Beyond the Bath: More Ways to Relax at Tatsumi-yu
Published: November 13, 2026
※For this article, we conducted a follow-up interview and will focus on new initiatives and changes that have taken place since our previous coverage.
※Prices are subject to change from those in effect at the time of the interview. Please contact the store directly for the latest information.
While exploring the streets of Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, you may find yourself wanting to stop by a local sento, or traditional Japanese public bathhouse. One such place is Tatsumi-yu.
The first thing you notice upon entering the bathing area is how spacious and open it feels. A high, double-height ceiling and a spacious bath come into view, making you want to exclaim, “It’s huge!”
When people think of a sento, they often imagine a compact space with several bathtubs lined up side by side. At Tatsumi-yu, however, the spacious bath allows visitors to stretch out and enjoy a relaxing soak.
Another feature that immediately catches the eye is the tile artwork decorating the walls. The men’s bathing area features Under the Mannen Bridge at Fukagawa, depicting Fukagawa Mannen Bridge, a well-known local landmark in Koto City. The women’s bathing area features Fine Wind, Clear Morning, also known as Red Fuji. Both murals are inspired by Katsushika Hokusai’s famous series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.
While soaking in the bath and admiring these impressive murals, an ordinary visit to the sento can begin to feel like a little journey. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of baths, including reclining baths, electric baths, and whirlpool baths.
▲The men’s bathing area features a spacious bath, a high ceiling, and a large mural of Under the Mannen Bridge at Fukagawa.
▲The women’s bathing area features Fine Wind, Clear Morning, also known as Red Fuji. Admiring it from the bath offers a unique experience.
■Relax in the Semi-Open-Air Bath Overlooking a Courtyard Garden
After warming up in the large bath, head to the semi-open-air bath.
Tatsumi-yu has separate semi-open-air baths for men and women, each offering a more peaceful atmosphere than the main bathing area.
In front of you is a small Japanese courtyard garden. Being able to soak in the warm water while enjoying the fresh air and looking at the greenery is one of its charms. It is easy to forget that you are in a sento in the middle of the city. The open view adds to the sense of spaciousness, making you want to stay for just one more soak.
A cold bath is also located nearby, and visitors can often be seen moving between the sauna and the cold bath. Whether you cool down after a satisfying sauna session or simply relax in the warm water, this is a place where everyone can find their own way to unwind.
▲Relax in the semi-open-air bath while enjoying views of the courtyard garden. Despite its location in the city, the space has the peaceful atmosphere of a hidden retreat.
■Enjoy the Sauna and Take Your Time
In addition to its large bath and semi-open-air baths, Tatsumi-yu also offers sauna facilities.
In recent years, more people have been visiting specifically for the sauna, and the number of sauna enthusiasts among Tatsumi-yu’s guests has also been growing.
The men’s sauna features an automatic löyly system that periodically releases steam. The women’s sauna, which is slightly larger than the men’s, is equipped with a vihta (a bundle of leafy branches used in sauna bathing) and aromatic water. Pouring the aromatic water over the vihta gently fills the room with fragrance, adding to the relaxing sauna experience.
However, Tatsumi-yu values more than just the sauna.
Their philosophy is that guests should not simply enjoy the sauna and leave. Instead, they hope visitors will take their time and enjoy the baths and relaxation spaces as well.
After spending time in the sauna, guests can cool off in the cold bath, take a break in the semi-open-air area, and then head to the relaxation space. Moving around the facility at their own pace and enjoying each area is very much part of the Tatsumi-yu experience.
▲The men’s sauna features an automatic löyly system, while the women’s sauna offers a vihta and aromatic water. The sauna surcharge is ¥500 and includes a face towel and a bath towel.
■A Hidden, Cave-Like Relaxation Space
If you visit Tatsumi-yu, there is one spot you should definitely seek out: the relaxation area beside the men’s semi-open-air bath.
With bookshelves full of manga and comfortable sofas, this space has a cozy hideaway feel. Tucked away in a quiet corner, it almost feels like stepping into a hidden cave.
After bathing, settling into one of the sofas makes it feel as though the outside world has drifted far away. It is surprisingly comfortable, and you may find it hard to leave.
