In front of the building are "jinriki-sha," or a human-powere vehicle known abroad as a "rickshaw." Japan's first rickshaw is said to run in the Ginza streets and rickshaws swiftly spread all over Japan in the Meiji era. In the course of time, they disappeared due to Japan's motorization. However, today, they appear on the scene again for tourism. This photo shows an example. A big weeping willow tree suits the scene very well, I think.
At the top of the building is a small tower where there is a drum used for telling the people the hours of day.
Closely watching the building, you should find the sculptures of white herons, symbols of the hot spring.
According to a legend, a heron with its leg injured rested in a pond water. After a while, the heron's injured leg got recovered. Such scene was seen by humans. This led to the discovery of this hot spring.
So, heros are now being very highly respected here in Matsuyama. Really living herons are in water in the rivers or ponds near by.
Dogo Hot Spring is said to be one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan, along with Arima Hot Spring in Hyogo Prefecture and Shirahama Hot Spring in Wakayama Prefecture.
In old days Prince Shotoku visited here and then so did the two emperos of Jomei and Saimei before the Nara Period. Then even today we can find names of a mountain and a temple like 御幸山 and 御幸寺, implying such historical events.
Judging from these historical evidences, I can say that this area around Dogo have been a very attractive spot since olden times, rich in products of both the sea and the mounatin.
Recently, I can see many foreign tourists here. It is probably because the Honkan building of the hot spring was the model for the famous animation movie "Spirited Away" directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Visitors to this blog,please come to this wonderful hot spring and spend money in Matsuyama for enhancing the economy here, which will surely lead to Japan's economy's recovery as a whole sooner or later.
At the top of the building is a small tower where there is a drum used for telling the people the hours of day.
Closely watching the building, you should find the sculptures of white herons, symbols of the hot spring.
According to a legend, a heron with its leg injured rested in a pond water. After a while, the heron's injured leg got recovered. Such scene was seen by humans. This led to the discovery of this hot spring.
So, heros are now being very highly respected here in Matsuyama. Really living herons are in water in the rivers or ponds near by.
Dogo Hot Spring is said to be one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan, along with Arima Hot Spring in Hyogo Prefecture and Shirahama Hot Spring in Wakayama Prefecture.
In old days Prince Shotoku visited here and then so did the two emperos of Jomei and Saimei before the Nara Period. Then even today we can find names of a mountain and a temple like 御幸山 and 御幸寺, implying such historical events.
Judging from these historical evidences, I can say that this area around Dogo have been a very attractive spot since olden times, rich in products of both the sea and the mounatin.
Recently, I can see many foreign tourists here. It is probably because the Honkan building of the hot spring was the model for the famous animation movie "Spirited Away" directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Visitors to this blog,please come to this wonderful hot spring and spend money in Matsuyama for enhancing the economy here, which will surely lead to Japan's economy's recovery as a whole sooner or later.