Dōgo Onsen (道後温泉) is ahot spring in the city ofMatsuyama,Ehime Prefecture on the island ofShikoku,Japan.
Dōgo Onsen is one of the oldesthot springs in Japan, with a history stretching back over 1000 years. The springs are mentioned in theMan'yōshū (written c. 759) and, according to legend,Prince Shōtoku (574–622) used to partake of the waters.
Dōgo Onsen was the favorite retreat of writerNatsume Sōseki (1867–1916) when he was working near Matsuyama as a teacher in what was at the time rural Shikoku. In Soseki's loosely autobiographical novelBotchan, the eponymous main character is a frequent visitor to the springs, the only place he likes in the area.
Dōgo Onsen is famous for the Dōgo Onsen public bathhouse, which was organized by Dōgo Yunomachi mayorIsaniwa Yukiya and built in 1894.[1] Built on three levels for maximum capacity, the baths remain popular and are usually crowded at peak times, such as in the early evening before dinner.
While Dōgo is largely engulfed in thesuburban sprawl of modern-day Matsuyama, the area around Dōgo retains the feeling of aresort town, with guests from all over the country wandering the streets inyukata robes after their bath. Dōgo is easily accessible from central Matsuyama by tram and has regular bus services to and from the air and ferry ports.
Yushinden (又新殿) is a bath room specially reserved for the Imperial Family. Yushinden is on the east side of the main building. The name is taken from a Chinese classic.[clarification needed] Yushinden was built in 1899 in the traditional architecture ofMomoyama period.
The Gyokuza no Ma is a bath room for the exclusive use of the Emperor.[2]
In Dōgo, two legends were handed down.
Long ago, many egrets (herons) lived in Dōgo. One day, an egret who injured his shin found a hot spring there. He soaked his shin every day in the hot water. Eventually theegret became well and flew away. People who watched this situation soaked in the hot spring and their health improved. The news spread that the hot spring was beneficial for one's health, and the spring became popular.[3]
A long time ago, there were two small gods,Ōkuninushi no Mikoto andSukunabikona no Mikoto.
They came fromIzumo to Dōgo. Sukunabikona no Mikoto contracted a bad illness and his days were numbered. Okuninushi no Mikoto made Sukunahikona no Mikoto soak in the hot spring. Sukunahikona no Mikoto regained his health and danced on a stone in the hot spring as proof of his vigor. At that time, his footprint was left, and there is now a stone called Tama no ishi that is exhibited at Dōgo Onsen.[2]
The present building of the Dōgo Onsen public bathhouse partially inspired the design of Yubaba's bathhouse inSpirited Away.[4]
InSid Meier's Civilization VII, the Dōgo Onsen is featured as a World Wonder that can be constructed by the player in the Modern Age.
The first floor (Kami-no-Yu) is separated into two baths for men and one for women.
The second floor (Tama-no-Yu) consists of two baths: one for men and one for women. There are four bathing plans with different rates.[5]
この件について、宮崎監督に直接質問したことがありますが、監督の答えは、「色々な温泉が入っていて特定のモデルはないけれど、道後温泉は確かに入っている」とのことでした。[I once asked Miyazaki directly about this, and he replied, "There are many different hot springs in the film, so there is no specific model, but Dogo Onsen is definitely included."]
Media related toDōgo Onsen at Wikimedia Commons
Dogo Onsen travel guide from Wikivoyage| International | |
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33°51′7″N132°47′11″E / 33.85194°N 132.78639°E /33.85194; 132.78639
