Shirogane-yu

Primary public bathhouse for day-trippers in the famous Taisho-era street of Ginzan Onsen. The exterior was designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, featuring a modern slatted wooden facade that somehow integrates perfectly with the century-old ryokans surrounding it. The interior is vertical and compact, with two small bathing rooms that rotate between genders. The water is a clear, hot sulfur spring that is piped in directly from the central Ginzan source. Because Ginzan Onsen restricts most of its baths to overnight guests, Shirogane-yu is a vital facility for those visiting for only a few hours to experience the town's nostalgic atmosphere. It is tiny and can only hold about 4–5 people at a time.