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A detail from “Das Hotel Maruyama in Kioto,” with Yoshimizu Onsen’s three-story tower visible in the back, in Joseph Ritter von Lehnert, Um die erde. Reiseskizzen von der erdumseglung mit S.M. corvette “Erzherzog Friedrich” in den jahren 1874, 1875 und 1876 (Wien: A. Hölder, 1878). Nichibunken Database
Akashi Hiroakira (明石博高), a leading figure in the early modernization of Kyoto, established the artificial hot-spring resort of Yoshimizu Onsen in 1873, on the former grounds of Chōrakuji temple and Anyōji’s Haruami subtemple.
With a convenient location, close to the esteemed Yaami Hotel, and a prominent three-story tower, it caught the attention of inbound tourists, many of whom wanted to observe (and sometimes, as in the quote below, experience in private) Japanese bathing practices.
Yoshimizu Onsen burnt down in 1906, in the same fire that destroyed the Yaami Hotel, and the land was claimed by the city government in order to expand Maruyama Park.
“Close to our hotel stands a handsome edifice built story over story like a pagoda, and which we learnt was a bath-house, so Yoshi [their guide] was sent over to hire a room for our first Japanese bath.
The water in the tank had evidently done good service throughout the whole day, and during our occupation of it an expectant crowd patiently awaited their turn outside the door. The Japanese appear to make use of these hot baths more as a comfortable lounge than anything else, and no soap being used the water is not in such a muddy state as might be expected from the number of occupants. The baths are all perfectly open to the public gaze, and we were surprised to find the bathing perfectly promiscuous, whole family gatherings, men, women, and children, all in their pristine state, keeping up a constant splashing, laughing, and joking."
Arthur H. Crow, Highways and Byeways in Japan: The Experiences of Two Pedestrian Tourists (London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington, 1883), 53–54
The City Council of Kyoto, The Official Guide-book to Kyoto and the Allied Prefectures (Nara: Meishinsha, 1895), 106
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