Ehime Matsuyama City
A renowned Matsuyama spot with two source springs and some of the prefecture's largest saunas
Iyo no Tojiba Kisuke no Yu is a large day-use bathing complex in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture. It features two source springs drawn from the deepest part of the Dogo Onsen area at 1,700 m, and its emblematic Tsubaki no Yu offers a pH 9.4 alkaline, mildly radioactive simple spring delivered as a free-flowing source. The men's side includes one of the prefecture's largest 40-person capacity tower-style Fujin Sauna plus two open-air Oni saunas, Ao and Homura, and a single-digit-temperature tub-style cold plunge. The facility also offers one of western Japan's largest high-concentration carbonated springs and bedrock bathing facilities, and with its prime location in front of JR Matsuyama Station it provides a full-day tojiba (therapeutic bathing) experience.
A beauty bath fed by No.2 spring drawn from the deepest 1,700 m of the Dogo Onsen area and used as a free-flowing source. The high-alkalinity water with pH 9.4 gently dissolves old keratin as a cleansing effect, leaving skin feeling smooth after bathing. A faint sulfur scent and a silky texture let you experience authentic Dogo water. Known as a "beauty bath" and a "neuralgia bath," it is also expected to offer benefits for stroke rehabilitation, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis.
A weakly radioactive sodium chloride spring that contains relatively high levels of sodium and chloride. A film of salt forms on the skin surface, providing strong heat retention and moisturizing effects. Because the body stays warm after bathing and is less prone to cooling down, it is expected to help with cold sensitivity, neuralgia relief, and improved circulation.
A large tower-style sauna boasting one of the prefecture's highest capacities. A dedicated stove loaded with Kikuma-made sauna stones called Onimaru and Onidama produces a deep, weighty heat. The automatic löyly event "Fujin Heat Wave" runs at :00 and :30 each hour, releasing a massive burst of steam that makes the perceived temperature exceed 100°C. Self-löyly and a local tea-based tea-löyly are also possible, and staff-run aufguss events are held regularly.
A small open-air Oni sauna room in the outdoor area. True to its name, Ao focuses on blue-themed, calm atmosphere and triggers auto-löyly at :10 and :40 each hour. Unlike the larger indoor Fujin Sauna, its compact space fills quickly with steam, giving a condensed, intense heat. Access to the adjacent single-digit-temperature tub-style cold plunge and the outdoor air-cooling rest area is close by, making alternating hot-cold bathing easy to complete.
An open-air Oni sauna themed around the red Oni, designed for high temperatures. Auto-löyly activates at :20 and :50 each hour, and the fierce heat can reach around 110°C in the small room. Used together with the Ao sauna, guests can switch between two levels of heat — about 90°C and 110°C — for a two-step thermal experience. For advanced users who prefer very high temperatures, this room serves as an extreme outdoor finishing step after the Fujin Sauna.
A dry sauna exclusive to the women's bathing area created in collaboration with Misaki Ai Farm on the Sadamisaki Peninsula. A special coating mixed with extracts from tade-ai (Japanese indigo) is hand-applied by craftsmen to each bench made of domestic hinoki cypress, gently releasing the calming effects of indigo from the wood grain into the room. The walls and lighting are also imbued with indigo tones, creating a space designed to soothe the senses.
A low-temperature, high-humidity mist sauna in the women's bath. Fine mist gently envelops the whole body, minimizing skin irritation and making it easy to stay for extended periods. It is suitable for those who dislike high-temperature saunas or who want to finish their session by conditioning the skin. The mist sauna is expected to provide skin-beautifying effects and potential support for weight-loss efforts, functioning as part of a careful bathing routine combined with the hot springs.
The facility's main cold spring. Its firm, refreshing chill snaps open pores closed and tightens the vascular pump action that was fully activated in the sauna. This reliably low-temperature pool is a dependable choice for those who want to cool down thoroughly and serves as a standard option for hot-cold cycles with the Fujin and Oni saunas.
A slightly warmer cold spring provided for first-time cold-plunge users or those who prefer a more gradual cool-down. It uses water from No.1 Spring, a sodium chloride spring, so it contains salt components that offer higher heat retention and help prevent chilling after bathing. At 20°C this pool feels cool while still allowing you to stay in comfortably for longer, making it approachable even for sauna beginners.
A barrel-shaped single-person plunge tub. Positioned as a finisher for the Oni sauna route, it offers near-single-digit ultra-cold water to complete the session. After heating to extremes in the sauna, you can immerse briefly and experience an intense, sharp cold sensation across the whole body for a dynamic cooling effect.
Saturday、Sunday、Holiday
Visited by the Editor-in-Chief
The Editor-in-Chief visited in person in August 2025
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