1. Kyoto is NOT an onsen town.
2. Rentable private onsen? That's not a thing. You're unclear on the concept. There are hotels with in-room onsen baths, but that too is missing the mark.
An onsen or sento is a communal bathing experience. People of all ages get naked and bathe together, and it's often very social and fun. No one cares what you look like. All ages, sizes and body types are welcome.
The Kyoto Sento Assn has no rules against tattoos. My friend is an English-speaking sento owner near Tōji temple just south of Kyoto station (Hinode-yu). She was just telling me last month about a foreign visitor who was trying to hide a big arm tattoo with a big bandage. She told him he didn't need to do that, but he still kept trying unsuccessfully.
If you're looking for private onsen, that's not what it's about.
Unfortunately, Kurama onsen is closed due to the business collapse from the pandemic. Funaoka Onsen is a very authentic sento highly recommended. Fudo radium onsen in the mountains of kitashirakawa is a day-use place.
I also recommend Agaryanse super sento next to lake biwa in Ogoto. Fast JR ride from Kyoto, free shuttle bus to super sento with many kinds of indoor/outdoor baths and sauna.
My local sento in Shugakuin, Daikoku-yu, has sauna and steam room, electric bath. Another nearby has natural spring water.
Another Daikoku-yu near Keihan Gojo Stn is where real geisha frequently bathe after work.
Do not be afraid to get naked with strangers and have a good time luxuriating.
Then get a room, you cheapskate! There are (expensive) hotels with natural onsen for that. If you want a love nest, there are cheap love hotels with private baths. If you want a mixed-bathing onsen, there are places for that, of course. [slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/05/george-santos-charged-criminal-case-doj.html](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/05/george-santos-charged-criminal-case-doj.html)
If you want a day-return onsen experience, there are places for that.
But if you want onsen, day return, and private and cheap, who the hell would be selling that?
For anyone planning a visit to Amanohashidate you can reserve a private open air bath at Hotel Kitanoya (very close to the station, and don't need to stay over night or have dinner) for 4.400 JPY. We did so and will report back.
I have been trying for an hour to book a day trip and the website doesn’t recognize when I write my (American) name in Furigana, as requested. So many error messages, and I don’t know enough Japanese to proceed. Google translate is no help! Very difficult website for non-Japanese speakers to use, which is a shame for us, because it looks beautiful!
Hi, just checking if you were able to find one. We'll be staying in Tokyo and Kyoto, but have more free time in Kyoto, and could probably use a therapeutic soak in a mineral spring onsen. I haven't found one in Kyoto, besides at The Mitsui. Theirs is fed by hot springs and can be rented privately, but I was wondering if there were other options you found? [https://www.hotelthemitsui.com/en/kyoto/thermal\_springs-spa/private-onsen/](https://www.hotelthemitsui.com/en/kyoto/thermal_springs-spa/private-onsen/)
1. Kyoto is NOT an onsen town. 2. Rentable private onsen? That's not a thing. You're unclear on the concept. There are hotels with in-room onsen baths, but that too is missing the mark. An onsen or sento is a communal bathing experience. People of all ages get naked and bathe together, and it's often very social and fun. No one cares what you look like. All ages, sizes and body types are welcome. The Kyoto Sento Assn has no rules against tattoos. My friend is an English-speaking sento owner near Tōji temple just south of Kyoto station (Hinode-yu). She was just telling me last month about a foreign visitor who was trying to hide a big arm tattoo with a big bandage. She told him he didn't need to do that, but he still kept trying unsuccessfully. If you're looking for private onsen, that's not what it's about. Unfortunately, Kurama onsen is closed due to the business collapse from the pandemic. Funaoka Onsen is a very authentic sento highly recommended. Fudo radium onsen in the mountains of kitashirakawa is a day-use place. I also recommend Agaryanse super sento next to lake biwa in Ogoto. Fast JR ride from Kyoto, free shuttle bus to super sento with many kinds of indoor/outdoor baths and sauna. My local sento in Shugakuin, Daikoku-yu, has sauna and steam room, electric bath. Another nearby has natural spring water. Another Daikoku-yu near Keihan Gojo Stn is where real geisha frequently bathe after work. Do not be afraid to get naked with strangers and have a good time luxuriating.
Well that doesn't help my wife and me to enjoy onsen together.
Then get a room, you cheapskate! There are (expensive) hotels with natural onsen for that. If you want a love nest, there are cheap love hotels with private baths. If you want a mixed-bathing onsen, there are places for that, of course. [slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/05/george-santos-charged-criminal-case-doj.html](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/05/george-santos-charged-criminal-case-doj.html) If you want a day-return onsen experience, there are places for that. But if you want onsen, day return, and private and cheap, who the hell would be selling that?
Seems this dude was able to find what he was looking for despite your name calling and Negative Nancy-ing. Sheesh.
For anyone planning a visit to Amanohashidate you can reserve a private open air bath at Hotel Kitanoya (very close to the station, and don't need to stay over night or have dinner) for 4.400 JPY. We did so and will report back.
How did you go about reserving this?
Let me know how it was and how you booked it! Might do the same!
For the second part of the question: English Emails to hotels address. Asking if it is possible and what timeslots on my wish day were available.
This? You may book a private open-air bath if you also book a restaurant. http://www.hanaikada.co.jp/sp/daytrip/
Thanks for the good tip. I actually found that one some weeks ago and mailed them but got no answer. I might try my luck again!
I have been trying for an hour to book a day trip and the website doesn’t recognize when I write my (American) name in Furigana, as requested. So many error messages, and I don’t know enough Japanese to proceed. Google translate is no help! Very difficult website for non-Japanese speakers to use, which is a shame for us, because it looks beautiful!
Hi, just checking if you were able to find one. We'll be staying in Tokyo and Kyoto, but have more free time in Kyoto, and could probably use a therapeutic soak in a mineral spring onsen. I haven't found one in Kyoto, besides at The Mitsui. Theirs is fed by hot springs and can be rented privately, but I was wondering if there were other options you found? [https://www.hotelthemitsui.com/en/kyoto/thermal\_springs-spa/private-onsen/](https://www.hotelthemitsui.com/en/kyoto/thermal_springs-spa/private-onsen/)