Higashi-Dogo Onsen: Day-Use Hot Spring Baths & Prices

The whole Kume district centered on Minami-Kume-machi in Matsuyama City has long been called the "Higashi-Dogo Onsen hot spring village." About 4 km east of Dogo Onsen, the water rises right beside Kume Station on the Iyotetsu Yokogawara Line, and its distinctively slippery alkaline simple spring is beloved by local people. It has none of the showiness of a tourist resort, but because it displays its mineral analysis properly and discloses how the water is handled without hiding anything, it is a place hot spring lovers can visit with confidence.

The Ansei Earthquake and the Water That Returned to Dogo

The waters of Higashi-Dogo come with a clearly recorded origin story. During the Ansei era, when a great earthquake struck the land of Iyo, hot water is said to have gushed from the precincts of Jodo-ji, the 49th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, and to have poured down the stone steps like a waterfall. Around the same time the water at Dogo Onsen stopped, and the people of Dogo formed lines to make a hundred pilgrimages to Jodo-ji, praying that the water be returned to Dogo. And so the water went back to Dogo as before — the hot springs of the Kume district draw on the source that appears in this legend. The story comes from "Kume Kyodoshi" published by the Kume Community Center and "Kume Murashi" published by the Kume Village Chronicle Publication Society, and Kume-no-Yu's official site cites these sources explicitly.

Within the precincts of Hio Hachiman Shrine, adjacent to Jodo-ji, stands Higashi-Dogo Shrine. Its enshrined deities are the three gods Amaterasu Omikami, Tsukuyomi no Kami and Ame-no-Minakanushi no Kami, and because each was likened to the light of the sun, the moon and the stars, it was once called Sanko (Three Lights) Shrine. It is said that after the war, when hot water sprang up on land belonging to the parishioners of Hio Hachiman Shrine, the shrine was worshipped together as its guardian deity and renamed Higashi-Dogo Shrine. The three names at Kume-no-Yu — "Hi no Ganban-yoku (Sun Stone Sauna)," "Tsuki no Ganban-yoku (Moon Stone Sauna)" and "Hoshi no Ganban-yoku (Star Stone Sauna)" — derive from this shrine.

Highlights

The high-pH alkaline water is said to leave the skin smooth and refined. Day-use baths and inns with open-air-bath rooms are scattered through the district. The day-use facility Kume-no-Yu offers a large bath along with an open-air pool, a cypress bath and several other tubs plus a stone sauna, while the stay-and-bathe Higashi-Dogo no Soratomori has an open-air bath in every room, so each facility has its own character. The water is also said to help ease nerve pain, stiff shoulders and joint pain.

Knowing How the Water Is Handled

According to the notices posted at Higashi-Dogo Onsen, the source names are Higashi-Dogo Onsen (No. 2, No. 3, No. 6 and No. 8 sources), and the source site is 239-4 Minami-Kume-machi, Matsuyama City, among others. The spring quality is alkaline simple spring (hypotonic, alkaline, high-temperature spring); the temperature of the No. 6 and No. 8 sources is 39.8 degrees and the pH is 9.06. The analysis was carried out by the Ehime Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science. The source of the slippery feel is this high alkalinity in the pH 9 range.

The notice required under the Hot Spring Act is also disclosed. No water is added; heating is applied to keep the bath at a comfortable temperature; a recirculating filtration system is used to protect the hot spring resource and manage hygiene; no bath additives are used; and chlorine-based agents are used to meet Ehime Prefecture's ordinance standards. In other words, it is not purely free-flowing. That said, Kume-no-Yu uses Higashi-Dogo hot spring water even in the cold-water bath tub and in the showers and taps at the washing stations, a generous way of using the water. Note that the Higashi-Dogo No. 4 source, which rises near Jodo-ji, is currently used at "Higashi-Dogo no Soratomori."

Enjoying the Seasons

It can be enjoyed year-round, but the alkaline water that keeps you warm after bathing is welcome in the cold months. Gazing up at the night sky from an open-air pool brings its own mood in each season.

