Shikoku is home to the hot spring spa with the longest recorded history of human enjoyment in Japan, Dogo Onsen in Ehime. Pottery from the prehistoric Jomon period has been found near the spring, which is also mentioned in Japan’s oldest literature. There are even ancient poems about it.

The elegant Dogo Onsen Honkan is scheduled for a complete overhaul from 2019 to repair the damage of many years and to protect the structure against earthquakes. The new Asuka no Yu spa built nearby in the style of the ancient Asuka period is expected to provide bathing facilities for visitors while the Honkan is being restored. During the restoration, the Honkan will be opened as far as possible. The many hotels around Dogo also have their indoor and outdoor baths which are open to casual visitors as well as staying guests. Around Dogo, there are many free ashiyu, foot spas where you can bathe your feet. Whether in summer or winter, this little respite is wonderfully refreshing.

Another venerable hot spring resort in Kagawa Prefecture is at Kotohira, the town around Konpira Shrine to which pilgrims from all over Japan directed their steps. They’re glad to rest their weary limbs in the onsen which rises in the town. The luxurious ryokan at the foot of Mt. Zozu all have their own baths. Also in Kagawa, the island of Shodoshima has several onsen, with rotenburo open-air baths overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.

In Tokushima Prefecture, the isolated region of Iya has its hot springs in the bottoms of valleys. One of the most spectacular onsen involves a trip in a funicular railway to descend from the hotel to the rotenburo beside the river. The springs in Iya are characterised by strands of minerals suspended in the hot water that impart a super smooth feeling to your skin. Another region of Tokushima with many onsen is Naruto, with some baths offering views over the sea.

Kochi Prefecture’s onsen regions include Ashizuri, Matsubagawa and Shimanto, with baths overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the idyllic Shimanto River.

But even outside these well-known regions, onsen can be found all over Shikoku, whether in little ryokan and even guest houses, in big roadside facilities that have every imaginable kind of bath, and tucked away in the old parts of towns and cities.

If you’re keen to experience the joy of hot-spring bathing in Shikoku, let us know and we’ll be sure to include some onsen opportunities in your itinerary. And if you’d like to try onsen, but you don’t want to disrobe in public, we can point you to many places that have private baths.