Dogo Onsen in Ehime Prefecture is one of many famous hot springs in Japan. The Dogo Onsen Festival is held every spring and the most highlighted part of its festival is that the key players are all women. You can see both the dignity and strength of Japanese women through the festival.
First of all, what is Dogo Onsen?
道後温泉の旅行観光ガイド
The Dogo Onsen is located in Matsuyama-shi, the capital of Japan’s Ehime Prefecture. Ehime is one of four prefectures which is composed of Shikoku island that is southwest from Tokyo. Matsuyama-shi has a long history as a castle town and its prosperity continues today as the largest city of Shikoku island.
The Dogo Onsen is a famous landmark of Matsuyama-shi since it’s early recording of one of three of Japan’s oldest hot springs and is believed to be over 3,000 years old. During this period, many royal families and noblemen/women visited the Dogo Onsen and enjoyed it’s relaxing properties. The main bathhouse was built in 1894 and still welcomes people from tourists to locals. The wooden architecture gives a historical and sophisticated impression where it is believed that the popular Japanese novel “Botchan” written by Soseki Natsume and the Hayao Miyazaki film “Spirited Away” were inspired.
The Dogo Onsen is a famous landmark of Matsuyama-shi since it’s early recording of one of three of Japan’s oldest hot springs and is believed to be over 3,000 years old. During this period, many royal families and noblemen/women visited the Dogo Onsen and enjoyed it’s relaxing properties. The main bathhouse was built in 1894 and still welcomes people from tourists to locals. The wooden architecture gives a historical and sophisticated impression where it is believed that the popular Japanese novel “Botchan” written by Soseki Natsume and the Hayao Miyazaki film “Spirited Away” were inspired.
Festival events never gets old!
The Dogo Onsen Festival is a three-day festival and starts March 19th through 21st every year. When The Dogo Onsen Festival starts, it also means the coming of spring. More than 300 staff members are involved and a large variety of events are held during these three days. All events are held either at the main bathhouse or the shopping arcade of The Dogo Onsen.
On March 19th, the festival starts with Yukito at the main bathhouse, which is the Shinto ritual and people show their appreciation to the Dogo Onsen hot spring. Iwai-Mochi-maki is also a unique event. Iwai-Mochi-maki is throwing mochi (rice cakes) to the crowd and this mochi are what keep the evil spirit away. Iwai-Mochi-maki is held every day three times during the festival. Beside these events, a brass band parade and a Dogo-Soran performance are also worth it to see. Dogo-Soran is a kind of Soran-Bushi, the most famous traditional dance in Japan. Although there is a large variety of events, you will realize all key performers are women and that makes the Dogo Onsen Festival unlike most other festivals in Japan.
On March 19th, the festival starts with Yukito at the main bathhouse, which is the Shinto ritual and people show their appreciation to the Dogo Onsen hot spring. Iwai-Mochi-maki is also a unique event. Iwai-Mochi-maki is throwing mochi (rice cakes) to the crowd and this mochi are what keep the evil spirit away. Iwai-Mochi-maki is held every day three times during the festival. Beside these events, a brass band parade and a Dogo-Soran performance are also worth it to see. Dogo-Soran is a kind of Soran-Bushi, the most famous traditional dance in Japan. Although there is a large variety of events, you will realize all key performers are women and that makes the Dogo Onsen Festival unlike most other festivals in Japan.
Onna-Mikoshi-Kakikurabe is incredible!
The most exciting event of Dogo Onsen Festival is definitely Onna-Mikoshi-Kakikurabe on March 21st which is the climax event for the festival. Mikoshi is considered as a portable shrine and it looks like a small shrine is standing on a litter where a divine spirit inhibits temporarily. People carry Mikoshi on their shoulders and usually walk throughout the local area. There is a special uniform called Happi for all people when they carry Mikoshi. It is a Japanese traditional clothing that is a wide-straight-sleeved coat and a white-short leggings. Mikoshi is usually carried by a team and they wear the same Happi and shout the same phrase together to feel a stronger bond.
Since the Mikoshi is made wooden and decorated gorgeously, it is obviously heavy. So carrying it is usually a male role. However, what makes the Dogo Onsen Festival distinctively unique is women carry Mikoshi here. 4 Mikoshi are carried by women through the Dogo Onsen shopping arcade and the main bathhouse. One lady stands on a litter and leads her own team. The more surprising thing is that they start running and hitting Mikoshi each other. Although it is dangerous and no wonder to get injured, their faces are brave, energetic and even magnificent.
Since the Mikoshi is made wooden and decorated gorgeously, it is obviously heavy. So carrying it is usually a male role. However, what makes the Dogo Onsen Festival distinctively unique is women carry Mikoshi here. 4 Mikoshi are carried by women through the Dogo Onsen shopping arcade and the main bathhouse. One lady stands on a litter and leads her own team. The more surprising thing is that they start running and hitting Mikoshi each other. Although it is dangerous and no wonder to get injured, their faces are brave, energetic and even magnificent.
You can do more things in Dogo Onsen
The Dogo Onsen Festival is held for three days but Onna-Mikoshi-Kakikurabe is only one time on the last day so don’t miss this special event. The area of Dogo Onsen is compact so you can enjoy both the festival and the sightseeing at the same time.
In the morning, taking the host spring in the main bathhouse with the locals enriches your new day. There is the observatory deck in Dogo Park and you can see Matsuyama Castle and if the weather behaves nicely the Inland Sea is also possible. In Dogo Onsen, there are more than 10 places which is called ashiyu or teyu. Ashiyu is a Japanese public bath and people can bathe their feet. Teyu is for their hands. These are hot springs and free so people easily stop by there and spend the time there in their own way. Most places don’t provide towels so make sure to bring it with you.
In the morning, taking the host spring in the main bathhouse with the locals enriches your new day. There is the observatory deck in Dogo Park and you can see Matsuyama Castle and if the weather behaves nicely the Inland Sea is also possible. In Dogo Onsen, there are more than 10 places which is called ashiyu or teyu. Ashiyu is a Japanese public bath and people can bathe their feet. Teyu is for their hands. These are hot springs and free so people easily stop by there and spend the time there in their own way. Most places don’t provide towels so make sure to bring it with you.
How to visit?
From Tokyo, it is about 90 minutes to get Matsuyama Airport. From Matsuyama Airport, take the airport limousine bus for 40 minutes and get off at Dogo Onsen Stop.
Address: Dogo-Yuno-Machi 6-8, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime 790-0842 (Dogo Onsen Ryokan Cooperative)
Tel：+81-89-943-8342
Address: Dogo-Yuno-Machi 6-8, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime 790-0842 (Dogo Onsen Ryokan Cooperative)
Tel：+81-89-943-8342
