relaxing time with the hot springs. It is accessible by car or bus from JR Nyugawa Station and Miyoshi Station, and parking is available. Enjoy a healing moment steeped in history and nature in this clean and comfortable facility.

Oyabu Onsen

Oyabu Onsen, nestled in the mountains of Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture, is a day trip hot spring rich in history and charm, with its three-story wooden main building, built in the mid-Taisho era, designated as a tangible cultural property. Located by the Oyabu River, a tributary of the Hiji River, it offers a tranquil environment where visitors can enjoy the changing seasons and the gentle murmur of the river. The spring water is an alkaline simple hot spring, known for making skin smooth. It is also believed to be effective for rheumatism, neuralgia, skin diseases, and insomnia. Although there are only indoor baths, the large windows offer views of the ravine and green scenery, creating a feeling similar to an open-air bath. The facility also has an irori (traditional Japanese hearth) and a large hall, and local cuisine can be enjoyed by reservation. It is accessible by bus and on foot from JR Iyo-Ozu Station, and there is parking for about 10 cars. This secluded Ehime hot spring is recommended for those who wish to be healed by history and nature in a quiet mountain village.

Higashi Dogo Onsen Kumenoyu

Kumenoyu is a day trip hot spring facility with modern amenities located in Minamikumecho, Matsuyama City. As its name, meaning "healing," suggests, its concept is to provide mental and physical healing to visitors. The facility features multiple hot spring baths, each with different temperature settings, allowing visitors to choose according to their preference. The spring water is an alkaline simple hot spring, known for its high skin-beautifying effects and particularly popular among women. Especially popular is the spacious open-air bath, where guests can fully enjoy the hot spring in an expansive setting. It is easily accessible from Matsuyama City, just a 3-minute walk from Iyotetsu Kume Station and about a 25-minute drive from Matsuyama Airport. The facility also has well-equipped relaxation spaces, allowing guests to unwind even after their bath. Due to its clean and modern facilities, it is popular among a wide range of age groups. Ample parking is available, making it convenient for those traveling by car.

Yu-asobi Hiroba Mishima no Yu

Mishima no Yu is a community-based day trip hot spring facility located in Shikokuchuo City, Ehime Prefecture. It has been loved by the local Mishima residents for many years, offering a warm atmosphere and high-quality hot spring water. The spring quality is a hypotonic weak alkaline cold mineral spring, known for its high skin-beautifying effects and also referred to as a "beauty spring." Although compact, the facility is clean and features a variety of baths including a large public bath, open-air bath, aesthetic bath, sauna, and more. A distinctive feature is the ability to enjoy over 10 different types of baths, which are rotated daily between men and women. It is easily accessible from Shikokuchuo City, just about a 5-minute walk from JR Iyo-Mishima Station and about a 5-minute drive from the Mishima-Kawanoe IC. With approximately 130 parking spaces, access by car is also worry-free. The fees are reasonable, making it a popular hot spring for casual visits.

Mare Gracia Omishima

Mare Gracia Omishima, located on Omishima Island along Ehime's Shimanami Kaido, is a day-trip hot spring facility boasting a superb location with panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea. Incorporating the concept of thalassotherapy (marine therapy), it features a variety of baths utilizing the blessings of the sea, such as seawater, seaweed, and sea breezes. Visitors can enjoy the main seawater bath, open-air bath, massage bath, observation bath, and walking bath, all while healing mind and body with the beautiful sea views. Popular among cyclists and tourists, it also offers well-equipped saunas and outdoor relaxation spaces. The facility includes a restaurant serving local ingredients and a souvenir shop, perfect for dining and souvenir shopping. It is approximately a 15-minute drive from Omishima IC, with free parking available. Tourist attractions like Oyamazumi Shrine and roadside stations are nearby, making it an ideal hot spring facility to use as a base for Shimanami Kaido tourism.

