Closing in 2018, Then Beginning a New Chapter
After more than a century of history, Ichinoyu closed at the end of 2018. However, the story of the bathhouse did not end there.
A revitalization project was launched with the involvement of Mao Yamamoto, who had moved from Saitama Prefecture to Kiryu, together with support from CICAC Inc., an IT company based in Honcho, Kiryu.
Through the cooperation of local residents and new community members, the historic bathhouse was brought back to life. The building’s traditional atmosphere was preserved as much as possible, while the renewed Ichinoyu took on a new role as more than simply a place to bathe.
Today, it represents a community space that brings people together, connecting Kiryu’s past with its present and future.
Gentle Heat from a Traditional Wood-Fired Boiler
A Rare Wood-Fired Sento in Modern Japan
One of Ichinoyu’s most distinctive features is its wood-fired bathing water. In Japan, many modern bathhouses now use gas boilers or other modern heating systems, making traditional wood-fired bathhouses increasingly uncommon.
At Ichinoyu, a traditional wood-burning boiler is used to heat the water gradually. Controlling the temperature of a wood-fired boiler requires considerable experience, but this traditional method is part of what gives the bathhouse its distinctive character.
Characteristics of the Traditional Wood-Fired Bath
The water heated by the wood-fired boiler is traditionally appreciated for its gentle feel and natural warmth. The slow heating process also creates a bathing experience that feels closely connected with the traditional atmosphere of the bathhouse.
Rather than simply providing a modern bathing facility, Ichinoyu preserves the experience of a traditional Japanese sento, where the warmth of the bath is closely associated with the warmth of the surrounding community.
For visitors who are interested in Japanese bathing culture, experiencing a wood-fired bathhouse can be a particularly memorable way to encounter an aspect of everyday life that is becoming increasingly rare.
Kiryu Shinmachi — A Historic Town with 400 Years of History
The Birth of a Textile Town
Ichinoyu is located in Kiryu Shinmachi, a historic district whose origins date back approximately 400 years. During the Tensho era, the town was developed under the authority of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Parts of Arato Village and Kubo Village in the former Yamada District of Kozuke Province were used to establish the settlement, which was initially known as Arato Shinmachi. As Kiryu’s textile industry developed, the area became known as Kiryu Shinmachi and grew into an important center of the Ryomo textile-producing region.
The basic town layout was established between 1591 and 1606. A main road was widened to approximately five ken, while narrow rectangular plots measuring roughly six ken across and 40 ken deep were arranged along both sides.
Much of this historic land division remains visible today, making Kiryu Shinmachi particularly valuable for understanding the development of traditional Japanese merchant and manufacturing towns.
Important Preservation District and Japan Heritage Site
In 2012, Kiryu Shinmachi was selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, a designation used by the Japanese government to protect historic townscapes.
In 2015, the district also became part of the Japan Heritage story “Kakaa Denka — The Silk Story of Gunma”, which highlights Gunma’s history of silk production and the important role of women and families in the textile industry.
Throughout the district, visitors can find traditional main houses, row houses, storehouses, sawtooth-roof factories, gates, walls, wells, and small shrines. Together, these structures preserve the historical character of a town that developed around textile manufacturing.
Sawtooth-Roof Factories — Symbols of Kiryu’s Textile Heritage
Architecture Designed for Textile Production
One of the most striking features of Kiryu Shinmachi is the collection of traditional sawtooth-roof factories. Their roofs form a repeated pattern resembling the teeth of a saw.
Windows were traditionally placed along the north-facing slopes of the roofs to provide stable natural light. This helped create suitable working conditions for textile production and the inspection of woven fabrics.
Historic examples include the former Soga Textile Factory, built with Oya stone, and the former Kinpo Textile Factory, constructed of brick. Each building has its own architectural character.
Some of these historic industrial buildings have been given new purposes as event venues, cafés, and bakeries. Their continued use demonstrates how Kiryu’s industrial heritage can coexist with contemporary life.
Kiryu Tenmangu Shrine and Local Festivals
A Historic Shrine Across from Ichinoyu
Directly across from Ichinoyu stands Kiryu Tenmangu Shrine, traditionally regarded as one of the five major Tenmangu shrines in the Kanto region.
The shrine buildings were constructed between 1778 and 1793 and are designated Important Cultural Properties by Gunma Prefecture. Their Gongen-zukuri architectural style is richly decorated with intricate carvings, making the shrine an impressive stop while exploring Kiryu Shinmachi.
An antique market is held at the shrine on the first Saturday of each month, bringing local residents and visitors together among the historic shrine buildings.
Kiryu Yagibushi Festival
From the first Friday in August for three days, the city center becomes the setting for the Kiryu Yagibushi Festival. Streets are closed to vehicles, and traditional Yagibushi music and dancing fill the historic center with energy.
During the festival, Ichinoyu participates by offering “Furumai-yu,” or complimentary bathing water. Participants carrying portable shrines can stop at the bathhouse to wash away sweat and refresh themselves.
This connection between local festivals and public bathing culture creates a particularly distinctive scene in Kiryu, where traditional community customs remain connected with everyday life.
A Walking Route through Historic Kiryu Shinmachi
Approximately 1.3 km and 90 Minutes on Foot
A convenient way to experience the area is to begin at Kiryu Station and explore Kiryu Shinmachi on foot. A walking route of approximately 1.3 kilometers can be completed in around 90 minutes, depending on the time spent at each stop.
Possible highlights along the route include Yurinkan, the former Kakiage Shop, the former Soga Textile Factory, Kiryu Tenmangu Shrine, the Kiryu Alumni Memorial Hall of Gunma University Faculty of Engineering, and Bakery Cafe Renga.
After exploring the historic streets, ending the walk with a relaxing bath at Ichinoyu provides a memorable combination of history, traditional manufacturing culture, and local hospitality.
Respecting the Historic Neighborhood
Many of the buildings within the Important Preservation District are still privately owned and used as homes or workplaces. Visitors should therefore avoid entering private properties without permission.
When taking photographs, it is also important to respect residents and ask for permission when necessary. Following these simple guidelines helps preserve the peaceful atmosphere of Kiryu Shinmachi while allowing future visitors to enjoy its historic character.
Keeping the Warmth of the Town and Its Baths Alive
Kiryu became known as a major textile-producing city and was sometimes described as “Nishijin in the west, Kiryu in the east,” referring to two historic centers of Japanese textile production.
At the heart of this historic townscape, Kiryu Shinmachi still preserves the urban structure established around four centuries ago. Traditional houses, textile factories, shrines, and other historic buildings provide a tangible connection with the people who built their lives around the silk industry.
Ichinoyu is part of this living history. Its traditional wooden atmosphere, wood-fired boiler, and role as a gathering place reflect the everyday culture of Kiryu as much as its famous textile factories do.
For international visitors, a visit to Ichinoyu offers an opportunity to experience a side of Japan that cannot be found simply by viewing historic monuments. Here, traditional bathing culture, industrial heritage, historic streets, and local community life come together in one place.
After walking through the historic streets of Kiryu Shinmachi, stepping into the warm waters of this traditional bathhouse provides a simple but memorable way to experience the continuing connection between Kiryu’s past and its present.