The manga collection is also impressively extensive. Once you pick up a volume that catches your attention, you may find it difficult to put down.
Rather than simply thinking, “I’ve had my bath, so it’s time to go home,” this is the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer. After enjoying the large bath, the semi-open-air bath, and the sauna, visitors can settle down with a manga and enjoy some more relaxing time.
▲A relaxation space next to the semi-open-air bath, filled with manga. With its cave-like atmosphere, it is the kind of place where you can easily lose track of time.
■Gradual Improvements Starting with Seismic Reinforcement
The comfort visitors enjoy at Tatsumi-yu today did not appear overnight.
A major turning point came with a seismic reinforcement project that strengthened the structure while preserving the existing building.
Because the bathhouse remained open during construction, the work was carefully managed to minimize inconvenience to customers. This included alternating the use of the men’s and women’s bathing areas on different days.
Even after the reinforcement work was completed, improvements continued little by little. Floors, walls, lockers, air-conditioning systems, chairs, and sofas were updated one by one whenever improvements were needed.
Rather than replacing everything old with something new, Tatsumi-yu has preserved the building’s character while adapting it for modern use. This steady accumulation of improvements has contributed greatly to the comfortable atmosphere visitors enjoy today.
The women’s changing room became noticeably more spacious as a result of the seismic reinforcement work. In the men’s changing room, structural elements added during the reinforcement work have been painted white, giving the space an artistic appearance.
▲The spacious women’s changing room created through seismic reinforcement work.
▲The men’s changing room features structural elements incorporated into an art-like design.
■More Young Visitors and People Coming from Farther Away
The people who visit Tatsumi-yu today are somewhat different from those of the past.
Along with the growing popularity of saunas, increasing numbers of people have been visiting the Kiyosumi-Shirakawa area. As a result, younger guests, visitors from farther away, and international travelers have become a more common sight.
In addition to long-time regulars, a new generation of sento fans has begun to discover Tatsumi-yu.
Many international visitors even research bathhouse etiquette and customs before arriving. Their willingness to learn beforehand reflects the growing interest people around the world have in Japanese bathhouse culture.
On Saturdays and Sundays, Tatsumi-yu opens at 11:00 a.m. Some guests even line up before opening time. Opening at 11:00 a.m. on weekends also helps ease congestion.
Tatsumi-yu has a clean, modern exterior. If you happen to walk by and find yourself wondering, “Is this really a bathhouse?”, it is well worth stepping inside to see for yourself.
▲The clean, modern exterior of Tatsumi-yu. Its inviting appearance makes it easy to stop by during a day of exploring the neighborhood.
■A Small Community Market at the Entrance
Coin laundries are located on both sides of Tatsumi-yu’s entrance.
While many people visit simply to do their laundry, the entrance area also serves as a small community gathering place.
Markets and other events are held there from time to time. On one occasion, vendors from Gunma Prefecture were invited to sell Shine Muscat grapes directly to visitors.
You might discover something unexpected while stopping by for a bath. Or local residents may find themselves connecting through the bathhouse.
Tatsumi-yu hopes to be more than just a place to bathe. It also wants to be a welcoming spot where local people can meet, connect, and spend time together.
■Take a Bath, Read Some Manga, and Stay a While
Stretch out in the large bath and admire the tile murals. Take a break in the semi-open-air bath overlooking the courtyard garden, then spend some time unwinding in the sauna. Afterwards, head to the cave-like relaxation space.
As you move from one area to another, time seems to pass surprisingly quickly.
Tatsumi-yu is not aiming to be a bathhouse where people simply wash up and head home. The large bath, the semi-open-air bath, the sauna, and the hidden relaxation space are all connected by a shared idea: encouraging guests to slow down and stay awhile.
While preserving the charm of a traditional sento, Tatsumi-yu has continued to make thoughtful updates where needed. Those steady efforts have helped create the welcoming atmosphere that attracts visitors of all ages today.
After a day exploring Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, why not wind down with a visit to Tatsumi-yu? Settle down with a manga after your bath, and you may find yourself wanting to linger in the neighborhood just a little longer.
※Information is based on September 2026. Prices, operating hours, and other details may change. Please verify with the class directly.
※All amounts mentioned in the article are inclusive of taxes.
