Overlooking the quaint Dogo Onsen Honkan from the Dogo Onsen Sky Walk

With the spirit of a tourist, we strolled through the Dogo Onsen Shopping Street, enjoyed the punctual show of the Botchan Karakuri Clock, and prepared for our next destination: the Dogo Onsen Sky Walk. It’s about a leisurely 10-minute walk from here. From the elevated vantage point, you can enjoy a full view of the historic Dogo Onsen Honkan. Additionally, there’s a highlight—foot spa—where you can soak your feet while admiring the scenic Dogo Onsen area.

Our family slowly made our way toward the Dogo Onsen Sky Walk, passing the stone monument commemorating the works of Natsume Soseki and the stamp station near the Dogo Onsen Trolley Museum. We walked along the path beside Dogo Onsen Honkan and climbed the stairs.

After passing the stone monument of Yuzan Shrine, we arrived at the Dogo Onsen Sky Walk. The foot bath is free and open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Here, you’ll also find various tourist maps introducing the many attractions in the Dogo Onsen area.

The gentle slope was easy to climb, and we quickly reached the top. Nearby, there’s a spacious Dogo Onsen parking lot, which charges a fee. To our surprise, every seat around the foot baths was occupied, so our family could only wander around. It’s likely that many visitors, tired from exploring the onsen area, came here to soak their feet before driving home or returning to their hotels.

The view here is fantastic and quite close, which explains why so many visitors come to chat, soak their feet, and take in the scenery. From above, you can see the entire structure of the Dogo Onsen Honkan. The historic architecture tells a story of its rich onsen culture passed down through the years.

The lighting here remains bright at night, so there’s no need to worry. A stone monument marks this spot as the landmark of the Dogo Onsen Sky Walk. If the daytime is too crowded, you can also visit in the evening to enjoy the breeze and admire the charming Dogo Onsen Honkan in its nostalgic glory.