Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu — Attraction in Matsuyama

Visited Sunday (AM) May 12, 2024

Dogo Onsen is legendary for a reason; it provides a top-tier onsen experience. I easily made reservations the day before for use of the family onsen room and public baths. The staff was friendly and accommodating; they explained everything we needed to know upon our arrival the next day and made sure we felt welcome.

When we arrived for our reservation, we were again met with kind and helpful staff who escorted us to the family room. She explained everything we had access to, provided our yukatas, and provided directions to the public baths, which are used before the private onsen experience.

The public baths are unique in that they offer a projection animation in the main room every half hour. It is very peaceful. Shampoo, conditioner, and soap are provided in plenty. In addition to the large indoor public bath, there is a smaller outdoor bath that is decorated with tasteful plants and low lighting which provide a lovely atmosphere for relaxing.

Once time is up for the public baths, it is back to the private room. Tea and sweets were served, and we were free to use the private onsen to again relax and then get ready for our day. Hair dryers and other amenities were provided in the private room, but there were also public dressing rooms with more options available if guests would prefer to use them.

Overall, it was experience of a lifetime. For someone with tattoos, it is quite difficult to find public onsens to visit, but this one is very welcoming. I felt very lucky indeed to experience the atmosphere, history, and pampering offered by the...

Went on May 13, 2024 Amazing experience! Would definitely go back. Staff was friendly and informative on helping us with the language barrier using translators. Very affordable for a private onsen. Modern, nice for groups to go if you have a family trip (mixed genders) since they allow you to wear a robe “ Yuchō “ pictured in pink in the water. After you put on the white patterned robe. It was very hard to find a tattoo friendly onsen (I don’t have one myself but a friend in my group had one, gladly this onsen allowed them!) They also allow reservations and we got in right away and we were glad we reserved as they had a fully booked sign for private room for the full day when we arrived. ¥1690 per person plus ¥2040 yen for the private onsen. (¥2200 yen per person then = only like 15 USD!) We were able to stay 90 minutes. You cannot bathe in the private onsen, after you can get shampoo and conditioner in the downstairs bathing room when you are done. When we went down to the public bath you are not supposed to wear the yuchō, but we had the space pretty much to ourselves and the rooms are separated by genders for finishing our bath, there’s also an open air bath too! Relaxing spa experience. Tea...

Welcome to the ancient Dogo.

The welcoming sculpture with calligraphy 水流香 smiling in the entrance hall emphasised the history in of this hot spring. As the background of this entrance, there is a large 3D painting the symbol of Dogo onsen (yudama) with wakugi nails (the nails that last thousands of year) that stunning your eyes, this is the big symbol of yudama (symbol of Dogo onsen) with traditional wakugi nails (the nails that last thousands of year). There is also the zeolite washi paper (ゼオライト和紙) completely build the warm atmosphere of this entrance. All these things not only warm your heart but just like time machine take you in the oldest Dogo. You can healing your body in the exclusive special bathing room with the hot water and the beautiful ceiling with the paintings. It is said that this room is the replica of the Yushinden ( Dōgo Onsen Honkan’s bathing room for the imperial family). In 2nd floor, you can find private resting room with the corridor from the wood. The wood smelling mixed with the old Japanese interior, and some how make you feels like you in the past...