Scene from Spirited Away appears in Kyoto? Yubaba’s Bathhouse Transformed into a Popular Café

Text & Photos /Maji Bunny

Taiwan’s popular trend of revitalizing old buildings has long been part of daily life in Kyoto. Every time I visit Kyoto, I make a point to seek out restaurants and hotels housed in historic architecture to soak in that traditional Japanese vibe. Only Kyoto can effortlessly preserve such a strong essence of traditional Japanese culture.

This 【Sarasa Nishijin Café】, a building with over 80 years of history, was originally the “Fujinomori” public bathhouse, located in the “Funao Onsen Street” area (where many historic buildings and Funao Onsen still remain today). In 2000, it was renovated as one of the CAFE SARASA series — 【Sarasa Nishijin Café】. In addition to retaining the exterior of a traditional Japanese building, the interior also preserves the structure, spatial divisions, beautiful tiles, and ceilings of the former public bathhouse, giving it a very nostalgic atmosphere.

Due to online rumors that the building’s exterior closely resembles Yubaba’s Bathhouse from the movie Spirited Away, it has attracted many fans to visit. It’s said that business is booming now, even attracting hosts from “Traveler’s Bistro.” When I visited in 2012, however, there weren’t many people, making it very quiet, and I spent a relaxing and pleasant afternoon there.

% The 【Sarasa Nishijin Café】 really resembles Yubaba’s Bathhouse from Spirited Away. Comparing the photos, it’s a simplified version, but this bathhouse design is actually quite refined.

% To get there, get off at “Daikakuji-mae” Station and walk about 10 minutes following the map. (The official website has a map)

% It's near residential housing, so it's a quiet spot.

% There's a slope along the way.

% This slope is actually the highlight. It's not very steep, but you won't see it often, and being able to climb it makes the visit more memorable.

% I think the slope is quite charming. You don’t see many around anymore, and being able to climb one feels special. I hope you all get to try it too.

% The desserts made here are also very lovely.

% There are also some savory snacks available.

% The tea served here is excellent. The interior has a lot of character, creating a unique café atmosphere.

% The most impressive thing about this café is honestly those beautiful mosaic tiles.

% The most beautiful mosaic tiles are right there on the walls.

% The beautiful blue mosaic tiles form a striking contrast against the white walls.

% What used to be simple tiles have now become a distinctive feature of this place, contributing to its unique development.

% You can also see remnants of the old building mixed in with the new. I wonder if they didn’t renovate those parts because of budget constraints. That’s just my guess.

% The beams are from the original structure, and I think they’re quite charming. The high ceiling and wooden beams give a very open feel.

% The high ceiling remains unchanged.

% The café offers plenty of sweets. They’re not overly sweet either, so they go down really easily.

% We mainly came here for an afternoon tea. But to be honest, I’m not a big fan of the coffee, haha. The cake was okay though. Since we didn’t have a meal, you all will have to try it out for yourselves.

% I agree, the coffee’s just too bitter for me.

% February is full of Christmas cheer, which always feels joyful.

CAFE SARASA 【Sarasa Nishijin Café】
Official website:CAFE SARASA Sarasa Nishijin
Address: 11-1, Fujinomoricho, Kitanouji, Kita-ku, Kyoto City
(I got off at the "Daitokuji-mae" bus stop. The official website has a map—please make good use of the map and Google Maps for navigation.)
TEL: 075-432-5075
Transportation: Take the city bus to "Horikawa Kuramaguchi," "Senbon Kuramaguchi," or "Odakyu Line..." (approx. 10 minutes)

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