Ryugu Onsen — Local services in Kyoto

I love onsen, I love sauna, I love the peace it puts into my soul. On my business trip to Japan I took a couple of relax days out of a busy schedule and I spent them in Kyoto. I am very glad I did. In the neighborhood where I stayed I found Ryugu Onsen and it was just what the doctor ordered.

Yes, the water is hot, the sauna is hot, the plunge is cold, exactly what you would hope to find.

The highlight for me though was the immersion into a historical spa experience, one that is brutally local. For many decades patrons have come here and enjoyed it the exact same way, worn the same surfaces, using identical rituals. Check out the key to the locker. So, take time and watch how the regulars do this, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation of traditional onsen culture. Even though I clearly stood out as different, people were nothing but kind. They shifted a little to the side with a subtle smile, and made room for a new face. Full stars for the experience, without the...

We had a great time at Ryugu Onsen for only 430¥, everything included. There is a large variety of bathes (cold, hot, bubble-bath, electrified and medicinal) as well as a sauna and a hammam, making it more a sento than an onsen. The people there gave us advices on how to wash ourselves in the right way and how to use the bathes. Another good thing for our first public bath experience was the fact that there was very few people (max 8 in the men section and 5 in the women section).If you need you can buy towels...

I felt that I wasn't welcome, the customers (especially older ones) seem racist and mean to outsiders, the place was in much worse and dirtier condition than the picture shows and if you happen to choose this spa, bring your own towel and detergents, the towel for rent is a...