Kanazawa has many public bathhouses!

Kanazawa is one of the few cities in Japan that, despite being a central city in Ishikawa Prefecture, retains a strong public bathhouse culture. Kanazawa City has a scattered collection of unique public bathhouses, super sento, and hot spring facilities. Each facility has a completely different personality and charm, including places that open as early as 5 AM for morning baths, authentic hot springs with 100% free-flowing spring water, art bathhouses adorned with Kutani ware tiles (a traditional Kanazawa craft), and unique bathhouses that use Noto deep-sea water. Additionally, many public bathhouses in Kanazawa City offer the distinctive "moor springs" (coffee-colored water containing plant-derived organic matter), which are reputed to make the skin moist and smooth. One of the charms of Kanazawa's public bathhouses is that if you venture a little further from the central sightseeing areas of Kanazawa, you can discover hidden gems frequented by locals. Be sure to incorporate a public bathhouse visit into your travel plans!

9 Recommended Sento in Kanazawa

Matsu no Yu

Source: Nifty Onsen

Matsu no Yu, located on Seseragi-dori in the Nagamachi Buke Yashiki Ato (Samurai District) area, is a noteworthy Kanazawa sento that made a splendid comeback on November 26, 2022 (Good Bath Day), reviving a long-established bathhouse with over 70 years of history. Its excellent location, just a 5-minute walk from Korinbo, the central sightseeing area of Kanazawa, provides easy access to Kenrokuen Garden and Omicho Market, which is another reason for its popularity. The interior features original Kutani ware tiles crafted by Kanazawa artisans throughout, and the murals depicting Mount Fuji and a dragon in the men's bath and vibrant mandala patterns in the women's bath are a must-see. It's also fully equipped with a sauna compatible with self-löyly, a deep cold bath, and an outdoor bathing area for "getting in tune," making it highly satisfying for sauna enthusiasts. It is sure to attract continued attention as a new community spot in Kanazawa where locals and tourists can naturally interact.

Kinjo Onsen Motoyu

Source: Nifty Onsen

Kinjo Onsen Motoyu, located near the Hokuriku Expressway Kanazawa-Nishi IC, is an authentic hot spring public bathhouse that boasts one of the highest popularities in Kanazawa City. Its biggest appeal is the "lukewarm bath" with 100% free-flowing spring water. The main bath is around 38°C, making it easy to enter, and it is highly praised in reviews for its ability to gradually warm the body to the core the longer you soak. The spring water quality is sodium-bicarbonate/chloride, also known as "Beauty Hot Spring" for its purported skin-whitening and beautifying effects. It features a wide array of baths, including free-flowing hot springs, seated baths, jet baths, bubble baths, and open-air baths (summer only). On the second floor, there are 14 family baths, all with hot spring water, and special rooms with saunas or open-air baths are also available. It opens at 5 AM on Sundays, making it a recommended Kanazawa hot spring for those who want to enjoy a morning bath.

Kuwanayu

Kuwanayu, located in the Higashiyama area of Kanazawa, close to Higashi Chaya District, is a traditional public bathhouse that has been loved by locals for many years. It is a public bathhouse with a lived-in feel rooted in the Higashiyama area, which bustles with tourists, and it's a welcome relief to be able to relax your tired body after sightseeing in Kanazawa at a reasonable price. Its casual appeal lies in the ease with which you can drop by on your way back from exploring Higashi Chaya District, and you can also enjoy interacting with locals. It is also equipped with a sauna, allowing you to sweat thoroughly and refresh yourself at public bathhouse prices. The Higashiyama area is a popular spot with many classic Kanazawa tourist attractions, making it a perfect facility for travelers who want to experience Kanazawa's public bathhouse culture as part of their sightseeing. There are also 7 parking spaces nearby, making it accessible by car.

Yamato Onsen

Yamato Onsen, located in the Higashiyama area a short distance from Higashi Chaya District, is a unique Kanazawa public bathhouse that combines natural hot springs and art. At night, the passage is illuminated with neon art, creating a magical atmosphere as if inviting you into another world. The walls are adorned with large objects inspired by the Kotoji Toro (lantern) of Kenrokuen Garden, allowing visitors to feel the essence of Kanazawa throughout the facility. The baths use moor spring water (a light soy-sauce colored natural hot spring), and the un-diluted water at around 42°C thoroughly warms the body to its core. It is also equipped with a dry sauna and a cold bath. This facility is popular among foreign tourists, and an increasing number of travelers visit it in conjunction with sightseeing in Higashi Chaya District. There is a spacious parking lot behind the building, and it is accessible by car from the Higashi Inter Odori, making it convenient for drivers.