Toyo Onsen Iyashi no Resort

Toyo Onsen Iyashi no Resort in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, is a day-trip hot spring facility with an open atmosphere inspired by the tropical island of Bali. The interior features palm trees and white ceramic ornaments, creating a resort-like feel. The spring water is a sodium-chloride spring, expected to be effective for poor circulation, fatigue recovery, and neuralgia. It offers a variety of baths, including large public baths, open-air baths, barrel baths, walking baths, medicinal baths, cypress baths, and saunas, as well as family baths and private baths. The lobby, rest areas, and restaurant are also well-appointed, allowing for a relaxing time. Access is excellent, approximately 15 minutes walk from JR Nyugawa Station and 2 minutes by car from Toyo-Tanbara IC. Free parking for about 90 cars is also available, accommodating groups. Open from 6 AM to 11 PM, it's easy to stop by early in the morning or after work. It's a hot spring spot where you can enjoy a healing moment with a resort feel.

Yamaidashi Ikoi no Sato Onsen

Yamaidashi Ikoi no Sato Onsen in Ainan Town, Ehime Prefecture, is a day trip hot spring facility nestled in the natural surroundings of the mountains. The spring water is a hypotonic weak alkaline cold mineral spring, praised for its fatigue recovery and skin beautifying effects. The facility features two large rock baths and two family baths, allowing families and groups to enjoy a leisurely soak. Adjacent to the hot spring are a campground, log houses, and a dog run, where visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, river play, and trekking. The restaurant offers dishes made with seasonal local ingredients and a Saturday-only buffet. Ample parking is available, ensuring easy access by car. This hot spring spot is recommended for those who wish to refresh their mind and body amidst the quietness of the mountain village and rich nature.

Morinokuni Poppo Onsen

Morinokuni Poppo Onsen in Matsuno Town, Ehime Prefecture, is a rare day trip hot spring facility directly connected to Matsumaru Station on the JR Yodo Line. It features two distinct baths: "Meiji no Yu," which evokes the warmth of wood, and "Suberidoko no Yu," a rock bath inspired by the Suberidoko Gorge and Yukiwa Falls. These baths are rotated daily between men and women, allowing visitors to enjoy both. The spring water is a hypotonic weak alkaline cold mineral spring, gentle on the skin and praised for its beautifying effects. It also includes barrel baths, saunas, and cold baths, with a free footbath located in front of the station. The wood boiler uses local thinned wood, showing consideration for the environment. It's a perfect stop during sightseeing or train travel, and also popular among locals. Parking is available, and access is immediate upon alighting at Matsumaru Station. It's a hot spring spot where you can refresh your mind and body in the rich nature of Matsuno Town.

Seapa no Yu

Seapa no Yu is a day-trip hot spring facility located along the coast in the Hojo area of Matsuyama City, offering a spectacular hot spring experience where visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Bungo Channel. As the name "Seapa" (sea panorama) suggests, the panoramic ocean view is its greatest charm, especially at sunset, when visitors can behold a breathtakingly beautiful sight. The spring water is a hypertonic strong chloride spring, containing components similar to seawater, effective for improving blood circulation and relieving fatigue. The facility features an open-air bath with panoramic ocean views, allowing guests to relax while gazing at the islands of the Bungo Channel. It is easily accessible from Matsuyama City, just a convenient 10-minute walk from JR Iyo-Hojo Station. The facility also offers extensive rest areas and dining options, allowing guests to leisurely enjoy the sea views even after their bath. With ample parking, access by car is also worry-free.

Minara Natural Hot Spring Raku

Minara Natural Hot Spring Raku in Toon City, Ehime Prefecture, is a day-trip hot spring resort boasting one of the largest outdoor baths in Western Japan. It features over 11 types of diverse baths, including cave baths, kettle baths,壺 baths (tsubo-yu), reclining baths, walking baths, and saunas, utilizing two types of hot spring sources — "Bihada no Yu" (beauty skin hot spring) and "Atatamari no Yu" (warming hot spring) — that spring from a geological layer approximately 75 million years old. Visitors can relax both mind and body in the expansive open-air baths and spacious indoor baths. For sauna lovers, löyly and salt steam saunas are also recommended. The facility is well-equipped with restaurants, aesthetic salons, karaoke, table tennis, and rest areas, allowing families and friends to enjoy a full day. A free shuttle bus operates from Matsuyama Station, it's an approximately 8-minute walk from Iyotetsu "Minara" Station, and about a 3-minute drive from Toon Smart IC, ensuring excellent access. With over 1,000 free parking spaces, it's also an ideal hot spring facility for sightseeing and leisure bases.

