A Yuasobihiroba onsen with multiple baths and a nice, smallish rotenburo on the second floor. Open all night. Good place to try despite being pretty small.

On my last visit I was able to read the onsen information panel on the wall in the outdoor bath. This is most likely a tanked in hot spring, but I am not sure about the current status. I forgot how local the locals are here and it was nice to see. Everyone is happy to be here and using the baths. Highly recommended.

This is one of those amazing split level sento where you change on the first floor, the sauna and some of the baths are on the second floor, and the third has the remainder of the baths plus an outdoor bath on a balcony. The changing room is small but do not let that compact room bias your view of the sento in its entirety. Once you get up those first stairs the high ceiling and windows give this sento a open airy feeling--especially if you visit during the daylight hours. You do not have to visit only in the daylight hours however, located near the Shinkaichi entertainment district of Kobe, Ashihara is an all night sento and open from 2 in the afternoon till 10 in the morning. (Note: I need to visit here at 3 or 4 am sometime to see what it is like.)

The outdoor bath used to be filled with a hot spring but that changed a few years ago. Now they put bath salts or herbs into the bath. This most recent visit they had a cloth sack stuffed full of herbs making the water deep brown and giving it that kanpo (漢方/chinese medicine) smell. The bag was suspended from above and floating in the middle of the bath--the first time I have seen that arrangement. Unique.

Also, I love the stream of water continually flowing down the set of stairs from the first to the second floor. A refreshing way to begin your bath, just make sure not to slip and fall!

The owners here seem to be sento enthusiasts and sell some books sento travel guides. They really seem to love what they do. While this might be a bit of a rough place at first glance, it has a good heart and is worth checking out.