An old sento (public bath) decorated with tile mosaics that has been turned into a café, Sarasa Nishijin is one of Kyoto’s most interesting restaurants.
We always feel conflicted when we go into Saraca Nishijin: one on hand, it’s about the coolest café in town, on the other hand, it used to be one of the most beautiful sento (public baths) in the city.
Still, there’s no point in crying over spilt bath water and Saraca Nishijin is well worth a visit. The menu is pretty traditional café fare and the service can be irregular, but it’s such a fascinating space that waiting a few extra minutes for your drink is no hardship.
English address:
11-1 Higashi Fujinomori-cho, Murasakino, Kita-ku
Japanese address:
北区紫野東藤ノ森町11-1
Opening hours:
Noon-11pm
Closed Wednesday
Price:
Cheap
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
7min walk from Daitoku-ji-mae Bus Stop, Kyoto City Bus 206 from Kyoto Station
Telephone: 432-5075
Website:
Official Website (Japanese)
Where Is This Place Located?
See these places on our Kyoto Google map:- Open the Kyoto map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Near To Here:
Sarasa is located in Kyoto’s Nishijin district. See our complete list of things to do in Kyoto’s Nishijin district, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
