In Kyoto, Japan, well-known public bath such as Funaoka Onsen, Goko-yu, and Makoto no Yu are loved by locals. However, many people wonder, “Which one is the best?” or “Which one is right for me?”
Each of these places has its own unique history, atmosphere, and way of enjoying the bath, meaning the experience can be completely different even though they are all “Public bath.”
In this article, I will compare Funaoka Onsen, Goko-yu, and Makoto no Yu from my perspective as a local, sharing honest insights into their differences and highlights. If you want to choose the right Public bath and avoid disappointment, this guide will help you make the best decision.
Comparison Table
| Category | Funaoka onsen | Goko-yu | Makoto no Yu Public Bath |
| Type | An artistically designed | Famous for its sauna | A large public bath at a ryokan |
| Ideal Length of Stay | Day Trip | Day Trip | Day Trip or one night |
| Atmosphere | Deeply experience a local public bath | An urban public bath | Strongly feel the essence of a traditional Japanese ryokan |
| Bathing comfort | There are a wide variety of bathtubs | The bathing area is compact and can feel a bit small The sauna is spacious | It has an open-air bath, and the bathing area is spacious |
| Tourist Crowds | Can get a bit crowded | Can get crowded | Not many visitors |
| Access | Average | Easy | Easy |
| Food Appeal | No on-site dining | Drinks and snacks are available | Enjoy authentic Japanese ryokan cuisine |
Type
Funaoka Onsen is one of the most famous public baths in all of Japan. Its exterior and changing area are artistically designed and very unique. The open-air bath is also stylish, making it a great place to relax.
Goko-yu is a public bath popular among sauna lovers. It features two dry saunas—one at a lower temperature and another at a higher temperature—so you can choose based on your preference. It also has a cold bath and an outdoor air-cooling space.
Makoto no Yu is the large public bath of the popular ryokan Shoei, and it is also open to day-use visitors.
Ideal Length of Stay
Funaoka Onsen and Goko-yu are day-use only facilities and do not offer accommodation.
Makoto no Yu, on the other hand, also offers overnight stays. It is conveniently located just two stops from Kyoto Station—get off at JR Tambaguchi Station, and it’s about a 10-minute walk. Staying for one or two nights would be a great option.
Bathing comfort
Funaoka Onsen offers a wide variety of baths, including jet baths, an open-air bath, a cold bath, and bubble baths, so there’s plenty to enjoy. My personal recommendation is the open-air bath—the water temperature is on the milder side, allowing you to relax for a long time.
Goko-yu, located in the heart of the city, has a relatively compact bathing area. However, the sauna is spacious, and there is also an outdoor air-cooling space, making it more than sufficient for sauna users. On the other hand, those who are not interested in the sauna may find the bath area a bit small.
Makoto no Yu tends to have fewer visitors, so you can usually enjoy a more spacious and relaxed experience. The bath is spread over two floors, with an open-air bath and sauna located on the upper level. There is also an outdoor air-cooling space and a cold bath, making it a great option for sauna lovers. After bathing, you can relax in a dedicated rest area.
As it is part of a ryokan, the entrance fee is about twice that of Funaoka Onsen or Goko-yu, but it is definitely worth the price.
Tourist Crowds
Funaoka Onsen can be either busy or quiet depending on the time, so if you visit at the right moment, you may find it relatively uncrowded and easy to relax.
Goko-yu is popular among sauna enthusiasts, so it tends to be crowded most of the time.
Makoto no Yu has fewer visitors, partly because the entrance fee is a bit higher. However, while Funaoka Onsen and Goko-yu are tattoo-friendly, guests with tattoos are not allowed to use the large public bath at Makoto no Yu, so please keep this in mind.
Access
Funaoka Onsen is located about a 15-minute drive from central Kyoto, where most accommodations are concentrated. While you can get there by bus, taking a taxi is the most convenient option.
Goko-yu and Makoto no Yu are both easily accessible from central Kyoto, with convenient options such as buses and trains.
Food Appeal
Funaoka Onsen does not have any on-site dining facilities. If you’re looking for a meal, there are cafés nearby, which I recommend.
Goko-yu does have a dining area, but it mainly serves snacks and light dishes to go with alcohol, so it’s not ideal for a full lunch or dinner.
On the other hand, Makoto no Yu is part of a traditional Japanese ryokan, so the quality of the food is high. You can enjoy both lunch and dinner even as a day-use visitor. I’ve personally visited several times, and it’s a place I can confidently recommend.
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