Discovering an authentic Japanese bathing experience is one of the most memorable parts of traveling in Kyoto.
While many visitors head straight to famous temples and shrines, Kyoto is also home to some of the best day-trip Hot Springs and traditional public baths in Japan—ranging from mountain hot springs surrounded by nature to beautifully preserved cultural-heritage bathhouses in the city.
This guide introduces the Top 5 Onsen & public bath in Kyoto, carefully selected by a local wellness guide.
Whether you want a relaxing soak after sightseeing, a deep cultural experience, or a quiet retreat in the mountains, these spots offer the perfect way to unwind and feel the real Kyoto.
1st Place: Kurama Onsen
- Rating: ★★★★⯨(24 stars total)
Bath Variety & Quality ★★★★★
Atmosphere & Authenticity ★★★★★
Comfort ★★★★★
Accessibility for Tourists ★★★★☆
Scenic Value / Surroundings ★★★★★
Kurama Onsen is a day-use hot spring located in the northern part of Kyoto, in the scenic Kurama–Kibune area. Surrounded by mountains and deep forest, it offers a peaceful soaking experience far removed from the busy city. Because the onsen sits deep in the hills, it takes over an hour from Kyoto Station by train and bus. However, the remote setting is exactly what makes Kurama Onsen special. The open-air baths are designed to blend with the natural landscape, allowing you to gaze out over lush greenery and forested valleys. In spring and summer you can enjoy vibrant fresh leaves, while autumn brings spectacular colors.
The entire building has a calm, traditional Japanese atmosphere. Inside the facility, there is also a restaurant where you can relax with set meals and light dishes made from local ingredients—perfect for spending half a day combining bathing and dining.
Most visitors pair their trip with nearby attractions such as Kurama-dera Temple or hiking on Mt. Kurama. After a long walk, soaking in the outdoor bath and cooling off in the mountain air is an unforgettable experience. The busiest times are weekend afternoons to early evenings, so if you prefer a quiet visit, choose a weekday morning or a later time in the evening.
Personally, my recommended way to enjoy Kurama Onsen is to spend time relaxing between baths—have a meal, take a nap in the rest area, and then return for another soak. Since the indoor bath and the outdoor bath are located in separate areas, it’s very pleasant to bathe indoors first, take a break, and then head to the open-air bath afterward.
- Facility Information
Business Hours
10:00–21:00
Restaurant Hours
Lunch: 12:00–15:00 (Last order 14:30)
Dinner: 17:00–20:30 (Last order 20:00)
Parking
30 spaces (free)
Admission Fees
Children (ages 3 to elementary school): ¥1,300
Adults: Weekdays ¥2,500 / Weekends & holidays ¥2,700
*There is also a cheaper ticket for outdoor-bath-only use, but if you want to fully enjoy the hot spring, I recommend paying the full admission and experiencing everything the facility offers.
2nd Place: Funaoka Onsen
- Rating: ★★★★⯨(22 stars total)
Bath Variety & Quality ★★★★★
Atmosphere & Authenticity ★★★★★
Comfort ★★★★☆
Accessibility for Tourists ★★★★☆
Scenic Value / Surroundings ★★★★☆
Funaoka Onsen is a public bath located in a quiet residential area of Kyoto, famous for preserving the charm of an old-style Japanese sento. Although its name includes the word “onsen,” it is not a hot spring but a traditional public bath. One of its most notable features is that parts of the building—including the exterior and sections of the changing area—are designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties.
The wooden architecture, classical changing rooms, the traditional “bandai” attendant counter, and the retro-style rest area all offer a unique atmosphere that captures Kyoto’s long-standing bathing culture. Visiting Funaoka Onsen is more than just taking a bath—it’s a cultural experience where you can feel the history of the neighborhood and enjoy authentic Japanese daily life.
- Facility Information
Business Hours
15:00–23:30
(Sundays: 08:00–23:30)
Closed
Tuesdays
Parking
11 spaces
(Please issue the parking validation ticket immediately upon arrival.)
3rd Place: Fufu-no-Yu
- Rating: ★★★★⯨ (21 stars total)
Bath Variety & Quality ★★★★☆
Atmosphere & Authenticity ★★★★☆
Comfort ★★★★★
Accessibility for Tourists ★★★★☆
Scenic Value / Surroundings ★★★★☆
Fufu-no-Yu is a hot spring facility located in the popular Arashiyama sightseeing area, making it very easy to stop by during your visit to the nearby tourist spots. Its water comes from the “Arashiyama Onsen” source, classified as a mildly alkaline simple hot spring. The water is gentle on the skin, smooth to the touch, and helps warm the body deeply.
One important point for foreign visitors: guests with tattoos are not allowed to enter, so please be aware before visiting.
Despite being close to major attractions, Fufu-no-Yu is surprisingly quiet, and visitors can enjoy spacious baths without the crowds typically found in Arashiyama. This makes it a perfect place to relax and recharge between sightseeing activities.
- Facility Information
Business Hours
12:00–22:00 (Last admission 21:30)
Admission
Adults:
- Weekdays ¥1,100
- Weekends & holidays ¥1,300
Closed
None (open daily)
4th Place: Tenzan-no-Yu
- Rating: ★★★⯨☆ (19 stars total)
Bath Variety & Quality ★★★★★
Atmosphere & Authenticity ★★★☆☆
Comfort ★★★★☆
Accessibility for Tourists ★★★★☆
Scenic Value / Surroundings ★★★☆☆
Tenzan-no-Yu is a hot spring facility located in the Saga–Arashiyama area, known for its impressive variety of baths fed by natural hot spring water. The outdoor baths, free-flowing hot-spring pools, carbonated baths, high-temperature sauna, and cold plunge offer a wide range of temperatures and health benefits. This makes it an excellent choice for both relaxation and wellness.
Because it is close to major sightseeing spots, it’s easy to stop by after exploring Arashiyama. The onsite restaurant also offers a diverse menu, allowing visitors to enjoy “hot spring + dining” as a complete experience—warming your body in the baths and then savoring a meal afterward.
Please note that guests with tattoos are not permitted. Also, Tenzan-no-Yu is extremely popular among locals, so the facility can be quite crowded, which may make it a bit harder to relax during peak hours.
5th Place: Gokoyu
- Rating: ★★★⯨☆ (18 stars total)
Bath Variety & Quality ★★★★☆
Atmosphere & Authenticity ★★★★★
Comfort ★★☆☆☆
Accessibility for Tourists ★★★★☆
Scenic Value / Surroundings ★★★☆☆
Gokoyu is a long-established public bath located near Gojo-Omiya in central Kyoto. The interior is spacious, and the facility is known for offering an impressive variety of bathing options despite being a traditional sento (not a natural hot spring).
On the first floor, you will find multiple baths such as jet baths, electric baths, herbal baths, and a milky bath filled with fine microbubbles that make the water appear white. On the second floor, there are high-temperature steam saunas, far-infrared dry saunas, and a cold bath—features that make Gokoyu especially popular among sauna enthusiasts and visitors seeking a more diverse bathing experience.
Because it is located in the city center with excellent access, many locals stop by after sightseeing or on their way home from work. For the inexpensive sento fee, the range of facilities is considered exceptionally good value. Keep in mind that, as a city-based public bath, Gokoyu does not have outdoor baths, and its rest area is relatively small.
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