By MOOK Scenic Spots Peichi | Compiled and Reported
An Sarasa Nishijin café nestled near the Kami-Gion Karasuma-guchi Station in Kyoto instantly draws attention with its distinctive exterior.The traditional old building not only fills visitors with a nostalgic feeling, but fans of Studio Ghibli animations will surely be reminded of scenes from the famous film “Spirited Away.”
The exterior of Sarasa Nishijin in Kyoto resembles a scene from the animated movie Spirited Away (Image / Spirited Away, Sarasa Nishijin)
It turns out this Sarasa Nishijin café was once a traditional Japanese public bathhouse.It retains both the original elements and exterior of the bathhouse, and the nostalgic look of the old building gives off a very unique vibe. The bathhouse from the film “Spirited Away,” run by the witch Yubaba, instantly comes to mind, making you feel as if you’ve stepped right into an anime scene.
The SARASA Nishijin café was originally a Japanese public bathhouse, now transformed into a distinctive old-building café (Image / SARASA Nishijin)
Throughout the changing seasons, SARASA Nishijin offers different nostalgic experiences, with the snow-covered view of the bathhouse café being especially enchanting (Image / SARASA Nishijin)
The interior of SARASA Nishijin café preserves elements of the old bathhouse, with walls adorned with majolica tiles that give off an Oriental atmosphere.The layout inside also reveals the former design of separating male and female areas in the old bathhouse. The mirror from the old changing room is still on the wall, not only creating a retro ambiance but also allowing visitors to slowly uncover the mysteries of traditional Japanese bathhouses.
The café’s walls feature majolica tiles with an Oriental feel from the old bathhouse, showcasing a distinctive character and nostalgic charm unlike other cafés (Image / SARASA Nishijin)
The high, open-ceiling design—originally built to let the steam from the bathhouse dissipate—has also been preserved. Now, the skylight allows soft natural sunlight to stream directly into the café, giving it a naturally bright atmosphere.
The preserved high ceiling, originally designed to let steam escape from the old bathhouse, now brings in natural light, providing excellent illumination (Image / Sarasa Nishijin)
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