Monday, September 22, 2008

Oldest Hot Spring in Japan




Dogo Onsen is the oldest hot spring in Japan. They say it is 2,000 years old but some say it is 3,000 years old. It is an interesting place to visit. The bottom photo is that of the Imperial entrance. It is to be used by the Imperial family only but visitors may enter for a tour. The inside is interesting and there is a throne for the Emperor to relax at as well as Imperial baths. It was last used by Emperor Hirohito. This building is from 1893. It is funky on the inside and it is usually crowded and busy. Inside there are narrow passages and even narrower stair cases that go floor to floor. There is a room dedicated to Soseki Natsume called Botchan's room, after his famous novel and he boarded there.