Arimatsu Onsen Lemon-yu

Source: Nifty Onsen

Arimatsu Onsen Lemon-yu, located in the Arimatsu area of Kanazawa City, is a public bathhouse proud of its coffee-colored natural medicinal hot spring. The hot spring, reputed to relieve fatigue, is a genuine one that is expected to be effective for various symptoms such as neuralgia, sensitivity to cold, and fatigue recovery. The general bathing area on the first floor features a main bath, massage baths, and a sauna with a TV, while the second floor offers six private family baths (two of which have saunas). It is also ideal for families with children or groups of friends who want to enjoy a private time. Access is good, approximately 30 minutes by bus from JR Kanazawa Station and about 3 minutes by car from the Arimatsu intersection, with 50 free parking spaces available. While maintaining reasonable public bathhouse prices, family baths are affordably priced starting from ¥1,700 for 1 hour (for up to 2 people). It is closed every Monday (open on holidays) and has been loved by the community throughout the year.

Share Kanazawa Natural Hot Spring

Source: Nifty Onsen

This natural hot spring public bathhouse is located within "Share Kanazawa," a multi-purpose community area in Wakamatsu-cho, Kanazawa City. It is a unique facility unlike any other, with a public bathhouse nestled within a "town" where various people, such as the elderly, university students, and people with disabilities, live and work together. The coffee-colored natural hot spring, a sodium chloride/bicarbonate spring that wells up from 600m underground, is highly praised for making skin smooth. It also features an open-air bath, allowing you to relax comfortably in a spacious environment. The vast grounds include the restaurant "Yabutan," the music live cafe "Mock," a dog run, and even an alpaca enclosure, making it enjoyable to explore the entire facility, not just the public bathhouse. Shampoo, conditioner, and body soap are provided, making it a popular local spot for easy visits. It is a hidden gem in the Tagami area where you can have a unique experience in Kanazawa City.

Pokapoka Moroe no Yu

Source: Nifty Onsen

"Pokapoka Moroe no Yu" boasts excellent accessibility, being just 2.5km (about 6 minutes by car) from Kanazawa Station. It's a popular public bathhouse in the Kanazawa City Eki-nishi area, also a 5-minute walk from Hokutetsu Asanogawa Line's Isobe Station. Its biggest feature is the bathwater using Noto deep-sea water. It uses Japan Sea unique water drawn from the deep sea off Ogikō, Noto Town, and is highly reputed for warming the body from the core. Operating from 6 AM until late at night, it caters to travelers who want to enjoy a morning bath. It boasts a comprehensive lineup including a sauna, cold bath, medicinal bath, jet and bubble baths. On the first floor, there's a stylish cafe-style lounge with hammock chairs and a kids' space. Daily changing baths (such as coffee baths, yuzu baths, which vary seasonally) are another highlight, and free Wi-Fi is available.

Waon no Yu

Source: Nifty Onsen

"Yukemuriyashiki Waon no Yu" is known as "the closest super sento to Kanazawa Station." Located just a 5-minute walk from Higashi-Kanazawa Station on the IR Ishikawa Railway Line, it offers excellent access from Kanazawa's sightseeing hubs. It operates from 5 AM until midnight (from 10 AM on Mondays), catering to a wide range of hours, from early morning baths to late-night soaks, which is a welcome feature. It boasts a variety of baths and saunas, characteristic of a super sento, including rock baths, pot baths, open-air baths, daily changing baths, high-concentration carbonated springs, a tower sauna, and an herbal medicinal sauna. The herbal medicinal sauna, where women can experience mud packs, is also popular. The "Waon-tei" restaurant is also attached, allowing visitors to enjoy a meal after bathing. Over 100 free parking spaces are available. It is also conveniently located 5-15 minutes by car from Higashi Chaya District and Kenrokuen Garden.

Rakuchin no Yu Kanazawa Branch

Located in the Okusa area of Kanazawa City, "Okusa Onma Onsen Rakuchin no Yu" is one of Kanazawa's premier super sento, where you can enjoy coffee-colored moor spring water. The moor spring water, which gushes from layers of plants and coal deep underground, is rich in plant-based organic matter such as "humic acid," which makes the skin incredibly smooth after bathing. In addition to a large public bath, a large open-air bath, pot baths, far-infrared saunas, and cold saunas, it also has a bedrock bath exclusively for women. Family baths are also available for up to 5 people, catering to groups and family trips. The surrounding area is well-equipped with supermarkets, electronics stores, and other amenities, making it convenient to combine shopping with a hot spring visit. With over 170 free parking spaces, it's also ideal for car access. Open year-round from 8 AM, it can be utilized for various travel scenarios.

Enjoy Kanazawa's Public Bathhouses to the Fullest!

We introduced 9 public bathhouses, super sento, and hot springs in Kanazawa. From cultural public bathhouses gleaming with Kutani ware tiles, to authentic hot springs with free-flowing water, unique bathhouses using Noto deep-sea water, and super sento where you can enjoy coffee-colored moor spring water, Kanazawa's bathing facilities are all so unique that one visit simply isn't enough. As a culmination of your Kanazawa sightseeing, or as a refreshing break to recover from travel fatigue, why not immerse yourself in "Kanazawa's hot springs" that locals regularly frequent? The depth of Kanazawa's public bathhouse culture lies in its ability to warm your heart at reasonable prices, which is a welcome bonus for travelers. Once you experience it, you'll surely want to visit Kanazawa again. Find your favorite public bathhouse and enrich your Kanazawa journey even more!