Attraction

Tenzan no Yu

Kyoto has more than 140 sentō (public baths) — a tradition that dates back to medieval Japan — and also onsen (hot springs). The buildings that house sentō often resemble Japanese temples, since baths were frequently built at temples. Originally intended for monks, by the Kamakura period (1185–1333) they became popular with everyone. Visiting a bath is a ritual with a number of rules. For example, you must remove your shoes before entering the changing area and walk on reed tatami; women’s changing rooms usually have red noren (curtains), men’s blue; in most sentō people bathe naked, although swimsuits are allowed in some places. Bathhouses expect quiet behavior, alcohol is not permitted, and some establishments refuse entry to people with tattoos (because of associations with the yakuza). Budget public baths cost around 1000 yen per person. Tenzan-no-yu is considered one of the best sentō in the city.