Matsuyama is a wonderful city. It’s slightly disconnected from the rest of Japan being on the island of Shikoku. It gets a lot fewer tourists than Japan’s main island Honshu, which means any visitors who do make the trip get to enjoy fantastic sights without massive crowds. Matsuyama is famous for its oranges, its impressive castle and Dōgo Onsen. Dōgo Onsen is not only the Emperor’s beautiful bathhouse, but it is also the inspiration of the animated film ‘Spirited Away’ by Studio Ghibli. The Famous landmark looks extremely close to the setting of the famous anime and attracts both history buffs and anime fans alike. There is even a special shop next to the onsen where you can buy merchandise from the anime as well as all the other Studio Ghibli classics. But there are onsens that can be enjoyed outside of the famous Dōgo Onsen, this is our list of the 10 best tourist-friendly onsen ryokan In Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on November 21, 2024.
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1. Setouchi Retreat Aonagi (from USD 706)
Very nice, fantastic dinner, different nightly dinner and breakfast, great wine and sake selection.
Reflects space, service, and food but expensive. Late check-out recommended.
Exceptional architecture, beautiful mountain-top location, immersive nature atmosphere.
High-quality snacks, semi-outdoor bath, exceptional Art Lounge, complimentary drink selection.
A very modern looking ryokan that has not forgotten its roots. The rooms are very western in style but there are heated onsen baths ready for guests to relax in. There is also an outdoor pool but this is for swimming rather than bathing. Many of the rooms come with their own balcony or private onsen. The chefs are very passionate about cooking traditional Japanese food. The menu goes beyond simple sushi and noodles and treats the guest to some of the lesser known Japanese dishes. They serve their food in Kaiseki style, meaning the meal comes in small courses and you get to sample lots of different flavours.
SETOUCHI RETREAT by Onko Chishin
Address: Yanaidanimachi 794−1
9.85 km (6.2 mi) from Matsuyama-jō Castle
2. Yamatoya Honten (from USD 336)
Luxurious buffet breakfast, special dinners, and free sake after bath, but some mixed reviews about dinner options
Reasonable pricing for spacious rooms and great amenities
Conveniently located next to Dogo Onsen, near shopping street and tram station
Traditional Japanese style rooms, massage chairs, public bathhouse with complimentary sake, foot spa, and Noh stage for photo ops
This ryokan is just a stones’ throw away from Matsuyama castle. The castle makes for a great day out. You can go inside it and learn about the interesting history of the area and get a great view of the entire city as it is located atop a large hill. The ryokan has a lot to offer inside the property as well. Rooms are traditional Japanese style, and there is an onsen that guests are free to use. They also serve Japanese breakfasts so that guests can experience the cultural cuisine of Ehime.
Yamatoya Honten
Address: Dougo Yunomachi 20-8
2.09 km (1.3 mi) from Matsuyama-jō Castle
3. Yamatoya Besso (from USD 267)
Superb dinner and breakfast, served at agreed schedule, and well-presented with perfect temperature.
Reasonable pricing for a traditional Japanese onsen experience.
Quiet location with close proximity to main streets and onsens, providing a serene and authentic experience.
Modern conveniences, spacious rooms, free beer on tap, and thoughtful amenities like free ice cream and water.
Yamatoya Besso is very proud of their spa and wellness center. To set themselves apart from other ryokans in the area they offer spa treatments, massages, and hot tubs to entice guests. They also keep immaculate rooms that have western beds but are styled mostly in Japanese décor. There are tatami-mat floors and other Japanese furniture. Not wanting to be out done, Yamatoya Besso also has an onsen so that guest can truly relax in their bathhouse.
Yamatoya Besso
Address: 2-27 Dogosagidanicho
1.98 km (1.3 mi) from Matsuyama-jō Castle
4. CHAHARU Hanare Dogo Yumekura (from USD 236)
Spectacular fusion Japanese/French dinner and excellent buffet breakfasts.
Slightly expensive but worth it for the location and amenities.
Great location near the station, with fantastic bath views and close to Dogo Onsen.
Spacious rooms, onsen in-room, inside and outside onsens, and stylish interior.
This is another onsen ryokan located close to Dōgo Onsen. If you don’t feel like waiting in line to bath in the Emperor’s bathhouse you can soak in a private onsen right in your room at CHAHARU Hanare Dōgo Yumekura. Because this ryokan is located right in the heart of the city it is perfect for seeing the eights of Matsuyama, such as Botchan, the small recreation of a steam train that travels along the tram lines. It is a fun thing for kids to ride and has a place in Japanese literature as a vision of a perfect childhood. The ryokan also offers traditional Japanese meals at their in-house restaurant.
CHAHARU Hanare Dogo Yumekura
Address: Dogoyuzki-cho 4-5
2.12 km (1.4 mi) from Matsuyama-jō Castle
5. Chaharu (from USD 150)
Newly refurbished and ready for guests, Chaharu is the perfect place to stay if you want to visit Dōgo Onsen. They have a deal with the onsen and send their guest there to take a bath. The ryokan has traditional Japanese-style rooms with brand new furnishings and offers a delicious selection of Ehime specialties served in their restaurant.
