A Century of Presence: Yotsuya Shioyu

Exit Yotsuya Station Kojimachi Gate and cross Gaien-Higashi Street, and you will see a charming side street.

and walk for a little while.

On your right, Shioyu awaits.

It has a cozy entrance, and at your feet, there is a well-maintained small courtyard garden there.

The bathroom is compact with 15 shower stations.
There are four bathtubs: medicinal bath (binchotan charcoal), jet bath, vibra bath, and cold water bath.
Each is also compact, sized for two people.

The water temperature is around 42 degrees Celsius. The cold bath is around 22 degrees.
This is also compact (or rather, gentle).

As I looked up while feeling relaxed, the ceiling was a mint-chocolate color.
This is a common color in Tokyo public baths. The walls are tiled in a pale yellow.
The tile mural depicts Alpine-like mountains and a lake. Everything is in colors that are easy on the eyes.

At 3:30 in the afternoon, seven or eight local veterans come and go.
While soaking in the tub, feeling even more relaxed, I realized something.
The sounds reaching my ears are gentle. Why is that...

Ah, perhaps that's it. I don't hear any jarring noises.
In any public bath, you might hear the sound of showers left running,
the splashing sound of someone washing their hair vigorously, which can be grating.
That is absent here.
Even the sounds are compact (laughs).
As expected of Yotsuya, a town of old Edo. It seems there are no ill-mannered people among the locals.

When I left the bath, I discovered a small notice at the entrance: "100 years in business."

That's wonderful. Rather than "100 years of pride," I feel "100 years of gratitude."
Shioyu truly cherishes the local people.

Come to think of it, above and below the lockers in the changing room, the regulars' "bath sets" were lined up. There were roughly 40 of them.

They aren't paid lockers; they are just left there.
Yet, they are lined up neatly.
The local people also cherish Shioyu.

The veterans I met today might have been soaking in Shioyu since they were toddlers. The etiquette of bathing learned from their parents might be ingrained in them.

Shioyu has been loved by the locals and has helped raise them.
It is a public bath where you can feel a century of presence within its compact space.

Thank you, Shioyu. It was a wonderful bath.