Sakura-yu Public Bath Kyoto

Sakura-yu Public Bath Kyoto 桜湯

Now nearly 100 years old, Sakura-yu public bath in downtown Kyoto, is a trip back in time. Though situated close to Kyoto's busiest shopping street, Kawaramachi, Sakura-yu is set on a peaceful side street, populated by a few trendy cafes and eateries.

Sakura-yu Public Bath

Established in 1919 way back in the Taisho Period, Sakura-yu is a preserved period piece of a sento with some lovely touches, from the weathered wooden shoe lockers at the entrance to the tiled baths themselves inside.

Traditional wooden shoe lockers

The changing area has an ancient set of scales and a recently added fish tank. There are soft drinks and beer available to quench your thirst after a long, hot soak. Kyoto Imperial Palace (Gosho) is just to the west and the Kamogawa to the east.

The changing area

Access - Getting There

Sakura-yu Facebook page Tawaraya-cho 454 Nakamachidori Marutamachi-agaru Kamigyo-ku Kyoto 602-0871 Tel: 075 231 0391 Hours: 4.30 pm-midnight; closed Monday There is room for one car in the car park.

Looking into the bath area

The nearest station to Sakura-yu is Jingu-Marutamachi on the Keihan Line or take one of the numerous city buses to the corner of Marutamachi and Kawaramachi. These include: #3, #4, #10, #17, #37, #59, #65, #93, #202, #204, #205. Sakura-yu is just around the corner from the friendly and good value Thai Kitchen Pakuchi restaurant. There is another sento called Sakura-yu down on Gojo Mibugawa. Other recommended sento in Kyoto include Funaoka Onsen, Higashiyama Yu Onsen and Idutsu-yu Public Bath.

Entry noren curtain