♨️ Minamoto-yu 源湯

Founded in 1928, Minamoto-yu is what I think a sento in a quiet local neighborhood would look like in manga form. Taken over in 2019 by Yutonamisha, the collective behind the popular Sauna no Umeyu, Minamoto-yu is a little outside of the busy streets of Kyoto and houses a hot bath, shallow bath, jet bath, electric bath, cold water bath. Heads up that the electric bath feels insane and made me feel like I was Pikachu.

The whole space is amazing and really feels like you're at someone's grandmother's house. For example, next to the baths is a 20-tatami lounging room with drinks, snacks, manga, and board games. And the second floor has a small cluster of tenants like gallery 氵 (sanzui) and the eccentric secondhand book shop あきよし堂.