Minato Yu is a small local sento that has seen better days in a rough Kobe neighborhood. Sadly this sento is rather dirty inside with lots of mold and water damage on its walls. The tile back walk has a simple mosaic of a flower which is well done. There are not many baths to choose from either. On the other hand, the large and open changing area has some very old lockers that are interesting. Minato is not a sento for a first time bather. Only a completest or sento historian could enjoy this one.
Review Update December 2020:
Located off the main street connecting Shinkaichi to the Kobe Station area. This is a tougher area of Kobe--not the fashionable and chic Kobe that is the image of most people. The movie theater that shows foreign art films is nearby as is a 1000 yen a night hotel for day laborers. The bath is located on the first floor of a larger apartment building with a somewhat hidden entrance. Minato-yu has a very municipal, community space feel to the bath. The changing room is quite large and open. In the bath that feeling is continued. Fairly basic main tub with a saltwater and somewhat cooler bath near the entrance. The large flower tile art along the back wall is pretty. I was wearing my Santa hat when I went which prompted a fun conversation with the kind owner.