Practical Information

The two main day-use facilities are "Higashi-Dogo Onsen Kume-no-Yu" and "Higashi-Dogo no Soratomori."

• Spring quality: alkaline simple spring (hypotonic, alkaline, high-temperature spring). Spring temperature 39.8 degrees, pH 9.06 (Higashi-Dogo No. 6 and No. 8 sources)
• Indications: lower back pain, neuralgia, frozen shoulder, bruises, sprains, muscle stiffness, sensitivity to cold, peripheral circulation disorders, weakened gastrointestinal function, mild hypertension, diabetes, mild hypercholesterolemia, mild asthma, hemorrhoid pain, autonomic nervous instability, sleep disorders, depressive states, recovery after illness, fatigue recovery, health promotion, insomnia and others
• Handling of the water: no water added / heating applied / recirculating filtration used / no bath additives / disinfection with chlorine-based agents
• Kume-no-Yu hours: open 22 hours a day from 11:00 to 9:00 the next morning, open all year. It closes only for the two hours from 9:00 to 11:00 for cleaning
• Kume-no-Yu fees: adults 600 yen, children (age 3 to elementary school) 200 yen. Under 3 free. Sauna use included. The morning bath from 4:00 to 9:00 is 500 yen for adults
• Kume-no-Yu baths: large bath, open-air bath, cypress bath, reclining foot bath, sauna (90 to 100 degrees) and cold-water bath (16 to 19 degrees)
• Hoshi no Ganban-yoku (Star Stone Sauna): members 400 yen / general 600 yen (90 minutes, assigned seating, includes a yukata and one bath towel). A large-bath admission ticket is also required, and it cannot be used on its own. It is for women only, but men may use it as part of a mixed-gender pair. Last reception 7:00; telephone reservations are not accepted, only at the front desk
• Tattoos: Kume-no-Yu clearly states that bathing is not permitted regardless of size. Special bathing wear that covers scars from surgery or skin grafts may be worn
• Children and diapers: Kume-no-Yu does not admit anyone wearing diapers. Infants use the baby bath provided in the bathing area. Children aged 7 and over cannot enter the bath of the opposite gender. Admission of elementary school children or younger without an adult is also not permitted
• Amenities: Kume-no-Yu provides rinse-in shampoo, body soap and hair dryers. Bring your own towel, or use the towels for sale or the towel rental set
• Payment: Kume-no-Yu accepts various credit cards, electronic money and code payments
• What Kume-no-Yu does not have: there is no lodging, no rest space where you can nap or lie down, and no family or private baths. Bringing in food and drink is also not permitted (there is a dining area inside)
• Soratomori hours: the day-use bath is open 5:00 to 25:00 (last admission 24:00), all year. The overnight stay from 25:00 to 9:00 is limited to those aged 18 and over
• Soratomori fees: adults (junior high school age and above) members 1,350 yen plus 150 yen bathing tax, general 1,750 yen plus 150 yen bathing tax. Children (elementary school age and younger) members 550 to 750 yen, general 800 to 1,000 yen; age 3 and under free
• Soratomori baths: main bath, electric bath, cold-water bath, the cypress "Mitama no Yu," a hot bath, a lukewarm bath, a reclining bath, jar baths and a tower sauna (with loyly). Family baths are by reservation through a dedicated site
• Soratomori parking: 250 spaces, free
• Access: 3 minutes on foot from Kume Station on the Iyotetsu Yokogawara Line (for Kume-no-Yu). By Iyotetsu bus, get off at "Kume Ekimae" and walk 3 minutes. By car, from Kawauchi IC on the Matsuyama Expressway take National Route 11 toward Matsuyama, turn right at the Shitsukawa intersection onto Prefectural Route 334 (the old Route 11). From Matsuyama IC take National Route 33 toward Matsuyama, turn right at the Tenzan intersection, and via the Matsuyama Nanbu Loop Line turn right at the Edamatsu intersection. In either case, turn at the Ehime Bank Kume Branch as a landmark and continue about 300 m
• On the pilgrimage route: 8 minutes on foot from Jodo-ji, the 49th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, to Kume-no-Yu
• Address: Kume-no-Yu = 325-1 Minami-Kume-machi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture (089-970-1126) / Soratomori = 3-1 Minami-Kume-machi, Matsuyama City

