Dōgo Onsen Dōgo Onsen Dōgo Onsen is one of the oldest onsen hot springs in Japan, with a history stretching back over 1000 years. The springs are mentioned in the Man'yōshū (written c. 759) and, according to legend, Prince Shōtoku (574–622) used to partake of the waters. Dōgo Onsen was the favorite retreat of writer Natsume Sōseki (1867–1916) when he was working near Matsuyama as a teacher in what was at the time rural Shikoku. In Soseki's loosely autobiographical novel "Botchan", the eponymous main character is a frequent visitor to the springs, the only place he likes in the area. Dogo Onsen
Awara Onsen Awara Onsen The history of Awara Onsen is relatively short. In 1883, a farmer digging an irrigation well hit an 80-degree C saline hot spring. By the following year, several "onsen" hotels had already opened and attracted visitors for especially for long-term health care. With the opening of the Japanese Government Railways Mikuni Line in 1911 and the Keifuku Electric Railway Mikuni Ishihara Line (currently the Echizen Railway Mikuni Awara Line) in 1928, the area developed rapidly. However, the area suffered great damage in 1948 Fukui earthquake, and most of its historic buildings were lost in a great fire of