Naoshima Public Bath I Love Yu — Attraction in Naoshima

★★★★★

I Onsen Again and Again: A Pop Art Paradise!

This public bath on Naoshima is where retro meets relaxation in the most delightful way. The moment you step in, you're transported to a playful 80s wonderland – think Memphis Design meets traditional Japanese bathing culture.

The interior design is a masterclass in balanced contrasts. Bold geometric patterns and vibrant colors from the 80s pop aesthetic somehow create a surprisingly serene atmosphere. Everything from the lockers to the washing stations is thoughtfully arranged with both style and functionality in mind.

Cleanliness is absolutely top-notch. The bathing areas gleam, and there's clearly a lot of attention paid to maintaining both the retro design elements and the basic facilities. The onsen itself is a perfect temperature, and the water quality is excellent.

What really sets this place apart is how it manages to be both an art piece and a fully functional public bath. It's an experience that could only exist on Naoshima, where art and daily life merge so seamlessly.

Visit during off-peak hours to fully appreciate the design details while soaking in the onsen.

A must-visit for design enthusiasts and onsen...

I love you also...I've just found out that Sylvia Raphael was my mother...she was a friend of Fumiko Taoka...I've lived a colourful life...bath houses...and a pretty cool ceremony that happened to me back in the early 70s...Takiyasha was a Royal ...her father was a Samurai...Takiyasha happens to be my God...the same ceremony was done to me as a child...they drew pictures on me and then took me to a waterfall...they thought I was kintaro reincarnated...translated to English...Golden boy...my hair was blond...still is...my heritage is important to me...family....my mother was a teacher and a photographer also...im giving you this because I respect my heritage and what they did for us ...thats why I was givin the gone fishing tattoo...famous family saying...I still never show that tattoo in public...yet I'm extremely loyal to that particular tattoo...my family...

Went to have a look after a long day's walk around Naoshima. Had planned to go in for a bath but the prices were a rort. Obviously priced opportunistically for tourists.

From memory, it was ¥1450 for bath, towel, shampoo and soap. Around ¥500 for entry only. And for the shampoo and soap set, it was ¥500.

Problem is, for a normal sento, shampoo and soap is included in the price of entry. Here it was not. And you were not allowed in without it.

So if you did not have the preparation to carry both shampoo and soap to this sento (who does?), you'd have to pay ¥1000 to have a bath which is near extortionate. Even if you had the presence of mind to bring a towel.

I left disgusted as I loathe tourist traps and do not want to support their like.

The building itself is interesting with a mishmash of different things...