A Taisho Bathhouse in the Iga-Ueno Castle Town
The Ichinoyu Bathhouse Main Building (一乃湯本館) is the two-storey timber main building of Ichinoyu, a public bathhouse in the castle town of Ueno at Ueno-nishihinata-machi, Iga City, Mie Prefecture, built in 1926, and was registered with its gate as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on June 21, 2013 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as two storeys of timber with a tiled roof and a building area of 129 square metres; registration number 24-0156.
A Castle-Town Bathhouse
According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the main building stands across a forecourt from the street gate. The ground floor holds the changing rooms, and the upper floor a tatami room for resting after the bath.
Above the gate is a neon sign with the bathhouse name and hot-spring symbol, put up when Ichinoyu opened in 1950; together the building and gate convey the bathhouse culture of the Ueno castle town (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Iga-Ueno Tourism Association lists Ichinoyu among its member bathhouses.
Why It Was Registered
The Ichinoyu Bathhouse Main Building was registered as a building that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that it adds colour to the historic townscape of the Ueno castle town.
What to Look For
The Ichinoyu Bathhouse Main Building is a two-storey timber building with a hip-and-gable pantiled roof entered at the gable end, fronted by a projecting porch under a curved karahafu gable (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Though Japanese in overall style, the wall at the bath entrance shows Western touches such as terracotta and arches (Agency for Cultural Affairs), a mix typical of early Showa bathhouses.
Using the Bathhouse
The Ichinoyu Bathhouse Main Building is in use as the Ichinoyu public bath. According to the Iga-Ueno Tourism Association, it is at 1762 Ueno-nishihinata-machi, Iga City; telephone 0595-21-1126. We could not confirm opening hours from official sources, so check before visiting. See the group page Ichinoyu (Iga) for both registered structures.
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- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Ichinoyu Bathhouse Main Building
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Q&A
- When was the Ichinoyu Bathhouse Main Building built?
- In 1926 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What does the Ichinoyu Bathhouse Main Building look like?
- A two-storey hip-and-gable building with a projecting karahafu porch (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is the inside of the Ichinoyu Bathhouse Main Building used?
- Changing rooms below and a tatami rest room above (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Are there Western touches in the Ichinoyu Bathhouse Main Building?
- Yes, terracotta and arches on the wall at the bath entrance (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Ichinoyu Bathhouse Main Building registered?
- On June 21, 2013.
Basic Information
| Name | Ichinoyu Bathhouse Main Building (一乃湯本館) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1761 Ueno-nishihinata-machi and others, Iga City, Mie Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2013/6/21 (Heisei 25) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, 2 storeys, tiled roof, building area 129 square metres |
| Owner | Not listed (Agency for Cultural Affairs database) |
| Public Access | In use as a public bath (check hours) |
References
- Ichinoyu Bathhouse Main Building (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00009623
- Ichinoyu Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00009624
- Ichinoyu (Iga-Ueno Tourism Association)
- https://www.igaueno.net/?kaiin=530
Last verified: 2026.10.10
