Introduction to the Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu bathhouse facilities
Front page > Introduction to the Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu bathhouse facilities
Grand Opening on Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu is a new bathhouse constructed in the architectural style of the Asuka period.
Architectural concept
An Asuka period style bathhouse
The Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu is constructed in the architectural style of the Asuka period as a picturesque symbol of Japan’s oldest hot spring, steeped in the history and legends of visits by Prince Shōtoku and the Empress Saimei. Just like the Dōgo Onsen Honkan, the Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu is a skin-conditioning hot spring direct from the source with no reheating or added water.
The building’s roof is topped with a cupola, a symbol of Dōgo Onsen, and in the inner courtyard is a camellia grove known as Tsubaki-no-Mori, recreating a scene from the time when Prince Shōtoku visited Dōgo Onsen.
Inside are spacious large bathing rooms as well as open-air baths, which the Dōgo Onsen Honkan does not have. There is also a special private bathing room that is a replica of the Yūshinden, the bathing room reserved solely for the Imperial Family at the Dōgo Onsen Honkan. Here guests can experience bathing in a yuchō* bathing robe. The Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu also has a spacious 100 m2 public lounge and 5 private rooms where guests can enjoy Dōgo Onsen hospitality with a tea service.
* Also called a “yukatabira,” the yuchō is a believed to have been worn by persons of a high status and is the origin of today’s yukata.
Introducing a New Onsen Culture
Based on the theme of “Ancient Dōgo” and designed to depict the stories and legends of Dōgo Onsen through a collaboration of traditional Ehime handicrafts and cutting-edge art, the Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu combines revivifying onsen waters with a stimulating introduction to a new onsen culture that can only be experienced here in Dōgo, Matsuyama.
Building layout
Interior design
The entrance: Gateway to ancient Dōgo
At the entrance, shades in the image of a temple gate fashioned from air-purifying zeolite washi paper beckon guests to a warm bath to purify body and mind.
The entrance also features a carving of a work by the calligrapher Sisyu. The Japanese characters水流香 (Sui Ryū Ka) represent the fusion of an illustrious history and the new onsen culture.
At the rear of the entrance is a woodcut mural featuring a large yudama, a symbol of Dōgo Onsen, that was carved with wakugi nails, known as “the nails that last 1,000 years.” These nails were also used in rebuilding the West Pagoda and cloisters of the World Heritage-designated Yakushiji Temple in Nara. The atmosphere enables guests to truly feel they have come to Japan’s oldest hot spring, Dōgo Onsen.
At the entrances to the men’s and women’s bathing areas are hung noren curtains made of Iyo Kasuri, one of Japan’s top three kasuri fabrics.
The bathing areas: Open-air baths and large rooms surrounded by murals
In the large bathing rooms, Tobe porcelain panel wall murals like those featured in the Dōgo Onsen Honkan depict scenes from poems related to Dōgo Onsen. The mural in the men’s bathing room depicts sacred Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest peak in Iyo, from the poem Yamabe no Akahito, and the scene in the women’s bathing room is of Nikitatsu port on the Seto Inland Sea from the poem Nukata no Okimi. These porcelain panel murals surround the baths on three sides.
In the outdoor baths, Decola panel wall murals made of Ehime Prefecture’s Hime Hinoki cypress depict magnificent mountain and ocean scenes. Lanterns made using the same type of kikuma gawara roof tiles used on Matsuyama Castle and the Kyoto Imperial Palace evoke the ancient world described by Man'yōshū poems.
Special private bathing room 2: A replica of the Yūshinden
Su are bamboo mats used to make Japanese washi paper, and Iyo su are known for their especially fine weaving technique. Here in this special private bathing room replicating the Dōgo Onsen Honkan’s Yūshinden bathing room, which is reserved solely for the Imperial Family, blinds called “misu” as delicate as lace curtains create an elegant atmosphere.
The large public lounge: A spacious public lounge measuring 100m²
Hanging shades made of Ōzu handcrafted washi paper (designated a national traditional handicraft) with metal foil gilding combine the delicate softness of the washi paper with the opulent weightiness of the gilding to create a unique impression. The resulting effect produced by these hanging shades and the room lighting is an atmosphere of grace and elegance.
The lampshades of Iyo bamboo wickerwork were made using a traditional Matsuyama handicraft called “yachara ami” that legend says was introduced to Dōgo Onsen when Prince Shōtoku visited.
The private rooms: Five hideaways depicting the legends of Dōgo Onsen
Each of these five private rooms uses traditional Ehime handicrafts to depict a different story or legend of Dōgo Onsen.
Shirasagi-no-Ma
The traditional handicraft of Iyo mizuhiki paper cord is used to illustrate the legend of the injured egret that was able to take flight again after being healed by the waters of Dōgo Onsen.
Tamanoishi-no-Ma
The mural in this room makes use of the unique characteristics of the Tsutsugaki technique of paste-resist dyeing to depict the legend of the Tamanoishi.
Tsubaki-no-Ma
Based on the theme of the Tsubaki-no-Mori camellia grove, camellias are depicted on towels from Imabari, Japan’s largest towel producing area.
Karimiya-no-Ma
Members of the Imperial Court made many visits to Dōgo Onsen between the Asuka and Heian periods. This room uses a Sakurai lacquerware maki-e technique to depict scenes from that era.
Yugeta-no-Ma
Based on the theme “The Bathtubs of Iyo,” the Saijo Danjiri carving technique employing 100 different carving tools was used to depict the bustle of Dōgo Onsen described in the Tale of Genji as “all the bathtubs in Iyo.”
Usage fees
| Course | Package | Fee | Included amenities | Tea service | Business hours | Usage time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st floor bathing room | 1st floor bathing room with no lounge | Adult 600 yen Child 300 yen |
1st floor bathing room 1st floor bathing roomBody wash, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryers |
None | 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (last admission 10:30 p.m.) |
90 min. |
| 2nd floor large public lounge | 1st floor bathing room ＋ 2nd floor large public lounge |
Adult 1,250 yen Child 620 yen |
1st floor bathing room 1st floor bathing roomBody wash, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryers 2nd floor large public lounge Rental yukata |
Tea and Japanese sweets | 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (last admission 9:00 p.m.) |
90 min. |
| 2nd floor private room | 1st floor bathing room ＋ 2nd floor private room |
Adult 1,650 yen Child 820 yen |
1st floor bathing room 1st floor bathing roomBody wash, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryers 2nd floor private room Rental yukata, rental towels |
Tea and Japanese sweets | 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (last admission 9:00 p.m.) |
90 min. |
| 2nd floor special private bathing room (family-style bath) |
1st floor bathing room ＋ 2nd floor special private bathing room |
Group 2,000 yen ＋ Adult 1,650 yen 820 yen for child |
1st floor bathing room 1st floor bathing roomBody wash, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryers 2nd floor special private bathing room Rental yukata, rental towels, rental bath towels, yuchō bathing robes |
Tea and Japanese sweets | 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (last admission 8:40 p.m.) |
90 min. |
* A portion of the fees paid by visitors to Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu is used for preservation and repair of Dōgo Onsen Honkan, an Important National Cultural Asset.
Reservations for Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu’s special private bathing rooms are accepted by telephone up to 3 months in advance.
The Dōgo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu has two special private bathing rooms. One is a replica of the Yūshinden, the bathing room in the Dōgo Onsen Honkan reserved solely for the Imperial Family, and the other is a modern-style bathing room with Iyo misu blinds and ceiling murals.
* Telephone: 089-932-1126 (Dōgo Onsen Consortium)
* Business hours: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
