Introducing a brand new onsen culture – The birth of a bathhouse with an Asuka period concept!!

Entrance ~ the way into Ancient Dōgo ~

The huge woodcut mural decorating the entrance is Dōgo Onsen’s yudama icon, carved with wakugi, traditional Japanese nails known to last thousands of years, like the ones used when rebuilding the World Heritage Yakushi-ji Temple West Tower and the corridors.
The shades in the lobby are in the image of a temple gate. A sacred atmosphere is created, using the delicate texture of washi paper. Zeolite Washi paper, known to cleanse the air invites you into the hot bath, to soothe your soul.

Bathing Room ~ Large public bath and open-air bath surrounded in murals ~

The national designated traditional craft Tobe Ware porcelain mural illustrate scenes of waka poetry about Dōgo Onsen. The wall in the men’s bathing room depicts Ishizuchi, the highest peak of Iyo. The wall in the women’s bathing room depicts the sea of Nikitatsu (the Seto Inland Sea). Here, you can soak in the world of waka. The open-air bath sets you amongst majestic mountains and open seas, with a wall of Hime Hinoki cypress. Lanterns with Kikuma-gawara roof tiles, known for their use on the Matsuyama Castle, Dōgo Onsen, and the Kyōto Imperial Palace, will take you into the world of Manyo, the 8th century anthology of Japanese poetry.

Special Bathing Room ~ Replica of the Yūshinden ~

This special bathing room is a replica of the Yūshinden, the private bathing room made exclusively for the imperial family in the main building. The lace curtain-like su characterized by Iyosu fine bamboo screens gently separates the bathing room and the resting room.

Resting Room ~ Large Resting Hall the size of 60 tatami mats ~

The land of longevity is depicted in the large resting hall, with hanging shades and lampshades illustrating Prince Shōtoku’s spiritually elegant worldview in his expression of Dōgo Onsen. Gilding Washi paper, collaboration between the national designated traditional craft Ōzu-washi and the gilding process using metal foil, is used on the hanging shades. The gentle soft expression of the washi and the presence that the gilding foil releases create a unique expression.

Private Resting Rooms
~ Five resting rooms that illustrate the legends surrounding Dōgo Onsen ~

Shirasagi-no-ma (Egret Room)

The technique of Iyo-Mizuhiki ceremonial paper cords is used to illustrate the legend of the injured egret that got well and took flight after soaking its legs in the Dōgo hot springs. Take in the design of the hot water patterns made by the elegant paper cords.

Tamanoishi-no-ma

The mural on the wall in this room is based on the Tamanoishi rock legend of Ōkuninushi-no-mikoto and Sukuna Bikona-no-mikoto. It is drawn using the Tsutsugaki paste-resist dyeing technique, filling a rice-paper cylinder with glutinous rice and paste-resistant dye, then carefully squeezing it out by hand.

Angū-no-ma (Temporary Palace)

The theme of this room is the procession of the imperial court from the Asuka to Heian periods and what it must have been like when they made their journey to Dōgo Onsen. The scenes are depicted using the Sakurai Lacquerware technique of maki-e. Notice the works of unprecedented size and new spatial expression.

Tsubaki-no-ma (Camellia Room)

This room depicts Tsubaki no Mori (Camellia Forest), said to have been an image left by Prince Shōtoku on the Inscription at Yunooka (Hot Spring Hill) when he visited Dōgo Onsen. Today, this camellia is expressed on Imabari Towels, boasting the largest towel production in Japan.

Yugeta-no-ma (Bathtub Room)

With the technique of Saijō Danjiri Sculpture using 100 different chisels and gravers, this room illustrates the hustle and bustle of Dōgo Onsen as depicted in the Tales of Genji, in the “Bathtubs of Iyo”.