As you all know, a good portion of anime beyond Spirited Away always has an episode dedicated to when the cast visit a hot spring for all kinds of hijinks. So if you want the ultimate experience of what it’s like to visit one, you must visit Dogo Onsen! As portrayed in anime, the hot springs are separated into two sections; one for men, and another for women. The first floor is called the Kami no Yu, and the second floor is the Tama no Yu. The Kami no Yu is more of the general bathhouse, while the Tama no Yu feels more like an exclusive suite.

The interior is very exquisite and is very hard to verbalize to someone who has no familiarity with Japanese art and/or architecture. Its traditional exterior design is notably made of wood and truly looks like it was made some five centuries ago. When you’re inside, the flooring is very modern and comfortable, and the tile art on the walls are truly captivating. If you ever wanted to know what traditional architecture looks like with modern tools and materials, then Dogo Onsen is it! As portrayed in Spirited Away, you must first shower yourself before entering the bath and the interiors in that movie pretty much reflect what you can also see in reality.

As for the bath, naturally, you’re going to have to get naked in front of strangers, family, and your friends. If you’re comfortable with that, then make the best of it! We suppose you could cover your privates with a towel, and in most instances, they won’t let you wear a bathing suit. If you’re not comfortable getting naked in front of others, then there’s still plenty to do within the surrounding area!

Before we get into what else is there to do around Dogo Onsen, we wish to point out that as of present, Dogo Onsen allows individuals with tattoos to come in. In case some of you didn’t know, a good number of hot springs in Japan don’t allow customers with tattoos due to perceptions with how they relate to gang activity. So if you have tattoos, then you should come here! Another stipulation we also wish to note is that as of present, a majority of Dogo Onsen is under renovations, so only the Kami no Yu bathhouse is available upon the drafting of this article.

Some official merchandise you can buy on site are face towels, soap, shampoo, and conditioners. Some of the tatami rooms also provide traditional sweets such as Bocchan dango. On the 2nd floor, it has a small exhibit of Dogo’s history which displays some of its old ticket stubs, and its documented history.

The surrounding area is one of the nation’s greatest tourist attractions as there are souvenir shops, hotels, and inns at almost every corner. If you don’t feel comfortable being naked in front of other people, you can just wash your feet at the foot bath just outside the hot springs. In addition to some shopping, you can also visit Dogo Park, Ishiteji Temple, and Isaniwa Shrine. Most hotels offer yukata, or thinner kimonos for summer weather, and you can enjoy taking a stroll in the surrounding area as you wear them. Last, we promise you can get some of the best massages in Dogo to give you a much relaxed experience (but these aren’t the kind with happy endings you might be looking for!).