Which One to Choose

Kume-no-Yu, open 22 hours a day for 600 yen, is a strong option for filling time between Matsuyama sightseeing stops or in the early morning and late at night. Since it has no napping space, it is not suited to lingering and resting. Conversely, anyone who wants a leisurely stay, a family bath, or to bathe from 5:00 in the morning will end up choosing Soratomori. It is easiest to think of the price difference as directly reflecting the quality of the stay. People with tattoos cannot use Kume-no-Yu, so this needs checking in advance.

A Quick Tip

Be sure to feel the slippery quality of the water for yourself. The lasting smoothness of the skin afterward is the special charm of this spring. If you are after a private bath or stone sauna, confirming the operating status in advance is reassuring. It pairs easily with sightseeing in central Matsuyama or a visit to Dogo Onsen, and a short trip takes you toward Matsuyama Castle.

📚 Sources

The spring quality, source names, spring temperature of 39.8 degrees, pH of 9.06, the indications, and the posted content on added water, heating, recirculating filtration and disinfection were confirmed from the hot spring mineral analysis table posted on the "Higashi-Dogo's Water" page of Kume-no-Yu's official site and from the notice required under Article 14, Paragraph 1 of the Hot Spring Act (the analyzing body is the Ehime Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science). The business hours, bathing fees, morning bath, the fees and conditions for the Hoshi no Ganban-yoku, the layout of the baths, the sauna and cold-bath temperatures, the handling of tattoos and diapers, the amenities, payment methods and access come from the facility pages, FAQ and access section of the same site. The legend of the Ansei earthquake and the waters of Jodo-ji, and the origin of Higashi-Dogo Shrine, follow the quotations from "Kume Kyodoshi" and "Kume Murashi" given on the same site's "Origin of Kume-no-Yu" page. Soratomori's business hours, admission fees, bath layout and 250 parking spaces were confirmed from the shop information and hot spring pages of the official Higashi-Dogo no Soratomori site. Details are subject to change, so please check official sources before visiting.

Practical Information for Your Visit

Day-trip bathing here centres on two facilities: Higashi-Dogo Onsen Kume-no-Yu and Higashi-Dogo no Soratomori.

