Dogo Onsen Tsubaki-no-Yu Guide 2026 | A Local Hot Spring Experience Beyond the Tourist Trail

Discover the True Face of Dogo Onsen Loved by Locals

When you hear “Dogo Onsen,” you may picture the historic Honkan or the elegant Asuka-no-Yu.

But there’s another option worth knowing: Tsubaki-no-Yu. It’s a warm, unpretentious hot spring where locals come daily.

This article introduces the charm of Tsubaki-no-Yu in a way that’s easy to understand for first-time visitors, covering everything from the building’s atmosphere and bathing facilities to how to use them and how to get there.

Dogo Onsen Tsubaki-no-Yu

Tsubaki-no-Yu is a public bathhouse at Dogo Onsen that was rebuilt in 1953 and is used daily by local residents. It shares the same hot spring source as Honkan and Asuka-no-Yu, but features simpler and more practical facilities.

No reservation is required to use Tsubaki-no-Yu.

A Proud Exterior and Simple Space Where Local Life Breathes

Rebuilt in 1953, Tsubaki-no-Yu features an elegant exterior with white walls and traditional tiled roofing. Though it serves as a community bathhouse rooted in the local area, it presents a dignified appearance befitting the historic Dogo Onsen district.

Benches are placed alongside the building, serving as spots for post-bath relaxation, meeting points, or places for locals to chat.

Inside, the space is clean and minimal, with only the essentials in place. The warmth of the wood creates a calming atmosphere where you can unwind even during a busy sightseeing day.

The Bathing Area: Spacious, Gentle, and Welcoming

The bathing areas at Tsubaki-no-Yu offer ample space for both men and women, with high ceilings as a defining feature. Light-colored materials are used for the walls and ceilings, creating a quiet and clean impression throughout.

The bathtubs have a stone-like finish similar to those at Honkan and Asuka-no-Yu. You can stretch out and relax in the hot water.

Women’s Bath Men’s Bath

The water comes from the same Dogo Onsen source used by Honkan and Asuka-no-Yu, and flows directly from the spring. It’s colorless and transparent with a soft feel, leaving your skin silky smooth after bathing. The water is classified as simple alkaline hot spring and is said to help with nerve pain and fatigue recovery.

In one corner of the bathtub, there’s a symbolic stone structure surrounding the water spout, reflecting the culture of honoring the “god of the hot spring” as seen in Dogo Onsen Honkan. This reflects a uniquely Japanese belief and architectural style that has long revered the source of hot springs as sacred.

Haiku verses by Masaoka Shiki, a poet born in Matsuyama, are inscribed on the water spouts, with different poems for the men’s and women’s baths.

Poem inscribed on the women’s bath water spout Poem inscribed on the men’s bath water spout

How to Use Tsubaki-no-Yu and Its Facilities | Experience Local Daily Life

Tsubaki-no-Yu is a hot spring facility closely tied to local life, despite being in a tourist area. As such, only the bare essentials are provided. Cash is also needed in some situations. Keep the following points in mind for a smooth visit:

• No shampoo or body soap is provided in the bathing area (Available for purchase at the ticket machine if needed)
• Changing room lockers cost ¥10 (Non-refundable; change machine available)
• Shoe lockers and valuables lockers cost ¥100 (Refundable; cash temporarily needed)
• Hair dryers cost ¥10 for 3 minutes (coin-operated)

With these points in mind, here’s an overview of the bathing process and facilities.

Bathing Process

1. Purchase a ticket at the machine or reception: Buy a bath ticket at the ticket machine located inside. If needed, purchase amenity tickets for soap or towels at the same time.

   • The ticket machine accepts cash only
   • For cashless payment, purchase directly at the reception desk
   • Accepted brands include: VISA, Suica, PayPay, etc.

2. Store your shoes in the shoe locker: Place your shoes in the locker near the entrance and insert ¥100 to lock it (refundable).

3. Hand your ticket to the reception: Give your purchased ticket to the reception desk and receive any rental towels here.

4. Change in the changing room: Lockers cost ¥10 (non-refundable). A change machine is available if you need ¥10 coins.

5. Bathe: No soap or shampoo is provided. Purchase in advance at the ticket machine if needed.

6. Use the hair dryer: The coin-operated dryers in the changing room cost ¥10 for 3 minutes.

Facilities and Amenities

• Changing room lockers: ¥10 (non-refundable)

  • Change machine available: Can exchange ¥100 coins for ¥10 coins
• Soap products (paid):
  • Mikan (orange) soap: ¥60
  • Shampoo/Conditioner: ¥50 each
• Other amenities (paid):
  • Toothbrush: ¥30
  • T-shaped razor: ¥70
  • Long razor: ¥70
• Towels (paid):
  • Face towel rental: ¥100
  • Bath towel rental: ¥300
  • Original towel for sale: ¥650

• Hair dryer: ¥10 for 3 minutes (coin-operated)

Key Points Before Visiting Tsubaki-no-Yu

Here’s a summary of the important points:

• Towels are paid, just like at Honkan and Asuka-no-Yu
• Shampoo, conditioner, and body soap are paid, so bring your own or purchase at the ticket machine
• At least one ¥10 coin is required (for changing room locker)
  • More if using the hair dryer
• At least one ¥100 coin is required (for shoe locker)
  • More if using the valuables locker

The reception desk can break ¥100 coins, but during busy times it may take a while, causing delays just to store your shoes. It’s best to prepare ¥10 and ¥100 coins in advance.

A Warm Local Bath Where You Can Meet Dogo’s True Character

Tsubaki-no-Yu has been cherished not for tourist glamour, but as a hot spring that accompanies local daily life. There’s a warm, unpretentious atmosphere here that’s rooted in the lives of local people.

And if you surrender to that atmosphere, you’ll encounter the “true face of Dogo” that tourists often overlook.

The price is also lower compared to Honkan and Asuka-no-Yu, which is another attraction. Since it’s right next to Asuka-no-Yu, access is excellent.

For a different experience from typical sightseeing, come visit Tsubaki-no-Yu—the hot spring that locals use too.