Yamashiro Onsen Kosouyu

Kosouyu (古総湯) is Yamashiro Onsen's historic communal bathhouse, rebuilt to its Meiji-era form. The two-storey wooden building is known for its stained glass windows and Kutani-ware floor and wall tiles restored to their original design. There are no showers or soap here, just a single hot soaking bath per gender, fed by kakenagashi (かけ流し, free-flowing spring water). The water runs quite hot and bathes can be short as a result. A small rest area on the second floor connects the men's and women's sides. The modern So-yu (総湯), across the street, has washing facilities for those who want to scrub before soaking.