Yamatoya Honten

A lovely way to experience Matsuyama in a traditional Japanese style. The room was amazing, though I find futons hard to sleep on. The food was great, and I enjoyed the snacks, complimentary sake and juice, and the onsen. I’d recommend it.

Our group of four booked the set dinner at the restaurant on the 4th floor. It had ten dishes, and everything was delicious. The breakfast buffet was great too, with tasty food throughout. The room was big enough for seven people, so the four of us had lots of space. Staff set up the beds at 6 pm each day and took them away the next day. Yamatoya Honten is a long-established Japanese-style inn founded in 1868, right beside the Dogo Onsen Honkan bathhouse. Dogo Onsen is mentioned in Japan’s oldest historical record, “Nihon Shoki” (A Chronicle of Japan). The inn was renewed in 1996, and brings a contemporary approach to hospitality while keeping the traditions of a customary inn. We had a great stay at this onsen hotel.

The buffet room is huge, with lots of traditional and regional choices. There were three kinds of mikan juice on tap and an ikura mountain. We had a traditional tatami room, and room service prepared the futons for us. The bath area is very large, with two indoor pools and one outdoor pool, separated for men and women. There’s also a Noh stage and several restaurants. The hotel has clearly put effort into giving everything, from the lobby to the rooms and buffet, an elegant traditional feel. A great place where you get what you pay for.

Yamatoya Honten offers an intimate meal rooted in traditional Japanese food and seasonal ingredients. The kaiseki courses, grilled fish, sashimi and seasoned soups were all carefully made and presented with real attention to balance and flavor. The restaurant has a warm, inviting feel, with traditional wood details alongside modern touches. Service was attentive, and the staff knew the menu well and were happy to suggest sake pairings. It’s a memorable choice for anyone wanting to explore Japanese flavors and hospitality.