The Dogo Onsen Station building is one of the first things most travelers’ will see when arriving at the Dogo area. Considered the gateway to Dogo Onsen, it is a Western-style building, which still retains a strong trace of the Meiji period.
Matsuyama is a great place to experience the Meiji era modernizing vibes, and stepping out onto the platform at the Dogo Onsen station gives you a glimpse into that other world.
Inside The Dogo Onsen Station
There is currently a Starbucks coffee shop located inside the building, and on level 2, the interior is austere but tasteful and seemingly somewhat true to its original form. If you squint and ignore the odd selfie snappers, you may just be able to imagine yourself at the turn of the 19th century.
Watch The Botcha Train Shunting Next To Dogo Station
The Botchan train also uses the station, and if you are lucky, you may be able to see the interest shunting procedure where the Botchan train lifts up and is swung around to ensure the engine is facing forwards for the return trip.
Botchan Clock
Just over the road from Dogo station, it’s hard not to notice a large wooden clock sitting on a stone base. This Is the Botchan Karakuri Clock. On the hour (or half-hour during busy weekends and holidays), it lifts up, expands, and puts on a performance based on the character in Soseki’s famous novel Botchan.
Dogo Foot Spa
Next to the Botchan Clock is a free foot spa. Its water is from the same source as the famous main Dogo onsen bathhouse. If you don’t have a towel you can pick up a small hand towel (or should we call it a foot towel) from a number of shops in the main walkway. There’s a place on the left about mid-way up that had a selection of the famous Imabari towels at reasonable prices.
Gogo Onsen Tourist Information Centre
The tourist information center sits on the other corner. They have a good selection of brochures on English (among other languages) and there’s usually an English speaker on hand to answer questions is share some local knowledge with you.
Addition Information
Address: 1 Dogo-machi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture
Phone number: 089-948-3323
Business hours: 8:30-19:00
Closed: Open all year round
