Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama, Japan

Dogo Onsen is a neighbourhood in the city of Matsuyama, Japan. Here are a few distinctive features of this little intersection of a busy city.

Notice that unique clock in the lower left. It is not very high but is a mighty clock that can grow in stature at the top of the hour.

You must see it in action to understand why so many people crowd around this corner. That is what the video is for.

There is a popular place to sit and wait for the top of the hour.

This corner was once a transportation destination. In 1888 Japan’s first train service connected Matsuyama with Mitsu. Soseki Natsume published a book in 1906 that told of his experiences as a teacher in 1895 and his trips to the Dogo Hot Springs on this train. The book was called “Botchan” and its fame created a nickname for these little trains that were called the “Botchan Trains”.

Imagine the differences in transportation from the times of this little train and the modern busses that are operating behind here on the right.

Thanks to Google’s satellite images, here is what the intersection looks like from above.

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