Hotta-yu

Communal bathhouse Hotta-yu has been a staple in Nishi-Arai for well over 80 years. In 2022, it underwent a renovation that catapulted it into the sauna big leagues. The spacious bath and shower area is adorned with massive tile paintings: cherry blossoms and Mt Fuji on the men’s side, and Utagawa Hiroshige’s Great Hashi of a Thousand Pillars on the women’s side.

In the herbal sauna, a glass orb hangs over the heat source to brew tea leaves or citrus peels, actively steaming aroma throughout the room. The scents change almost daily, so be sure to check the calendar on their Instagram if you have a preference. Outside, you’ll find a cold plunge, rest chairs and an outdoor bath shaded by a large citrus tree. Sit and stare up at the open sky or watch the leaves sway in the breeze as you nod off. 

Hotta-yu is an extraordinary sento that’s worth the trek.