Shimogyō Ward - 下京区
Asahi-yu
Asahi-yu
Japanese Name: 旭湯
Prefecture: Kyoto
City: Shimogyō-ku
Address: 〒601-8453 京都府京都市南区唐橋羅城門町 ２１
Access: 10min from JRWest Nishiōji Station / JR西日本 西大路駅
Category: Sento
Webpage: http://www.kyo1010.com/asahi-yu02/
Price: Kyoto Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)
Holiday: Monday
Hours: 14:00-24:30 (Sundays 9:00-26:00)Review: Google Maps reviewers in Japan mention the cold water bath here being almost a pool. After doing an extra-long summer hike, that sounded like the best sento for me to try. Upon entering the baths, I noticed some children's swim goggles hanging off a basket of soap and shampoo. This was a good sign. While it is not a "pool" like Futaba or Sanko, it is a huge, not too shallow cold water bath where none of the typical rules apply. Asahi-yu exemplifies that the bath rules are variable to the location. Making sure to check out local manners before doing so, I stuck my head under the faucets, which constantly filled the cold water bath, and it felt great. The kids were all over the place and having a great time. Even some of the adults did a little swim! Just what I needed!Besides the awesome cold water quasi-pool, there is a super popular dry sauna, a clean but unused steam sauna, and a treated outdoor bath. The main bath has a shallow section, a deep section, some jets, and an electric section. Next to it are separate baths with some bubbles and a lovely micro-bubble. The latter has been modified to overfill a bit when you get in, making it feel extra-encompassing-like a bubbly white hug.Check out the small square tile mosaic of the family bathing along the dividing wall and the wide, energetic waterfall spout filling the cold water kakari basin.As I said, rules depend on the context of the bath. Here many of the rules were ignored or modified. However, rinsing off your sweat before entering the cold-water bath appears to be religiously obeyed.Highly, highly recommended.Visit Date: June 2022
Prefecture: Kyoto
City: Shimogyō-ku
Address: 〒601-8453 京都府京都市南区唐橋羅城門町 ２１
Access: 10min from JRWest Nishiōji Station / JR西日本 西大路駅
Category: Sento
Webpage: http://www.kyo1010.com/asahi-yu02/
Price: Kyoto Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)
Holiday: Monday
Hours: 14:00-24:30 (Sundays 9:00-26:00)Review: Google Maps reviewers in Japan mention the cold water bath here being almost a pool. After doing an extra-long summer hike, that sounded like the best sento for me to try. Upon entering the baths, I noticed some children's swim goggles hanging off a basket of soap and shampoo. This was a good sign. While it is not a "pool" like Futaba or Sanko, it is a huge, not too shallow cold water bath where none of the typical rules apply. Asahi-yu exemplifies that the bath rules are variable to the location. Making sure to check out local manners before doing so, I stuck my head under the faucets, which constantly filled the cold water bath, and it felt great. The kids were all over the place and having a great time. Even some of the adults did a little swim! Just what I needed!Besides the awesome cold water quasi-pool, there is a super popular dry sauna, a clean but unused steam sauna, and a treated outdoor bath. The main bath has a shallow section, a deep section, some jets, and an electric section. Next to it are separate baths with some bubbles and a lovely micro-bubble. The latter has been modified to overfill a bit when you get in, making it feel extra-encompassing-like a bubbly white hug.Check out the small square tile mosaic of the family bathing along the dividing wall and the wide, energetic waterfall spout filling the cold water kakari basin.As I said, rules depend on the context of the bath. Here many of the rules were ignored or modified. However, rinsing off your sweat before entering the cold-water bath appears to be religiously obeyed.Highly, highly recommended.Visit Date: June 2022
Hakusan-yu Rokujo
Hakusan-yu Rokujo
Japanese Name: 白山湯 六条店
Prefecture: Kyoto
City: Shimogyō-ku
Address: 〒600-8304 京都府京都市下京区艮町893
Access: 5min from Kyoto Subway Gojō Station / 京都地下鉄 五条駅
Category: Sento
Webpage: http://hakusanyu.co.jp/rokujo
Price: Kyoto Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)
Holiday: Wednesday
