Around 4 PM, I checked into Hotel Kyoto Eminence and spent some lazy time in my room. While it might be nice to busy myself with sightseeing since I'm in Kyoto, I also enjoy wasting time lounging around in the hotel room. While browsing the internet for sauna facilities, I contemplated where to go for my next sauna trip. It seems that my senses are sharper when I'm traveling, allowing me to plan great trips. Most of my sauna trips are planned during my travels. As I looped between planning my trip and watching TV shows, it suddenly became 7 PM. It was about time to hit the hot spring. Staying at Hotel Kyoto Eminence comes with the perk of 24-hour access to Kyoto Takenosato Onsen Manyo no Yu. Manyo no Yu is a nationwide chain of bathing facilities, with locations in Kobe, Yokohama, and more. At Kyoto's Manyo no Yu, you can enjoy two types of hot spring sources, and even the cold plunge bath uses spring water. This indicates a rich abundance of hot spring water. With high expectations, I headed to the large bath. Since the facility is open to non-guests as well, the restaurant and other areas were quite lively. Entering the men's changing room, there were lockers exclusively for guests. It felt special and nice. The locker provided unlimited use of face towels and bath towels, and the amenities were well-stocked. While many facilities offer unlimited towels, having bath towels available is greatly appreciated. Entering the large bath, I was greeted by a spacious and open area with a high ceiling. The facility lavishly uses two types of hot springs and offers a variety of baths. When I tried to cleanse myself in the shower booth, I was surprised to find that even the shower used hot spring water. This is quite rare. Having visited numerous hot spring facilities, this was my first time experiencing a shower with hot spring water. As I excitedly showered, the soft spring water felt pleasant, almost like bathing in lotion, with a smooth sensation. Even before soaking in the bath, I was already enjoying the hot spring. After warming up in the shower, I indulged in the open-air bath with the hot spring flowing directly from the source. The soothing hot spring water was constantly being poured in. Moreover, while soaking in the hot spring, I looked up to see a beautiful starry sky. Soaking in the hot spring while gazing at the stars. This moment was special. I'm glad I came to Kyoto. I'm glad I traveled. It's because I broke away from the lazy mood at home this morning that I'm experiencing this happiness now. It makes me realize that a single action can lead to a completely different life, and there are sights you can only see by actively going to various places. The world is full of sights I've never seen before. After enjoying the hot spring, I entered the sauna. The sauna was compact, accommodating about 10 people. It had a far-infrared stove, giving off a retro Showa era vibe, which felt nostalgic. Recently, Finnish-style saunas have been popular, and many facilities I've visited had convection-style stone saunas, so it had been a while since I'd experienced a far-infrared heater. The sauna had a TV, allowing me to enjoy a travel show while warming up. While it's nice to meditate quietly in a sauna, watching TV in a space that evokes the Showa era isn't bad either. The cold plunge bath, as expected, used hot spring water. The spring water is cooled to 18°C for use. The cold plunge bath with spring water feels warmer than the displayed temperature. The water is soft, so it doesn't have the piercing coldness that stings the skin. It feels like you could stay in it forever. After the cold plunge bath, I moved to the open-air bath to enjoy an outdoor bath while gazing at the starry sky. Usually, after an outdoor bath, I head straight to the sauna, but at a facility with hot spring water flowing directly from the source, the flow is slightly different. The sequence of outdoor bath → hot spring → outdoor bath → sauna is exquisite, and I highly recommend trying it. When you immerse your body, which has been refreshed by the outdoor bath, in the open-air hot spring, you experience a tingling sensation of pleasure throughout your body. It's so relaxing that you might inadvertently let out an "ahh." Wrapped in the warmth of the hot spring, your body gradually heats up. Then, you sit in the outdoor bath chair once more, cooling your body in the night breeze. From there, it's sauna → cold plunge bath. At a facility where you can enjoy a pleasant hot spring, you might want to try the sequence of sauna → cold plunge bath → outdoor bath → hot spring → outdoor bath → sauna... I enjoyed three sets.

After enjoying the pleasant hot spring, it's time to eat. I'm very hungry. I moved to the restaurant within the facility and ordered an oyakodon. It was sweetly seasoned and very delicious. Looking around the restaurant while eating, I saw various people. There were those spending time alone like me, couples, and families, with various combinations. However, there was one thing everyone had in common. They all looked happy. This is the power of hot springs and saunas. In the large bath, you're freed from daily life, and all you have to do is relax to the fullest. After spending an hour in that space, people show expressions as if they've been reborn. Even if they arrived looking tired and downcast, they leave with their heads held high. This is why I can't stop going on sauna trips. Returning to my room, I planned for the next day before going to bed. Today, I enjoyed super sentos like Sagano Onsen Tenzan no Yu and Manyo no Yu, so I decided to tour Kyoto's public baths tomorrow. Kyoto is a mecca for public baths in Japan, and there are facilities that were the setting for the drama "Sado." I picked out a few places I wanted to visit. I can decide where to go first based on my mood in the morning. Perhaps due to the sense of relief from having tomorrow's plan set, a strong drowsiness overcame me, and I drifted off into the world of dreams.