Hello Matsumoto fans, how are you doing?
It’s the end of February and winter is coming to an end. (Or is it?)

I think one thing I like about Matsumoto is going to a sento (public bath house) in the evening and being able to return home on foot. My friends are surprised because they understand the appeal of going to hot springs but sento is just a bath house with warmed up water.
However, it is really cold to take a shower in my apartment. That is why I enjoy going to the bath place, having time to change in a warm changing room, and taking a hot bath that can help me sleep better in winter.

Before coming to Japan, I had not noticed how big of a difference it makes to take a bath before going to bed when it’s cold.

I have to say that this sento that I am about to introduce is not just regular water, but cold spring water that gets warmed up in the establishment and its medical properties are certified. My friend told me that the cat of the establishment drinks this water every day and is now 25 years old. That is 120 in cat years?

This is Shioi no Yu, founded in the Meiji era. It is now older than 100 years and I really love the water here – to bathe not to drink-.
The building is old but clean. It is an old style sento with only one bandai (bandai is the person at the entrance). It can appear intimidating but the bandai lady is a nice person and can speak enough English to explain the rules to you.

This is an old sento, remember to greet when you enter and leave!
You can say konbanwa and oyasuminasai.

The price is 500 yen, free towel and free soap are included. T
It’s open until 10 PM, which is perfect if you had a long day.

Nearby there is also a little park which used to be part of Matsumoto Castle (I bet you wouldn’t have found this one).

Unfortunately, I cannot take pictures inside the sento establishment, but you can go and find out on your own the atmosphere of this historical place!

Address:
Shioi no Yu, Ote 3-6-3 Matsumoto