The Dogo Onsen Bathhouse in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, is a leading communal bathhouse in Japan.

This modern Japanese architecture is made up of four buildings of different construction periods, from the Kamino-yu building in 1894, down to the Tamano-yu building in 1899, the South building and Main Entrance building in 1924.  The Kamino-yu is equipped with the lounge which was used by Natsume Soseki, a famous novelist.  A splendid bathroom just for the Imperial family is found in the Tamano-yu.  These four buildings are designated as important cultural assets respectively.  A big dram set in the penthouse of the Kamino-yu is regularly beaten three time a day, 6:00am, 12:00pm and 6:00pm.  As to the special bathroom for the Imperial family, very fine grained granite called Aji-ishi, which was conveyed from a nearby quarry, is amply used.  Only ten of the Imperial family members have used this though, the last use was in 1952.  Dogo Onsen hot springs extend around the bathhouse, with traditional ryokans, modern hotels and shopping streets within walking distance.

Jason Hardy

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