Kinzanyu, a long-established public bath with a history of about 100 years in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, has been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that fans are coveting, which is rare among public baths in Japan. After the installation, the number of customers has increased by 20%. Many people come all the way from far away to visit. As public bathhouses that have taken root in local communities are disappearing more and more, what efforts are they making to survive?
"The reputation has been great. The number of customers has increased by 20%, and the number of young people is also increasing." Masatoshi Nakade, 63, of Kanayamayu, smiles. Many people in their 20s and 30s come not only from Kyoto but also from Osaka and Hyogo.
Kanayamayu was founded around 1921. It has an attractive retro atmosphere.
What is attracting customers is the facility, which was installed in mid-December 2023 and allows users to perform the Finnish-style sauna bathing method, ''Self-Lo-Ryu.'' Enjoy the men's sauna.
Users can sprinkle water on the heated sauna stones at any time they like. You are also welcome to bring your own aromatic water.
When you pour water on it with a ladle, steam spreads all at once and the perceived temperature rises rapidly. Mr. Nakade says, ''Customers say, ''The game is fast.'' This means that you reach your limit faster than in a regular sauna.
You can adjust the amount of water to your liking and the amount of steam. The decision was made after carefully listening to the opinions of sauna fans who frequent Kanayama-yu. It is said to be the first public bath in Kyoto Prefecture, and is rare even nationwide. Mr. Nakade, who likes the word ''seitai'', which is used among sauna fans and refers to a good state of mind and body, says, ''I call out to customers, ''Are you ready?'' Make it.
It is unique to Kyoto that you can use it for only a 490 yen bathing fee. In other prefectures, there are many cases where there is a separate charge for sauna use.
The sauna is used by an unspecified number of people, so those who want to do ro-ryu must obtain the consent of those around them before doing so. It is said that there are no problems as everyone follows good manners.
In the city, public bathhouses are disappearing one after another due to the lack of successors, the aging of managers, and a decline in the number of customers. Mr. Nakade said, ''I thought about how to leave a public bath in the Mibu area, where Kanayama-yu is located, and added a self-laurel.I believe that public baths have great significance from the perspectives of public health, welfare, and disaster prevention. The only way for a public bathhouse to survive is to add value to customers and make them happy.I want to revitalize public bathhouses in Kyoto,'' he says enthusiastically.
The women's sauna was also renovated. The company has not yet installed the Self-Lo-Rue-Ryu, and will consider the pros and cons of introducing it in the future, taking into account its reputation as a product for men.
Business hours are 2:00 pm to 1:00 am. Closed on Saturdays.
