Name: Hotel Tsubakikan
Address: 5-32 Dogosagidani-cho, Matsuyama, Matsuyama, Matsuyama, 790-0836, Japan
Rating: 8

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Air conditioning

24-hour reception

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Hairdryer

Flat-screen TV

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Bathtub

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Vending machine

Kettle

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Free Wi-Fi

Internet

Karaoke

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Kids

Pets Not Allowed

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Matsuyama Airport

Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport

Hotel Tsubakikan

Matsuyama

This was definitely an older 'bubble economy' style hotel but the service level and amenities and rooms were high, not much lower than any Ryokan we stayed in! It's walking distance from the Dogo onsen tram station, through the shopping arcade and then quite a bit more up a slight slope (we had sent our hand luggage from the JR Matsuyama station earlier in the day for 600yen per piece - definitely recommended!) - a nice walk except it was pouring cats and dogs and we were a family of 5 sharing 2 small umbrellas. They spotted us walking over and quickly came to ask my name and prep the front desk with a guy with an umbrella and my reservation ready for check-in. The architecture and the lobby are very Taisho-Roman inspired and they quickly found appropriately sized kid yukata for my 3 kids (no mean feat since this was a 3 year old boy, and 5 and 7 year old girls) complete with cute heko obi and even zori for the kids! Very very cute. We booked a premium room (with hinoki bathtub, Japanese style) and were very impressed by the amenities: 2 separated toilet rooms, the famed hinoki bathtub with direct onsen water tap, two big tatami rooms for our 5 futon, a little sofa area with a humidifier which we used extensively, genkan with kettle, coffee machine (which makes tea as well) and fully filled fridge with mineral water, two different small packs of the famed Mikan juice and I think there might have been beer (we don't drink so I don't recall), all part of the room price. The room came with dinner at the restaurant, all in separated private rooms, full kaiseki style (I distinctly remember this being the full Ryokan treatment even though it was just a hotel). The Iyo beef shabu shabu was melt-in-your-mouth absolutely delicious, and quite a rare beef brand I don't see often exported so a must-try! They also catered very well to my young kids including cute kid chairs and there was even a tv in the private room to entertain them after they were done. The kids meal was equally gorgeous full of kid-friendly dishes. The service by the servers for dinner was impeccable. After dinner the room was turned down with very fluffy and comfy futons, and I managed to sneak off to try the female onsen bath - amazing especially the rotenburo! In the morning breakfast was a buffet which worked out well for us with kids. And they even offered us a shuttle bus ride back to the station (but I believe on their website they stated no shuttle bus to pick you up from the station). We didn't manage to do that much sightseeing in Matsuyama which was a pity because it's a lovely little town (will pick a less rainy timing next time) but all the more we will come back next time and stay here again!

Almost felt like a full service Ryokan, service was impeccable and food was amazing! We must visit again!!

To taste Japanese traditions, going to a ryokan is certainly the best way. The rooms do not have traditional beds and as a floor there is the tatami (woven rice straw rooms and wooden frames) The doors are sliding made of wooden frames and covered with opaque special paper. In the center of the room is a nice very low table, laced and chairs of appropriate size. During the absence for dinner the staff move side table and side chairs and set up the futons (mattresses of about 5 cm) laying them on the floor (tatami) and advising them to cover them with pillows and pillows.

It's a ryokan and it's worth a try.

This structure located in Dogo, two steps from the onsen, one of the oldest and most characteristic of Japan is from the commercial area of the country where you can find the gastronomic specialties of the place and handcrafted products. The large structure is equipped with a private thermal basin where you can try the onsen. Cozy and well-groomed the common spaces. The rooms are classic or typical Japanese with futon and tatami. We went to the latter to try this aspect of this country as well. The very welcoming room, in the style of Japanese houses, while the futon is professionally prepared during the dinner.

An experience to remember

On our tour of Japan we slept and ate in this fantastic hotel... humbly immersed in the Japanese atmosphere with everything Japanese... rooms furnished with TATAMI and FUTON prepared while you're having a very rich dinner... delicious and completely Japanese with kimono and wood infrared... to recommend.

That's great.

Located at the famous Dogo onsen area, and is a convenient 10-minute walk to the local markets, which sells foodstuff, local produce and many touristy knick-knacks. 

The room is huge with a nice balcony and comes with traditional Japanese tatami.  It has fantastic and thoughtful bath facilities.  Keiseki dinner provided by the hotel is good.  Onsen in the hotel is towards the small side but at least it is not crowded. If you are going to the original Dogo onsen (which is just down the street), you'd need to pay to get in.  It is what they call the "divine pool" but with horde of people dipping in it.  

Wifi is only available in the lobby but connection speed is good.  Service is typical of Japanese high standard in hospitality.  Highly recommended.

My family stayed in this hotel for a night.  The hotel is close to the major tourist attractions including the Dogo main onsen house and the Dogo park.  The reception staff could command good Chinese and English and clearly introduced the hotel and room to us.  The hotel structure seemed to be an interesting mixture of classic western and Japanese styles.  However the room was in traditional Japanese style, and was spacious and typically clean.  Sound-proof of the room was perfect, as nothing was heard from street and other residents (even many of them came with their children).  The free drum show at 9pm in the hotel lobby was really impressive and should not be missed, though all the descriptions were in Japanese only.  Seat reservation was not required but people began to show up and occupy the seats in the lobby after 8:30pm.  The staff were very helpful and professional.  They measured and provided fit yukata to my children (aged 5 and aged 3).  My room rate included a buffet dinner and breakfast, and both were outstanding.  There were numerous choices of delicious and fresh dishes.  The futons were nicely set in my room during my dinner time.  The bathroom did not offer onsen water, and I used the onsen on second floor instead.  I was totally satisfied.  The hotel may not be a very luxurious one, but I think that the room offer is really value for money, and the professional service is appreciated.  This hotel is definitely recommended.

Professional service and value for money

Love this traditional Japanese hotel a lot. It is old but well maintained, close to the town center with good options of shopping for souvenirs and snacks around. The rooms are unusually spacious, it is clean with good facilities. The free drum performance in the evening was impressive.
I have to take this opportunity to thank the hotel staff, particularly a Chinese speaking young lady, who assisted me with my eye injury. The hotel staff brought me to an eye clinic in a private car and a Chinese staff accompanied me all the way doing translation/interpretation work.
I truly enjoyed the stay there and would recommend anyone looking for a warm stay in Dogo Onsen to consider staying there!

Perfect service with spacious room, lovely stay!

 Old style hotel ryokan. Great service and big room but cant open windows much for fresh air. Disappointing baths. Japanese dinner unusually disappointing for this type of hotel class. Wifi has to be requested but they helped sort out a router problem. Great breakfast buffet, however, which made us wonder if we should have broken our Japanese travel rule and opted for the dinner buffet the night before. Walk around town centre was limited but better than a lot of onsen towns which are shameless tourist traps with little to offer.

Average

Stayed in the main building. Room was spacious - lots of room to move around even when the futons were laid down  We only visited the onsen in the main building.
Staff very helpful with suggestions of places to visit.
There was a Taiko Drum performance which was a bonus - very entertaining
We took up the meal plan which included dinner and breakfast at the restaurant. Both meals were buffet style - plenty of choice.
Overall, good, comfortable hotel near to the shopping area.

Hotel Tsubakikan

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