June
12
Tags
Spirited Away
Dogo Onsen
Fancy feeling like you’ve stepped into animated Studio Ghibli film? Try stepping straight into Spirited Away by visiting Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture. This enormous three storey 19th century wooden bathhouse was apparently the inspiration for the spooky bathhouse of otherworldly beings in Spirited Away. In this world, the hot spring waters of Dogo Onsen are renowned throughout Japan, to the point where the emperor has his own private bathing quarters here. The story behind the water’s fame contends that long ago, a white egret with a wounded leg bathed his leg in the waters and was healed. The legacy of that bird’s story can be seen in the many carved white egrets placed around and on top of this imposing building.
Official website of Dogo Onsen.
inaka biking 
claire it was thanks to you that I even knew about this place! I saw it when I had a layover here in Matsuyama and it was really freaking cool. Love the architecture. After seeing this place I had to rewatch Spirited Away 😀
Great to hear Carol 😀 The place really has an amazing presence about it.