Japan's oldest hot spring "Dogo Onsen" and magnificent "Matsuyama Castle"【Japan Travel 🇯🇵】

I visited "Dogo Onsen," famous for its fantastic atmosphere and long history, "Matsuyama Castle," which has vast grounds and offers a panoramic view of the city from the castle tower, and the "Ninomaru Historical Site Garden," known for its beautiful waterside and Japanese gardens. I also enjoyed Taimeshi (sea bream rice), a specialty of Ehime. 0:00 Opening 0:16 Dogo Onsen Station 1:16 Dogo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu 1:42 Dogo Onsen Main Building 3:09 Dogo Onsen Sky Walkway & Footbath 3:55 Shiroyama Park 4:57 Ninomaru Tamon-yagura Turret 5:47 Ninomaru Historical Site Garden 9:28 Matsuyama Castle 10:37 Inside Matsuyama Castle 11:52 Castle Tower 13:46 Matsuyama Station ◾️Dogo Onsen Boasting a 3,000-year history and said to be the oldest in Japan, this famous hot spring is even mentioned in the Manyoshu (the oldest collection of Japanese poetry). Its symbol, the "Dogo Onsen Main Building," is a grand wooden structure built in 1894 and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. With its labyrinth-like corridors and atmospheric bathtubs, it possesses a fantastic world view that is said to be one of the models for "Spirited Away." In July 2024, long-term preservation and repair work was completed, and it resumed full-scale operations. Nearby, there is also "Asuka-no-Yu," which recreates the architectural style of the Asuka period, and "Tsubaki-no-Yu," beloved by locals, allowing you to enjoy a hot spring tour with different charms in each. ◾️Ninomaru Historical Site Garden Located at the foot of Matsuyama Castle on the former site of the feudal lord's residence, this garden is a crystal of "Japanese" beauty where history and nature harmonize. The biggest highlights are the "Ryusui-en" and "Rinsen Garden," which faithfully recreate the floor plan of the former rooms. The layout, expressed through flowing water in the walkways and colorful flowers and plants, lets you feel the breath of life from those days as you walk through it. ◾️Matsuyama Castle Situated on the 132m summit of Mount Katsuyama, Matsuyama Castle is one of the "12 Original Castles" remaining in Japan. The current castle tower, rebuilt in 1854 (the first year of the Ansei era), has a complex structure called the "Renritsu-shiki" (connected style) that excels in offensive and defensive functions, boasting one of the finest beauties and ironclad defenses in Japan. You can easily climb to the summit by ropeway or lift, and the time spent heading toward the castle walls while enjoying an aerial walk is exceptional. Once you reach the top floor of the castle tower, a 360-degree panorama stretches out, overlooking everything from the streets of Matsuyama City to the distant islands of the Seto Inland Sea. In spring, about 200 cherry trees bloom in full glory, and the contrast with the white castle walls is breathtakingly beautiful. ◾️About Matsuyama City Matsuyama City is the capital of Ehime Prefecture, holding the largest population in Shikoku. The urban area expands around the oldest hot spring in Japan, Dogo Onsen, and Matsuyama Castle, with trams (Iyotetsu) running through the city serving as a popular mode of transport for citizens and tourists alike. History and modern convenience coexist in this city, which is very easy to sightsee and carries the scent of literature associated with Natsume Soseki and Masaoka Shiki. Thank you for watching! #japan #japantravel #japanvlog #sololeveling #hotspring #fantastic #nostalgic #japanesecastle #matsuyama #ehime