A Giant Whale Appears in Shibuya!? Feel Refreshed and Renewed at Kairyou-yu, a 110-Year-Old Designer Sento
When you think of Shibuya, the scramble crossing and cutting-edge shopping complexes probably come to mind. But this iconic neighborhood is also home to a rich tapestry of traditional culture.
Did you know that despite being at the forefront of trends, Shibuya Ward is currently home to 11 public bathhouses?
Today we’re spotlighting one of our neighborhood favorites—Kairyou-yu, a next-generation designer sento with 110 years of history.
A Giant Whale Marks the Spot! 110-Year-Old Designer Sento
Walk about five minutes from the hotel and you’ll spot it—a striking mural of a massive whale painted across the exterior wall.
This is Kairyou-yu, the sento we’re here to introduce.
Believe it or not, Kairyou-yu is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year. After a 2016 renovation, it was reborn as a chic, modern “designer sento.”
Step inside and you’ll feel like you’ve entered another dimension.
Most sentos are lit with bright white bulbs, but Kairyou-yu’s bathing area features subtle, dimmed indirect lighting. This softer ambiance has earned praise for creating a space where you can tune out your surroundings and truly sink into your own world.
It’s the perfect escape from the urban hustle—a place to relax both body and mind.
Tattoos Welcome! A Place Where Diverse Cultures Meet
For HOTEL GRAPHY SHIBUYA, which welcomes many international guests, one of the best features is that tattoos are allowed.
While many Japanese sentos turn away visitors with tattoos, Kairyou-yu embraces the concept of “Shibuya CROSSING—a sento where people and cultures intersect.” It’s an open, inclusive space that welcomes tattoos as a form of self-expression.
Premium Baths and Authentic Sauna for the Ultimate “Totonou” Experience
The water here is soft, with minimal irritation to the skin—similar to what’s known as “beauty bath water.”
There’s also a carbonated spring bath to promote circulation, plus a medium-temperature bath perfect for a long, leisurely soak.
The sauna (available for an additional fee) offers a powerful convection-style sauna for men and a rare kelo wood sauna for women. After working up a good sweat, you can cool down in the cold plunge and then head to the outdoor air bath area for the ultimate relaxation.
And Finally… Sento Etiquette Made Simple!
「Feeling a bit nervous about visiting a sento because you’re not sure about the unwritten rules? Don’t worry!
As long as you follow a few basic public manners to ensure everyone has a pleasant experience, anyone can enjoy this authentic local bath culture. Here are the “8 Essential Guidelines” to keep in mind.
- Wash your body before entering the bath: Always rinse off completely and clean yourself before getting into the communal tub.
- Keep towels out of the bath: Never dip your towel in the water. Rest it on your head or keep it outside the tub.
- Be mindful of your neighbors when using the shower: Make sure your shower spray doesn’t splash onto people around you.
- Return items to their place: Put wash basins, stools, hair dryers, and other items back where you found them.
- No laundry: Washing clothes in the bathing area is prohibited.
- Keep conversations considerate: Avoid loud talking and respect others’ quiet relaxation time.
- Fold your clothes and put them in the locker: Keep shared spaces tidy by neatly folding your clothes and storing them properly.
- Dry off before entering the changing area: Wipe yourself down lightly before leaving the bathing area to avoid getting the floors wet.
Follow these guidelines and enjoy a refreshing “totonou” experience that cleanses both body and spirit!
Kairyou-yu is where 110 years of history meets Shibuya’s modern cultural sensibility.
After a long day of exploring the city, why not go meet the giant whale?
When you stay at HOTEL GRAPHY SHIBUYA, we highly recommend spending some time at this exceptional sento to reset your mind and body.
Facility Information
- Facility Name: Kairyou-yu
- Address: 2-19-9 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Hours: 12:00–23:30 (Last entry 23:00)
- Closed: Saturdays
- Bathing Fee: Adults ¥550 / Junior High Students ¥400 / Elementary Students ¥200 / Preschoolers ¥100
- Sauna (separate from bathing fee): ¥550
- *Bathing only: 90 minutes / Sauna use: 120 minutes (men), 150 minutes (women)
- *Towel rentals, coin-operated hair dryers, and amenities available
- Access: 5-minute walk from HOTEL GRAPHY SHIBUYA
Opened in March 2024, HOTEL GRAPHY SHIBUYA is a hostel-style hotel where history and modernity coexist. Built directly above the underground Tokyu Toyoko Line, the space revives the story of the old elevated railway through design and art. Enjoy a special stay with a free-spirited atmosphere and a connection to Shibuya’s past.
Facility Overview
Facility Name: HOTEL GRAPHY SHIBUYA
Address: 1-29-3 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0011
Access: 7-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station (Shin-Minami Exit) / 9-minute walk from Shibuya Station C2 Exit (all lines) / 10-minute walk from Ebisu Station (all lines) / 11-minute walk from Daikanyama Station (Tokyu Toyoko Line)
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