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Tokyo’s traditional bathhouses going through a tough time is hardly news – ownership succession issues, rising energy costs, ageing facilities and declining usage mean that more and more sento are going out of business.
Even so, some public baths are finding ways to stay relevant. Koganeyu in Kinshicho is one such example: having reinvented the sento experience with features like a DJ booth and an in-house taproom serving craft beer, it’s successfully adapting tradition for a new generation.
Now Koganeyu is taking its winning concept to the other side of town. Set to open at the end of May on the former site of Kanazawa-yu – a charming neighbourhood sento in Higashi Shinjuku that closed in June last year – Koganeyu’s first branch bathhouse is aiming to deliver an elevated public bath experience.
While it’s built around the core sento offering, the facility will incorporate novel ventures, from a beer bar pouring exclusive brews to a significantly expanded sauna and cold plunge area. Rather than being subjected to a complete overhaul, the 50-year-old bathhouse is being carefully renovated to preserve its original tile mural and distinctive sloped ceiling, maintaining a sense of familiarity for long-time patrons while introducing newcomers to the depth of sento culture.
Branding is being handled by artist Michiko Takahashi, who also worked on Koganeyu’s original location, while architect Yuko Nagayama, known for her work on the Women’s Pavilion at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo as well as the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, will design the interior.
The facility is also set to become the first privately operated sento to introduce eco-friendly equipment powered by solar heat. Sun-heated water will be used in the baths and showers, cutting CO2 emissions by approximately 38 percent and positioning the bathhouse as a model for sustainability-conscious soaking.
As is customary at sento, bathing tickets will be available on site once the facility opens, with a bath costing ¥550 (for junior high school students and above). A separate fee is required to use the sauna. Unlike many other bathhouses in Japan, Koganeyu doesn’t have any rules against tattoos, so inked bathers are welcome, too. For the latest updates ahead of the late-May opening, keep an eye on the facility’s Instagram.
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