Tanimoto Kamaboko-Ten, Dogo | Review by 黃國棟

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Tanimoto Kamaboko-Ten, Dogo

Right in front of Dogo Onsen (hot spring)! Tuck into the “Jyako-ten” (Jyako-fish paste tempura) in front of the shop.

3 Nov 2026 See More

While exploring the Dogo Onsen Main Building, we noticed a fish cake specialty shop right across the street. The aroma of freshly made snacks made us stop and buy some to try! This is Tanimoto Kamaboko-Ten, a long-established shop founded in 1916, and it’s a local treat well worth trying when visiting Dogo Onsen.

The shop specializes in jakoten, a local Ehime delicacy. The fish cakes are made fresh to order, so there’s a short wait, but that only makes you look forward to them even more.

This time, we ordered a small sardine patty and a swordfish roll in the sweet and spicy flavor. After waiting about five minutes, we received our piping-hot food. We found a nearby bench and sat down to enjoy it while taking in the streets around Dogo Onsen. It felt especially relaxing.

Freshly made fish cakes are particularly flavorful. The sardine patty had a rich, fresh fish flavor, while the swordfish roll was sweet and spicy. Each had its own character. The portions weren’t large, making them just right as a snack while walking around.

Sometimes the most memorable parts of a trip are the local foods you happen to discover. When visiting Dogo Onsen, don’t forget to stop and pick some up to enjoy the traditional flavors of Ehime!

Other Reviews by 黃國棟

Gujo Observatory

From this observatory along National Route 319, you can take in sweeping views of central Shikoku City and the Seto Inland Sea at the same time. It is also known for its beautiful night views 펼치는 a 180-degree panorama, with sparkling city lights below and futuristic-looking paper mills stretching to the east, creating a truly spectacular scene.
- Ehime
- Observatories
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We came to Gujo Observatory, a place known for its night views. We ended up visiting during the day, and although it lacked the sparkle of the city lights at night, it had a different kind of beauty.

The view from the observatory was really expansive, with the entire city and distant mountains visible at a glance. The visibility is excellent when the weather is good! It’s no wonder it was selected as one of Japan’s Night View Heritage sites. I’m sure it’s even more captivating at night, when countless lights illuminate the entire city.

It was a little disappointing to miss the famous night view this time, but it was still well worth visiting during the day for a walk and the scenery. Now we have a reason to come back next time!
Ozu Castle Stay

This plan fulfills a lifelong dream: living like a feudal lord. Guests can stay in the wooden keep of Ozu Castle, faithfully reconstructed using traditional techniques to recreate its appearance during the Edo period, when it stood at the heart of the Iyo-Ozu Domain.
- Ehime
- Entire Homes, Villas & Cottages
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When I came to Ozu Castle, I originally thought it would just be a small Japanese castle, but after visiting, I was drawn in by the scenery!

The most unique thing about Ozu Castle is the “feudal lord for a day” accommodation experience, known as Ozu Castle Stay. You can actually stay in a real Japanese castle, which sounds really interesting. Unfortunately, I didn’t arrange to stay overnight this time, so I could only look around and take photos. I’d really like to experience it next time if I get the chance.

Although the castle isn’t very large, the views are quite good. From above, you can look out over downtown Ozu and the surrounding countryside. Looking toward the Hijikawa River, you can also see trains on the Yosan Line slowly passing by, which was an unexpected little highlight of the visit!

If you like Japanese castles and historic architecture, don’t forget to add this place to your itinerary when visiting Ozu, Ehime.
Ozu Castle Town Streetscape

This castle town district stretches along the Hiji River in Ozu, Ehime Prefecture. It flourished as the castle town of the Ozu Domain during the Edo period, and traces of that history remain throughout the area. Its scenery also reflects the successive Edo, Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods. Old merchant houses, storehouses, temples, shrines, and Western-style buildings dot the town, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
- Ehime
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3 Nov 2026 See More

This time I visited the Ozu Castle Town in Ehime. I didn’t have very high expectations at first, but it turned out to have much more character than I imagined! Walking along the old streets, with traditional Japanese buildings preserved on both sides, it felt as though time had slowed down and I had stepped into an earlier era of Japan.

The most iconic spot here is “Ohanahan Street,” named after the NHK morning drama Ohanahan, which was filmed here. The street has fully preserved its Edo-period layout, and everything from the exteriors of the houses to the streetscape gives off a strong sense of nostalgia.

We came on a weekday, and there were hardly any tourists on the entire street. It was especially relaxing to explore without crowds, and we could take our time admiring the old buildings along the way. We didn’t have to wait at all to take photos, either.

Nearby attractions include Ozu Castle, Garyu Sanso, and the Ozu Red Brick Hall, so they can all be visited together. Compared with lively, popular tourist spots, I really like quiet little towns like this with a sense of history. Without too much hustle and bustle, it’s even easier to appreciate the charm of traditional Japanese streets.