Japanese Matsuyama Hot Spring Mechanical Clock Debuts at Taiwan’s Songshan Ciyou Temple

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The new flight route between Songshan in Taiwan and Matsuyama in Japan has recently been launched. To express gratitude for Taiwan’s support following the 311 earthquake, Matsuyama City gifted Taipei City the iconic “Young Master Mechanical Clock” from Dogo Onsen, a renowned tourist landmark in Ehime Prefecture, on the 13th. The mechanical clock, which cost 30 million yen to produce, has been placed in the square of Taipei’s Songshan Ciyou Temple, allowing the public to enjoy an authentic hot spring-themed mechanical clock without leaving the country.

▲ The hot spring mechanical clock has four levels, and at each hour, adorable little characters on the top level dance and sway to music. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Department)

The “Songshan–Dogo Onsen Prayer Mechanical Clock,” jointly created by Matsuyama City in Japan and Songshan Ciyou Temple in Taiwan, is adorned with cute “little characters.” The main figures are inspired by the Japanese novel “Botchan,” including the book-reading young master, Madonna playing the violin, and the Seven Lucky Gods riding a treasure ship. To tailor the gift for Taipei, characters representing local Taiwanese folklore such as Mazu, Qianliyan (Thousand-Mile Eye), and Shunfeng’er (Fair-Wind Ear) were added to the clock.

According to the city government, the mechanical clock has four levels, though usually only three are visible. From 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, the clock performs a nearly three-minute dynamic show at the top of every hour, extending to four levels with a total height of 415 centimeters. The first level depicts a hot spring bathing scene, the second shows the Seven Lucky Gods on a treasure ship, the third features the clock, the young master, and Madonna, while the fourth level showcases Mazu along with Qianliyan and Shunfeng’er.

% The little characters include the adorable young master reading by the hot spring and the cheerful “Missy.” (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Department)

A special feature is that during the hourly performance, all the figurines emerge and move to the rhythm of the music. Visitors can hear tunes such as “Iyo Vive le Roi (Long Live Iyo),” “The Young Master Theme Song,” “Song of Xikou,” “Welcoming Mazu,” and “Song of the Holy Mother.”