Dōgo Onsen is said to have been discovered 3,000 years ago when a white heron cured its injured leg in its waters. In 596, an Imperial prince Shōtoku Taishi visited the area and was impressed by the hot spring. Over its long history, many people have enjoyed the waters of Dōgo, and it’s been passed down through the generations as a treasure of Matsuyama. The current Dōgo Onsen Honkan was rebuilt in 1894 and it’s the first public bathhouse to be designated an important national cultural property. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has also recognized it as Heritage of Industrial Modernization.Inside the wooden structure, the rooms, corridors and stairs form a fascinating labyrinth. This strange and mysterious building is said to have been a model for the film Spirited Away.