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Jan 17–18, 2026　／　1 night, 2 days

Kyoto Sento & Sauna Hopping

Photographed January 2026 by the Editor-in-Chief
✦ Visited January 2026

For me, the reason to visit Kyoto has nothing to do with temple tours, city strolls, or history lessons. It's all about saunas and hot springs. This time, I set out to enjoy a mix of modern saunas and classic Showa-era sento around Kyoto, including a visit to the filming locations from the drama Sado. A whirlwind one-night, two-day Kyoto trip is about to begin.

Duration
2 days
Baths visited
4 spots
Visited
January 2026

Every stop on this itinerary was visited in person by the Editor-in-Chief.

Itinerary

Read it in the order we travelled.

01Jan 17　12:00

Sagano Onsen Tenzan no Yu

Kyoto

Enjoying the sauna near Arashiyama

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02Jan 17　19:00

Kyoto Takenosato Onsen Manyo no Yu

Kyoto

Savoring a Free-Flowing Natural Hot Spring

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03Jan 18　10:00

Gokouyu

Kyoto

Getting Along with a Fully Tattooed Man in the Sauna

Read this day →See the bath →
04Jan 18　11:00

Hakusan-yu Takatsuji Branch

Kyoto

Kyoto's No. 1 Groundwater

Read this day →See the bath →

Baths visited on this journey

  • Sagano Onsen Tenzan no YuKyoto→
  • Kyoto Takenosato Onsen Manyo no YuKyoto→
  • GokouyuKyoto→
  • Hakusan-yu Takatsuji BranchKyoto→
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Japan's Finest Onsen & Sauna

65Selected

Every place visited in person, chosen after soaking in it myself.

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