• Spring quality: Alkaline simple spring (hypotonic, alkaline, high-temperature spring). Spring temperature 39.8 degrees, pH 9.06 (Higashi-Dogo No. 6 and No. 8 sources)
• Indications: Lower back pain, neuralgia, frozen shoulder, bruises, sprains, muscle stiffness, sensitivity to cold, poor peripheral circulation, weakened gastrointestinal function, mild hypertension, diabetes, mild high cholesterol, mild asthma, haemorrhoid pain, autonomic nervous instability, sleep disorders, depressive states, convalescence, recovery from fatigue, general health promotion, insomnia and more
• Water treatment: No added water / heated / recirculated and filtered / no bath additives / disinfected with chlorine-based agents
• Kume-no-Yu opening hours: 11:00 to 9:00 the following morning, a 22-hour operation, open year-round. It closes only for the two hours from 9:00 to 11:00 for cleaning
• Kume-no-Yu admission: 600 yen for adults, 200 yen for children (age 3 through elementary school). Free for children under 3. Sauna use included. The morning bath from 4:00 to 9:00 is 500 yen for adults
• Kume-no-Yu baths: Large communal bath, open-air bath, hinoki cypress bath, reclining footbath, sauna (90 to 100 degrees) and cold-water bath (16 to 19 degrees)
• Hoshi-no Rock Sauna (ganbanyoku): 400 yen for members / 600 yen for non-members (90 minutes, reserved seating, includes a yukata and one bath towel). A separate ticket for the large communal bath is required, and it cannot be used on its own. It is women-only, but men may use it when visiting as a mixed-gender pair. Last admission 7:00; telephone reservations are not accepted, so book at the front desk
• Tattoos: Kume-no-Yu clearly states that bathing is not permitted with tattoos of any size. Special bathing garments worn to cover surgical scars or skin grafts are allowed
• Children and nappies: Kume-no-Yu does not admit anyone wearing a nappy. Infants are washed using the baby baths provided in the bathing area. Children aged 7 and over may not enter the bath of the opposite sex. Children of elementary school age or younger may not enter unaccompanied
• Amenities: Kume-no-Yu provides rinse-in shampoo, body soap and hairdryers. Bring your own towels, or buy a towel or use the towel rental set
• Payment: Kume-no-Yu accepts various credit cards, electronic money and QR-code payments
• What Kume-no-Yu does not have: There is no accommodation, no rest space where you can nap or lie down, and no family or private baths. Bringing in your own food and drink is not permitted (there is a dining area inside)
• Soratomori opening hours: Day-use bathing 5:00 to 25:00 (last admission 24:00), open year-round. The overnight stay from 25:00 to 9:00 is limited to those aged 18 and over
• Soratomori admission: Adults (junior high school age and above) 1,350 yen for members plus 150 yen bathing tax, or 1,750 yen for non-members plus 150 yen bathing tax. Children (elementary school age and younger) 550 to 750 yen for members and 800 to 1,000 yen for non-members; free for children aged 3 and under
• Soratomori baths: Main bath, electric bath, cold-water bath, hinoki Mitama bath, hot bath, lukewarm bath, reclining bath, tub bath and tower sauna (with loyly). The family baths must be reserved via a dedicated website
• Soratomori parking: 250 spaces, free of charge
• Access: A 3-minute walk from Kume Station on the Iyotetsu Yokogawara Line (for Kume-no-Yu). By Iyotetsu bus, get off at Kume-Ekimae and walk 3 minutes. By car from the Kawauchi IC on the Matsuyama Expressway, take National Route 11 towards Matsuyama, turn right at the Shitsukawa intersection onto Prefectural Route 334 (the old National Route 11). From the Matsuyama IC, take National Route 33 towards Matsuyama, turn right at the Tenzan intersection and go via the Matsuyama Nanbu Loop Line, then turn right at the Edamatsu intersection. In both cases, turn at the Ehime Bank Kume Branch as a landmark and continue about 300 m
• A stop along the pilgrimage: An 8-minute walk from Jodo-ji, temple No. 49 of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, to Kume-no-Yu
• Location: Kume-no-Yu = 325-1 Minamikume-machi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture (089-970-1126) / Soratomori = 3-1 Minamikume-machi, Matsuyama City

Which One to Choose

Kume-no-Yu, open 22 hours a day for 600 yen, is a strong choice for filling a gap between Matsuyama sights or for the very early morning and late night hours. Since there is no napping space, it is not suited to lingering and resting. Conversely, if you want to stay a while, use a family bath, or bathe from 5:00 in the morning, Soratomori is the one to pick. It helps to think of the price difference as reflecting the quality of the stay itself. Visitors with tattoos cannot use Kume-no-Yu, so check in advance.

Information Sources

The spring quality, source names, spring temperature of 39.8 degrees, pH 9.06, indications, and the posted details on added water, heating, recirculation and disinfection were confirmed from the hot spring analysis table published on the Kume-no-Yu official website's "The Waters of Higashi-Dogo" page and from the notice required under Article 14, Paragraph 1 of the Hot Spring Act (analysis by the Ehime Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science). Opening hours, bathing fees, the morning bath, the fees and conditions for the Hoshi-no Rock Sauna, the layout of the baths, the sauna and cold-bath temperatures, the rules on tattoos and nappies, amenities, payment methods and access are based on the facility pages, FAQ and access section of the same site. The legend of the Ansei earthquake and the waters of Jodo-ji, and the origin of Higashi-Dogo Shrine, follow the quotations from the Kume Kyodoshi and Kume Murashi local chronicles given on the same site's "Origins of Kume-no-Yu" page. Soratomori's opening hours, admission fees, bath layout and 250 parking spaces were confirmed on the store information and hot spring pages of the Higashi-Dogo no Soratomori official website. Details are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.