Funaoka Onsen

Funaoka Onsen is a public bathhouse (sento) in Kita Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, famous for its historic changing room and bath areas registered as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. Access is about a 20-minute walk from Kuramaguchi Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway), or from JR Kyoto Station take Kyoto City Bus route 206, get off at “Senbon Kuramaguchi,” then walk about 5 minutes. It began operating in 1923 (Taisho 12) as an attached bath for the ryokan restaurant “Funaoka-ro.” In 1933 (Showa 8), it reportedly received permission as “Tokushu Funaoka Onsen,” known as the first in Japan to introduce an electric bath. Highlights include the lacquered keyaki (zelkova) coffered ceiling with carved tengu and Ushiwakamaru, and the richly decorated openwork transom carvings that encircle the changing room. While the building retains its historic character, the bathing facilities have been modernized, offering a herbal bath, jet bath, hot bath, electric bath, waterfall shower, sauna, cold bath, and an open-air bath. It is open until 1:00 a.m. with no regular closing day, making it a convenient stop to ease travel fatigue after sightseeing.