With 7 sources to fulfill the baths, Dōgo Onsen 道後温泉 , located in the city of Matsuyama (northwest of the island of Shikoku) is one of the oldest onsen (literally hot spring in Japanese) in Japan. Although the building we see today, dates from 1894, people are already bathed in this onsen since at least the eighth century. The onsen, particularly the Dōgo Onsen, is prized for its therapeutic qualities. Indeed, two Japanese legends tell of its miraculous healing power: the legend egret (which has become the symbol of Dōgo Onsen, you can see all around the building) and the legend Tama no ishi (which gavethe nameof one of the bath of this Onsen).
This building is all wood and Meiji inspiration, it comprises 3 floors and a small secondary building where lies the Yûshinden, the former imperial bath (entrance and separate bath). There are several formulas proposed to enter this Onsen, each with different levels of service and the time is always limited from 1 hour to 80 minutes according to the price. The basic price is 410 yen for an adults (1h) and gives access to the public bath located on the first floor, the Kami no Yu (Bath of the Gods). Obviously the men bath and the one for women are separated. Then, for 840 yen (1h), you have in addition to the Kami no Yu access, the yukata rental and access to a public tatami room on the second floor for relaxation, tea and biscuits. The third formula which costs 1250 yen (1h), provides in addition to the previous formula, the access to bath Tama no Yu (Bath of the Spirits), a towel rental and a tour of Yûshinden. The Tama no Yu is a slightly more private bath whose access is located on the 2nd floor. The last formula of 1,550 yen (80 min) includes access to Tama no Yu and Kami no Yu with the towel rental and a private room on the third floor to change into Yukata and after the bath, you can enjoy with a tea and Dango Botchan in this private area which has a small balcony and a wardrobe that you can lock. We took the formula of 1550 yen each and had a beautiful small room on the 3rd floor, it was very nice and the Botchan Dango arepretty good. The Tama no Yu was almost empty when we were there (for me, in woman bath, I was alone) which was much appreciated. The fact is that at 2 p.m. on weekdays, there are not so many people. At Kami no Yu, there were some elderly in the public bath. This is a large room for the bath with while stone. At the end, we visited a a kind of museum, the imperial bath, Yûshinden where normally it is not allowed to take pictures
The Dōgo Onsen is really famous, it even inspired Hayao Miyazaki for Aburaya bathhouse in Spirited Away. So if you can, go take the time to unwind and relax yourself in Dōgo Onsen, Matsuyama!