Worth Dogo Onsen?

Hello,

I have tight schedule in Matsuyama, I am sure I want to walk around Dogo Onsen area ad take pictures from outside, but is it really worth going in to bath?

I mean I have been to many onsen in japan before, like Gero (Gifu), Hakone, Noboribetsu (Hokkaido), Beppu (Oita), Tamatsukuri (Shimane).

I will be in Yamaguchi for onsen as well, would you soak in Dogo Onsen if you are short on time? Is it that impressive?

Thanks

The Honkan is not just another hot spring facility; it is a unique and historic bathhouse. And they just finished an extensive renovation of the inside. If you're short on time you probably won't be able to appreciate it, though. Note that they are apparently still working on the outside so you might not get the photos you want. You might want to investigate this a little more thoroughly. Maybe you should just skip Dogo Onsen altogether.

As mentioned, unfortunately, the classic Dogo Onsen facility is partially under renovation. But what you can do, and what I actually enjoyed myself leading friends, is to arrive at Matsuyama after a tiring journey, and visit the Dogo Onsen bath facility just to wash your stress off at the bath, just as you might take a shower after a trip. The bathing room small but is extremely classic and nice to look at while you bath.

The entrance may seem crowded, but your turn will come after killing time in the shade. You can take your time in the bath, and then cool yourself down at the lobby. Then you can visit neighboring restaurants for some great local craft beer and local cuisine.

The area itself is not exactly scenic. The most photogenic and fun part is the facility which is under renovation. But it's right at the end of a typical old-fashioned shopping arcade where you might (or might not) enjoy window shopping and souvenir buying. If you're lucky, there would be a non-profit tour guide available.

From the area, you can take a tram or taxi to your next destination.

But if you have other plans in Matsuyama, I wouldn't really say it's worth the visit keeping in mind that it's pretty much at the other end of everything else and that it's partially under renovation.

Matsuyama itself is maybe not the most interesting town to explore, so we really enjoyed Dogo onsen for souvenir shopping and just walking around. We had bath in Honkan, but probably can skip it.
As it happened - I had accidently just read Natsume Soseki's "Botchan", where all happens in Dogo. Karakuri clock tells the story.

If you just want a quick relaxing onsen dip and there is a long line at the Honkan, you could go to one of the other bathhouses. But unless you are a connoisseur and can really appreciate the specific properties of any given onsen’s water, it will probably be “just another onsen” to you. I think that the Honkan is iconic and what really makes Dogo Onsen stand out as special. If there is still a scaffolding or other major renovation works on the outside, honestly I can’t see a point in going all the way out there to take pictures. But it’s possible it will be photogenic when you get there. (They are supposed to finish by the end of 2024, and the scaffolding might be down even sooner. It might be already.)

I really enjoyed the shopping area (shotengai) there. It seemed more interesting and a bit spiffier than your average traditional shotengai. And I had a lovely lunch in one of the restaurants there (no beer; I refrain at that time of day…). But those things take time and you are short on it. In my case I was in Matsuyama on a day trip and I opted to choose Dogo Onsen over the castle as I didn’t want to try to cram too much into my day. I had a lovely, relaxing time because I didn’t try to do too much… It seems a little odd to go to Matsuyama and not go to Dogo Onsen, but I suppose some people would think it is odd to go to Matsuyama and skip the castle, since it is one of the few original ones left in Japan. It’s a matter of personal taste, I guess. (I like castles okay but sort of feel the same way about them that some people feel about onsens.)

Honestly, I did not enjoy bathing at the Dogo Onsen - too crowded.
I am glad that I went so that I can say I have been there.
That means I have no reason to return.