Iconic Kyoto Tower Bathhouse Closes Due To COVID-19

Situated across the street from the JR Kyoto Station is Kyoto Tower Hotel.

Above, Kyoto Tower Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A major part of the hotel is the public bathhouse, enjoyed by both travelers and locals for years.

It is closing forever, another casualty of the coronavirus.

SoraNews 24 reported:

This past year has been a tough one for businesses around the world, as the coronavirus pandemic put the brakes on international travel and halted regular operations, leaving many industries worse for wear.

One of the hardest hit has been the tourist industry, and in Japan tourist hotspots like Kyoto, which draws thousands of international visitors every year, has been feeling the strain, even setting up an “Empty” tourism campaign to lure local visitors to the region.

Unfortunately, the campaign hasn’t done enough to protect businesses in the area, and soon there’ll be a large public bathhouse-shaped hole in the heart of the city, with the announcement that Kyoto Tower bathhouse “Yuu” is set to close its doors forever. 

Yuu has long been loved by locals, guests staying at Kyoto Tower Hotel, located in the same complex, and bus travellers, who would use the baths to freshen up after long overnight bus trips arriving at Kyoto Station just across the road.

Godzilla fans should recognize Kyoto Tower. It was blasted by the "Big G" in Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II.

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