Niihama Onsen Panas

Niihama Onsen Panas in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture, is a day trip hot spring facility known for its tropical resort-style interior. It prides itself on a variety of baths using rare natural hot spring water gushing from 1,000 meters underground, offering large public baths, open-air baths, saunas, walking baths, and family baths. The spring water is an iron (II)-carbon dioxide-sodium-calcium-bicarbonate-chloride spring, which warms the body from the core and is effective for poor circulation and fatigue recovery. Barrier-free walking baths and family baths are also available, making it popular among a wide range of ages. The facility also has well-equipped restaurants and rest areas, allowing visitors to spend a relaxed time. With ample parking, access by car is also convenient. Open from 6 AM to 11 PM, it's a hot spring spot easily accessible during sightseeing or leisure activities.

Oku Dogo Ichi-Yu no Mori

Oku Dogo Ichi-Yu no Mori in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, is a day trip hot spring facility with a charming location enveloped in valley beauty, approximately 10 minutes by car from Dogo Onsen. The alkaline simple sulfur spring water, sourced directly from its own spring, is popular for its high skin-beautifying effects, earning it the nickname "beauty spring." The largest open-air bath in Western Japan features seven different types of baths for both men and women, allowing visitors to luxuriously enjoy free-flowing hot spring water while admiring the changing seasons. Private open-air baths and observation open-air baths are also available, perfect for families and couples. The facility also offers well-equipped saunas, rest areas, and dining options, with accommodation and buffet options available. Free parking for 300 cars is provided. It is easily accessible by local bus or shuttle bus from Matsuyama Station and the airport. It's a hot spring spot where you can escape the everyday and enjoy a luxurious healing experience amidst nature and hot springs.

Yu no Sato Komachi Onsen Shikokuya

Yu no Sato Komachi Onsen Shikokuya in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, is a day trip hot spring accommodation facility popular as a base for the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. The spring water is a weak alkaline simple hot spring, characterized by its slippery texture. It is affectionately known as a "beauty spring" by local residents and pilgrims. The spacious public bath features a variety of amenities, including an open-air bath, sauna, jet bath, cascading bath, and cold bath, perfect for relieving the fatigue of travel or daily life. At the adjacent "Rin Rin Park," visitors can enjoy Ehime's specialty products, fresh fruits, and handmade sweets, making it an ideal rest stop during a drive. It is easily accessible, approximately 2 minutes by car from the Iyo-Komatsu IC, and parking is available. It's a community-rooted hot spring facility where you can easily stop by during sightseeing, pilgrimage, or business trips.

Enjoy Ehime's Popular Day Trip Hot Springs!

We've introduced 14 charming day trip hot springs in Ehime Prefecture, and how did you find them? From historic hot springs represented by Dogo Onsen around Matsuyama City, to scenic hot springs along the Shimanami Kaido, and secluded hot springs in mountainous areas, Ehime truly boasts a diverse range of hot springs. Each hot spring facility has its unique appeal, with different spring qualities, facilities, and surrounding environments, offering new discoveries with every visit. Whether it's bathing while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea, a tranquil hot spring experience surrounded by the nature of the Shikoku Mountains, or warm interactions with locals, Ehime's hot springs provide various forms of healing for visitors. When you visit Ehime for sightseeing, be sure to include these day trip hot springs in your itinerary and immerse yourself in Ehime's unique hot spring culture. A wonderful hot spring experience that refreshes both mind and body will surely become an unforgettable memory of your Ehime trip.