
The Best of Dōgo Onsen: Poets, Prostitutes, and Priests
Walking Tour
About the Tour
Before Dōgo Onsen was swallowed up by Matsuyama city, it was the oldest spa town in Japan with a history going back over a thousand years. It’s been visited by many celebrated people who come to bathe in its healing waters and leave their mark on the area. On this walking tour, I’ll show you some of Dōgo’s main sights and point out the details that most visitors miss.
We’ll meet Masaoka Shiki, Japan’s greatest modern haiku poet, who also introduced baseball to the country. We’ll also learn why Botchan, a character in a Natsume Sōseki novel, seems to pop up everywhere. We’ll visit the birthplace of Ippen, the dancing priest, and we’ll cast a glance at the prostitutes who set up shop here.
At a trot, you can finish this tour in an hour or so. But if you stop by the baths, museums and shops along the way, pause to take some photos, or adjourn to try some sake in the brewery, you could easily spend all day discovering everything that Dōgo has to offer.
Tour Producer

Rod Walters
Major Landmarks
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Dōgo Onsen Honkan
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Asuka no Yu
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Isaniwa Shrine
Directions to Starting Point
Start at the Dōgo Tourist Information Centre just inside the shopping arcade facing Dōgo Onsen Station.
Tips
Places to stop along the way
If you want to bathe in the onsen, you can stop at Dōgo Onsen Honkan, Asuka no Yu Onsen, or Tsubaki no Yu. The tour visits Minakuchi Sake Brewery, and the brewery restaurant Nikitatsu-an is a good place for lunch.
Best time of day
Any time from 9 am to 5 pm is good.
Precautions
If you're doing this tour when it's warm, be sure to drink plenty of water. Heat stroke is a real risk in Japan.
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