Chaharu
Address: 4-4 Dogo Yuzuki-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Prefecture
2.27 km (1.5 mi) from Matsuyama-jō Castle
Access: [To Matsuyama Airport] From Haneda Airport: 90 min. From Narita Airport: 105 min. From Chubu Centrair International Airport: 65 min. From Itami (Osaka International) Airport: 50 min. From Kansai International Airport: 50 min. From Fukuoka Airport: 45 min. *From Matsuyama Airport: Take an airport limousine bus to Dogo Onsen (40 min). It is 5 min on foot from there. [To Okayama Station] From Tokyo Station: 200 min on the Nozomi Shinkansen. From Kyoto Station: 65 min on the Nozomi Shinkansen. From Shin-Osaka Station: 45 min on the Nozomi Shinkansen. *From Okayama Station: Take the 'Shiokaze' limited express to Matsuyama Station (180 min). From there, take the tram (30 min) or a taxi (15 min) to Dogo Onsen. It is 5 min on foot from there. From Hiroshima Station: Take the tram to Hiroshima Port (33 min). Then take an express ferry to Matsuyama Kanko (sightseeing) Port (70 min). From there take a taxi or Iyotetsu limousine bus to Dogo Onsen. The local train is also available. It is 5 min on foot from Dogo Onsen.
6. Bettei Oborozukiyo (from USD 546)
Bettei Oborozukiyo thinks of itself as the more sophisticated onsen ryokan. The staff are always on hand to help but mostly they value privacy. Every room comes with its own private onsen. The tradition Japanese rooms are quiet and serene, making this the perfect ryokan getaway for those wanting to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of a modern stressful life.
Bettei Oborozukiyo
Address: 4-4 Dogo Sagidani-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Prefecture
2.2 km (1.4 mi) from Matsuyama-jō Castle
Access: From Matsuyama Airport: Take an Airport Limousine Shuttle Bus to the Dogo Onsen Ekimae bus stop. It is about 8 min on foot from there. By car: Exit the Matsuyama Expressway at Matsuyama IC and continue along Route 33 for about 25 min (8 km).
7. Dogo Onsen Yachiyo (from USD 288)
More like a traditional western hotel than the others, Dogo Onsen Yachiyo is still a Japanese ryokan with a western décor. If you request it you can still stay in a Japanese-style room with a futon, but most rooms are modern business hotel rooms. It’s very close to Dōgo Onsen and many guests leave the hotel and bath in the onsen every day.
Dogo Onsen Yachiyo
Address: Dogo Tako-cho 6-34
2.02 km (1.3 mi) from Matsuyama-jō Castle
8. Funya (from USD 284)
Funya ryokan onsen first opened 380 years ago. The impressively aged ryokan still serves customers today with the same skill and diligence that have made them a successful business for so many centuries. The rooms are kept in a traditional style keeping with the old ryokan’s classical atheistic. Guests can stroll through the zen gardens, enjoying the Japanese tradition of horticulture, or have a relaxing soak in the ryokan onsen. There is a foot bath onsen for those who only want to dip their toes in.
Funaya
Address: Dogoyuno-machi 1-33
2.08 km (1.3 mi) from Matsuyama-jō Castle
9. Dougo Kan Hotel (from USD 112)
One of the many businesses that capitalize off of the famous Dōgo Onsen. Dougo Kan is just a three-minute walk away from the famous sight. Guests can stay in stylish Japanese rooms, filled with traditional furniture, comfortable futons and uses woven reeds tatami mats for the floors. They encourage people to use the onsen at Dōgo Onsen but also have their own baths if people prefer the convenience. The chefs provide breakfast for guests. They serve Kaiseki-style meals all made with fresh, local ingredients. Many Japanese foods are seasonal so the menus are always changing and you get a chance to try all sorts of interesting dishes.
Dogo Kan
Address: Dogotakocho 7-26
1.99 km (1.3 mi) from Matsuyama-jō Castle
10. Umenoya (from USD 197)
This ryokan is located right in the heart of Matsuyama so you should have no trouble getting around. It is connected to the convenient tram system. You can walk to a tram stop and take the public transport system to any of the cities major sights. At Umenoya Ryokan guests get to stay in a traditional Japanese room and can unwind in the ryokan’s onsen bath. If the bathhouse isn’t enough for you, customers can also take strolls through the ryokan gardens or have a massage in the spa.
Umenoya
Address: Kamiichi 2-8-9
2.13 km (1.4 mi) from Matsuyama-jō Castle
Secluded beauty
Matsuyama is an awesome place to have a getaway in Japan. The city is big enough that you won’t get bored but small enough that you won’t get overwhelmed. It’s a comfortable part of Japan.
History
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