A bathhouse for the ink makers
The Kobaien Bathhouse (古梅園風呂場, Kōbaien Furoba) in Tsubaicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, is the bathhouse built for the ink makers at Kobaien, the sumi ink maker founded in 1577; it was built in the early Shōwa era (from 1926) and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 1998/01/16 (number 29-0015). The Kobaien Bathhouse was built for the staff who made the ink. It was set in a corner of the works so that craftsmen handling soot and glue could wash at the end of the day.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the early Shōwa era: timber, single storey, tiled, with a building area of 25 square metres. Next door to the west is the copper pot house where glue was melted.
Four washing tubs and one for rinsing
The southern half of the building is a passage; the bathroom fills the north. A passage running north to south down its middle divides it in two, with 4 tubs for washing on the east and 1 tub of clean rinsing water on the west. A small vent roof sits on the ridge to let out the steam.
The insides of the tubs have been refitted, but the Agency notes that their arrangement keeps the old pattern. It is a layout made for many men bathing at once, and the Kobaien Bathhouse gives a sense of how many people worked here and how they lived.
Seeing it
The Kobaien Bathhouse lies inside the Kobaien property and is not open to the public; it can scarcely be seen from the street or the lanes.
Kobaien takes factory visits by reservation, with a hand-gripped ink experience in the ink-making season; ask when booking which buildings the visit includes. Shop hours, how to book a factory visit and directions from the station are on the Kobaien page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Nara
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Kobaien Bathhouse
- [ Todaiji Great Buddha & Nara Park Deer Experience ]
Q&A
- Who used the Kobaien Bathhouse?
- The staff who made the ink.
- How many tubs does the Kobaien Bathhouse have?
- Four washing tubs on the east side and one rinsing tub on the west.
- How large is the Kobaien Bathhouse?
- A single-storey timber building of 25 square metres.
- Can visitors see the Kobaien Bathhouse?
- It is not open to the public. Factory visits are by reservation; ask Kobaien what the visit covers.
- When was the Kobaien Bathhouse registered as a cultural property?
- On 1998/01/16, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 29-0015.
Basic Information
| Name | Kobaien Bathhouse (古梅園風呂場) |
|---|---|
| Location | 7 Tsubakiicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 29-0015 |
| Year Designated | Registered 1998/01/16 (Heisei 10) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, single storey, tiled roof; building area 25 square metres |
| Owner | Kobaien Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (factory visits by reservation) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Kobaien Bathhouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000463
- Cultural Heritage Online — Kobaien Bathhouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/180373
- Kobaien Co., Ltd. — Company profile and opening hours
- https://kobaien.jp/profile.html
Last verified: 2026.10.02
