10 Best Matsuyama & Dogo Onsen Hotels & Ryokan for a Girls’ Trip to Ehime!

source:Contribution of circle chan

When you think of Ehime, the first thing that comes to mind is Dogo onsen. Dogo onsen is said to be the oldest onsen in Japan and is mentioned in the Nihon Shoki. Among them, "Dogo onsen Honkan" is a symbol of Dogo onsen, and it is designated as an important cultural property of the country as well as a public bath.

source:Contribution of Purple

Speaking of onsen Onsen, it is also famous for being the setting and model for Soseki Natsume's novel "Botchan" and Hayao Miyazaki's movie "Spirited Away". Wouldn't it be "chic" to walk around the town in a yukata with a tenugui in hand, feeling like the main character of "Botchan"?

source:Contribution of anonymity

In Matsuyama, don't miss the Botchan train that runs through the town. onsen Station is the perfect starting point for a tour of the city. Furumachi, Dogo onsen, and the train turning in front of Matsuyama Station are also must-sees. Let's take a ride to make memories of a fun trip!

This time, we will introduce hotels and ryokan that are perfect for a girls' trip to the fullest in Dogo onsen and Matsuyama. From long-established onsen ryokan to stylish hotels, there are plenty to choose from! What is the hotel you can't miss on a girls' trip? Complete amenities? Good breakfast? Atmospheric bar Nice view from your window? Here, we will introduce only memorable hotels and ryokan that are filled with the “happiness” of girls. Please use it as a reference.

About 35 minutes by car from JR Matsuyama Station. Setouchi Retreat Aonagi by Onkochishin is a luxury hotel with seven all-suite rooms designed by world-famous architect Tadao Ando. The building was renovated from a part of it that was open to the public as an art museum. It is a very quiet hotel overlooking the Setouchi Sea.

Starting with the signature room "THE AONAGI Suite" where the expansive windows of the maisonette cut out the blue of the Seto Inland Sea, the "Garden Suite" with a wooden deck and garden, and the "4 Bed Suite" with 4 beds and 2 bathrooms that are perfect for a girls' trip. and relax in a unique room.

2 pools, onsen, dining, spa, etc. are fully equipped for only 7 guest rooms. At the private spa overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, you can also experience esthetics born from the blessings of Japan's nature. You can forget the time and relax.

About 15 minutes by tram from JR Matsuyama Station. ANA Crowne Plaza Matsuyama, located right next to the Okaido tram stop, is a casual, modern city hotel. It is located in a perfect location with Shiroyama rising right in front of you and close to Dogo.

The room is decorated in dark brown with a calm atmosphere, which is sure to relax your mind and body. All 330 rooms are comfortable and functional. I am sure you will find a nice room.

For breakfast, you can enjoy a Japanese and Western buffet at the Sky Lounge on the 14th floor. In addition to bread, omelets, and salads, you can also enjoy Ehime specialties such as sea bream rice, jacoten, and mandarin orange juice. Enjoy a luxurious time savoring the wide variety of dishes while gazing at Shiroyama from the top floor.

Located about a 20-minute tram ride from JR Matsuyama Station and a 5-minute walk from the Dogo onsen tram stop, Old England Dogo Yamanote Hotel is a European-style hotel with a British-style stone pillar gate and red entrance.

The rooms are all Old England style with wood floors. The guest rooms, equipped with sofas, tables, and open windows, have an elegant European feel, and each room has a different wallpaper, so you'll enjoy it no matter how many times you visit.

There are other points to liven up your girls' trip. Relax in the large onsen bath where you can enjoy the soft waters of Dogo Onsen, or enjoy special sweets made by the pastry chef at the in-house cafe, which has a British atmosphere. You can relax with your friends inside the hotel.

About 8 minutes walk from JR Matsuyama Station. Hotel MyStays Matsuyama, located about a 1-minute walk from the Nishihoribata tram stop, is a city hotel facing the moat of Matsuyama Castle. Comfort floor completed in 2018! You can feel the power of the castle up close.

The "Comfort Triple Castle View" has a gorgeous impression with a green base. It is equipped with a coffee machine and an air purifier with a humidifier, so you're sure to have a bright and happy girl talk! You can see Matsuyama Castle from the room, so you can feel the Matsuyama atmosphere even more.

For breakfast, you can enjoy Italian, French, and a wide variety of international cuisine in a buffet style while gazing at the moat of Matsuyama Castle and the traffic of the streetcars. Enjoy free and rich continental cuisine♪

About 15 minutes by tram from JR Matsuyama Station. Dormy Inn Matsuyama, located about a 2-minute walk from the Okaido tram stop, is a chic and casual business hotel. At this hotel that opened in December 2017, you can enjoy the natural onsen "Ishite no Yu" to your heart's content.

The room has a natural and modern atmosphere. The beds are made by Simmons, so you can feel comfortable in bed. You can check the congestion status of restaurants and public baths from the TV in your room, so you won't have to wait because they are crowded even if you go there.

