DÅgo Onsen Honkan
Grab your towel and go bathing! DÅgo Onsen is the oldest and most famous onsen in Japan, with a history stretching back over 3,000 years. Quite a few legends surround these waters. One says that the springs of DÅgo were discovered when, during the age of the gods, a heron placed his injured leg into hot water streaming out of a rock and was miraculously healed. Another claims that when an ill god bathed in the hot spring, the god recovered and danced for joy. The heron motif is everywhere inside the building. Tama no ishi or Yudama, the round rock from which the healing waters sprang, is the source of the symbol for DÅgo, though it looks more like a chestnut to some. According to legend, Prince Shotoku 574-622 used to partake of the waters, and in 1899, the annex Yushinden, was built so that the Imperial Family could enjoy DÅgo in privacy. The last time the Emperor visited DÅgo was in the 1970s, but the curious can peek into the rooms 15 minute tour without bathing: ¥250 adults, ¥120 children. There is also an exhibition room that features artifacts from the various stages of DÅgo's history. There are two types of baths in the honkan for both men and women.
Haiku Monument Tour
Many well-known haiku writers came from or have made pilgrimages to Matsuyama, giving it the title "Town of Haiku" 俳å¥ã®é. As you tour the city, you'll find dozens of stones engraved with timeless verses. Haiku no Ro features a number of these stones. Some of the haiku artists on display are Takahama Kyoshi é«æµ èå, Ishida HakyÅ ç³ç°æ³¢é· and Yanagihara KyokudÅ æ³å 極å .
Koto Lessons
Taught by volunteers. The koto and picks are provided, but reservations are required.
Jungle/OkudÅgo Onsen
The best kept secret when it comes to communal bathing in Matsuyama is the old timey resort Hotel OkudÅgo's onsen safari, and that's not surprising considering it's located beyond 奥's meaning in this context DÅgo. There are 26 pools in all, half in Seseragi and the others in Kawasemi; men's and women's areas are switched almost every day. It's called "Jungle Onsen" because of the steamy atmosphere. No two pools have the same concoction sulfur, alkaline, etc. or style, which makes pool-hopping fun. There are waterfall massages, saunas, temperatures ranging from scalding to freezing, and outdoor pools overlooking the forests of the Okudogo Mountains and the Ishite River.
Ehime Children's Castle
This vast playground 350,000 square meters consists of five play zones with slides, roller coasters and even workshops for cooking and crafts. Great for families and couples.
Kami no Yu 1F
The "Bath of the Gods" is a simple public style bath in a pseudo-Mediterranean setting. Towels and soap are not provided but can be cheaply rented at the front. Includes access to the Exhibition Room and Botchan's Rooms.
Zazen Meditation
Zazen, "seated meditation", is a form of Buddhist meditation used to empty the mind and simply exist in the moment. Try it out for some travel stress relief.