Hours: 15:00-24:00 (Weekends 7:00-24:00)Review: What an excellent sento for a hot day in Kyoto! Well, water-filled baths are in a straightforward and sterile setting. Being on the first floor in a tall building, there is little space here, and you can feel that in the small but well-arranged changing room; however, you don't notice it in the baths, which are bright and fresh. Lots of gushing water also helps make the scene. While there are some great normal baths filled with heated spring water and a popular dry sauna, the cold water bath is where it's at. Two fountains are filling the bath just above the water level and one at about 2 meters. Putting your head in the water here seems OK, so go for it. The bath water gets cycled out so quickly there is no need for strong chlorine to be added-- if any. Lovely place and somewhat close to JR Kyoto station, so it's well worth checking out.Visit Date: August 2022
Prefecture: Kyoto
City: Shimogyō-ku
Address: 〒600-8304 京都府京都市下京区艮町893
Access: 5min from Kyoto Subway Gojō Station / 京都地下鉄 五条駅
Category: Sento
Webpage: http://hakusanyu.co.jp/rokujo
Price: Kyoto Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)
Holiday: Wednesday
Hours: 15:00-24:00 (Weekends 7:00-24:00)Review: What an excellent sento for a hot day in Kyoto! Well, water-filled baths are in a straightforward and sterile setting. Being on the first floor in a tall building, there is little space here, and you can feel that in the small but well-arranged changing room; however, you don't notice it in the baths, which are bright and fresh. Lots of gushing water also helps make the scene. While there are some great normal baths filled with heated spring water and a popular dry sauna, the cold water bath is where it's at. Two fountains are filling the bath just above the water level and one at about 2 meters. Putting your head in the water here seems OK, so go for it. The bath water gets cycled out so quickly there is no need for strong chlorine to be added-- if any. Lovely place and somewhat close to JR Kyoto station, so it's well worth checking out.Visit Date: August 2022
Shimabara Onsen
Shimabara Onsen
Japanese Name: 島原温泉Prefecture: KyotoCity: Shimogyō WardAddress: 京都市下京区西新屋敷中堂寺町69Closest Station: Tanbaguchi Station / 丹波口駅Category: SentoWebpage: http://www.kyo1010.com/shimabara-onsen/Price: Kyoto Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: FridayHours: 14:30-24:00Review:Small but perfect. Great radon bath with a rock lined wall giving it a cave like feel. Cold water bath hit the spot after a day of hiking. Cool little statue in the main bath.
Visit Date: April 2019
Visit Date: April 2019
Ume-Yu
Ume-Yu
Japanese Name: 梅湯Prefecture: KyotoCity: Shimogyō WardAddress: 京都市下京区木屋町通上ノ口上ル岩滝町175Type: SentoWebpage: http://www.kyo1010.com/ume-yu/Price: Kyoto Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: ThursdayHours: 14:00-26:00 (Weekends 6:00-12:00, 14:00-26:00)
ReviewClassic Kyoto feel sento located somewhat downtown.
ReviewClassic Kyoto feel sento located somewhat downtown.
*Closed* Kyoto Tower Daiyokujyo ~Yuu~
*Closed* Kyoto Tower Daiyokujyo ~Yuu~
Japanese Name: 京都タワー大浴場～YUU～Prefecture: KyotoCity: Shimogyō WardAddress: 京都府京都市下京区烏丸通七条下る東塩小路町７２１－１Type: SentoWebpage: https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/kyoto-tower/floorguide/spa.htmlPrice: ¥770 (Weekends & Holidays: ¥910)Holiday: NoneHours: 7:00-22:00
ReviewThe sento located underneath the Kyoto Tower. It is just so weird you'll have to check it out. Inside it has a great retro feel with somewhat disappointing baths. Since going here the baths were remodeled in 2012. I'll have to go back and check it out again.
July 2020 Revisit: ¥910 on a holiday for this is a ripoff. Yes it has a nice retro feel but you are only really paying for the location I guess. Not worth it.
Summer 2021 Update: It has closed for good. Here is an article about it.
https://www.lmaga.jp/news/2021/05/267975/
ReviewThe sento located underneath the Kyoto Tower. It is just so weird you'll have to check it out. Inside it has a great retro feel with somewhat disappointing baths. Since going here the baths were remodeled in 2012. I'll have to go back and check it out again.
July 2020 Revisit: ¥910 on a holiday for this is a ripoff. Yes it has a nice retro feel but you are only really paying for the location I guess. Not worth it.
Summer 2021 Update: It has closed for good. Here is an article about it.
https://www.lmaga.jp/news/2021/05/267975/