The natural onsen onsen "Ishide-no-Yu", which draws water from Okudogo Onsen, is a simple alkaline onsen that is effective for joint pain, stiff shoulders, and sensitivity to cold. You can drink draft beer or a soft drink for free at the after-bath spot "Sola". For breakfast, you can enjoy a Japanese and Western buffet with more than 50 kinds of local dishes.

About 15 minutes by tram from JR Matsuyama Station. Daiwa Roynet Hotel Matsuyama, located about a 1-minute walk from the Okaido tram stop, is a stylish and sophisticated business hotel. This is a friendly hotel where you can relax and enjoy the full facilities.

All 307 guest rooms have sophisticated interiors and a modern atmosphere. Enjoy a special hotel life with luxurious interiors. In addition to basic amenities, the ladies' room is equipped with face masks. This face mask is released by Yakult and is called a ``moisturizing mask with fermented liquid made from lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria,'' and it is a limited edition hotel amenity product that is not sold to the general public.

The Italian restaurant serves a buffet-style breakfast that includes both Japanese and Western dishes. With a wide selection of food, you'll be full of energy from the morning! Breakfast tickets are also available at the front desk. Enjoy a hearty meal before heading out to enjoy sightseeing in Matsuyama.

About 15 minutes by tram from JR Matsuyama Station. "Candeo Hotels Matsuyama Okaido" is a modern, urban business hotel located right next to the "Okaido" tram stop. The Japanese and modern calm design that harmonizes with the world view of Matsuyama city grabs the hearts of girls!

The guest rooms have a variety of designs, even just for the twin rooms. From the rooms on the upper floors, you can see the magnificent Matsuyama Castle right in front of you. The room is fully equipped with colorful designer sofas. You can enjoy a relaxing hotel stay that combines Japanese and modern.

The thing that will soothe your soul the most is the open-air bath "Sky Spa" on the top floor. Enjoy a blissful time in the open space while admiring the unique scenery of Matsuyama. You can also relax in the indoor bath, which has plenty of shower booths, and in the sauna.

Approximately 5 minutes walk from the Dogo onsen tram stop, approximately 15 minutes by taxi from JR Matsuyama Station. "Chaharu" is a onsen ryokan built in an elegant building located in the center of Dogo onsen Town. The interior of the hotel is a fusion of Japanese and Western styles, with plenty of greenery and a very stylish and modern atmosphere.

From Japanese-style rooms that change with the passage of time to simple Japanese-Western style rooms that combine Japanese and Western elements, all rooms are designed to give you a sense of warmth and comfort. In March 2018, Marimekko-themed rooms opened. Have you ever admired cute textiles? Being able to fully enjoy it at the hotel will make you feel very happy♪

In the bright and airy main dining room, which is flooded with light from the English garden, you can enjoy a rich breakfast buffet. The lineup includes a variety of menu items, including rice flour bread, croissants, eggs Benedict, and smoked salmon. There is also a menu that uses Ehime's branded beef, "Iyo Beef."

Approximately 9 minutes walk from the Dogo onsen tram stop. Dogo Prince Hotel is a onsen hotel with a nostalgic atmosphere that entertains guests with seasonal displays. In addition to sightseeing in Dogo, you can also enjoy a hotel stay that will make you feel ``I'm glad I stayed!'' even for a little relaxing time.

We have a variety of attractive rooms, including relaxing pure Japanese-style rooms, Asian-style Japanese-Western rooms, and rooms with open-air baths! The luxurious special room ``Kaitei'' is also equipped with a massage chair, allowing you to soothe yourself from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Not only the large bath, but also the open-air bath and the private bath are equipped with POLA aroma amenities, which are popular for their high moisturizing power and soft, gentle scent. In addition, a new face bath bar is now available! After taking a bath, you can enjoy cold tea.

Approximately 15 minutes by taxi from JR Matsuyama Station. Dogokan, located about an 8-minute walk from the Dogo onsen tram stop, is a stately and luxurious onsen ryokan located on a hill. The interior, designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa, is a space that recreates the atmosphere of a townhouse and nature.

The creative rooms, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, have a new but nostalgic atmosphere, such as Kyoto style, folk art, and hanasuki. Enjoy a superb hotel stay in a room that blends the high-class beauty of Edo with modern architecture.

Passing through the "Yukemuri no Michi", which is reminiscent of the old townscape, you will find a rustic Japanese space full of atmosphere and a famous hot spring with a scent. Boasting the oldest history in Japan, the Dogo hot springs have been enjoyed by various writers and artists, including Prince Shotoku, to your heart's content.

How was it? This time, we introduced hotels and ryokan in the Matsuyama center of Ehime and around Dogo onsen that are recommended for girls' trips. In the center, there are plenty of fashionable cafes, delicious sweets, and local gourmet foods that girls will surely like! The nostalgic townscape of Dogo onsen is sure to be a photogenic spot. ○If you are traveling to Ehime with your friends, please refer to this article to find the inn you want to stay at.