When I traveled to Shikoku and visited Dogo Onsen, I had the chance to stay at Funaya Hotel in Matsuyama. It is where the Emperor and Crown Prince have stayed when they visited also. The hotel was a nice mixture of old and new architecture.
Dogo Onsen was about 10 minutes walk away and as I went out dressed in yukata to head towards the baths, I was given a small carry basket (bucket?) with a towel in it. The tag on the basket says “funaya” ふなや for Funaya Hotel. Some others in the street also had this baskets with their own hotel names on it.
Funaya Hotel basketThe main entrance to the hotelGetting ready for the evening session at the first floor restaurantVery nice traditional lobby area and gift shop beyond thatThe architecture was a mix of old and modern, with some beautiful greenery surrounding the hotelThe crossover between old and new buildingsCute little displayA chance to buy some local produce タルトCoffee shop area overlooking the gardensA little bit of rain starting to fallThe special exhibition space, showing some of the history of the hotelPictures of the Prince making a visitThe Emperor and Prince in the photos here on the wall from a previous visitInteresting architecture on these arches, very nicely done.Old style telephone box
This place looks amazing! I would love to go one day.