Tokyo is a vast city to explore, there are several moments where you’ll find yourself walking around. If not, even riding the city’s trains can be tiring and overwhelming. After touring around in this magnificent, bustling urban hub, why don’t you end the day relaxing at an onsen?
Onsen, which is Japanese for “hot spring,” pertains to a natural spring bath geothermically heated underground via the land’s volcanic activity. History shows that the first onsen bathing happened at least around 1,300 years ago.
Basically, what happens in an onsen is you soak in the hot spring to relax and relieve your tense muscles. Even if Tokyo is filled with skyscrapers, it is interesting to point out that it also has the country’s best onsen spots. Here are our top picks.
1. Niwa no Yu
Experience Zen-onsen-sational at Niwa no Yu, an onsen perched in a Kenzo Kosugi-designed garden. Unfurl like a lotus flower as you enjoy the bath here, sauna, Jacuzzi, and swimming pool. Private lunch and dinner packages are also available. However, you’ll need to leave your kids at your hotel since this is an adult-only onsen.
Hours: 10 AM-11 PM
Contact: +81 3-3293-0028
Address: 1 Chome-1-16 Misakicho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan
2. Tokyo Somei Onsen Sakura
Tokyo Somei Onsen Sakura ensures top-notch quality service as it filters its baths to remove the color and smell. Something that other onsen may not do. If you wish to avail their stone sauna, you will need to make a reservation first. The best time to visit this onsen is during the cherry blossom season.
Hours: 10 AM-11 PM
Contact: +81 3-5907-5566
Address: 5-4-24 Komagome, Toshima City, Tokyo, Japan
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3. LaQua
LaQua is very accessible as it is situated right at the city center. While here, you’ll be treated to a whopping five floors of rain showers, scrubs, massages, steam area, and even an outdoor-style onsen. Not being silly here about Pearl Harbor, but they have a Hawaiian hot-stone spa as well tucked inside its complex. Despite these offers, the experiences here are affordable.
Hours: 12-9 AM, 11-12 AM
Contact: +81 3-3817-4173
Address: 1 Chome-1-1 Kasuga, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0003, Japan
4. Times Spa Resta
Now, for those looking for a classy onsen experience, visit Times Spa Resta, but if you are a couple, you’ll need to part ways for now. For men, you can enjoy their Finnish-style sauna and rotenburo. For women, you can relax in its open-air jacuzzi and “clear mist” sauna tantalizing with a refreshing aroma. Plus, you may also avail their Thai massage, Ayurvedic treatment, and Korean body scrub.
Hours: 11:30-9 AM
Contact: +81 3-5979-8924
Address: 4-25-9 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0013, Japan
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5. Saya no Yudokoro
Relax at this onsen feeding from a natural hot spring about 1,500 meters underground. It’s not just a typical onsen since the waters here are rich in sodium chloride, so if you see them in greenish-brown color, don’t worry since that’s because of its chloride content. Appreciate the Zen garden here as well.
Hours: 9-12 AM
Contact: +81 3-5916-3826
Address: 3 Chome-41-1 Maenocho, Itabashi City, Tokyo 174-0063, Japan
6. Hisamatsu-yu
If you want the relaxing onsen experience while admiring fine Mount Fuji murals while soaked in the waters, visit Hisamatsu-yu. Aside from its outdoor bath and sauna, they also offer water-themed light projections that can amplify your relaxation.
Hours: 11 AM-11 PM (closed on Thursdays)
Contact: +81 3-3991-5092
Address: 4 Chome-32-15 Sakuradai, Nerima City, Tokyo 176-0002, Japan
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7. Rakutenchi Spa
Located within the Rakutenchi entertainment complex in Kinshicho, Rakutenchi Spa is a men-only onsen and sento with facilities which include an onsen hot-spring bath, saunas, and restaurants serving up tasty food.
Hours: 24/7
Contact: +81 3-3631-4126
Address: 4 Chome-27-14 Kotobashi, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-8535, Japan (Rakutenchi Building, 9th Floor)
8. Thermae-Yu
Next stop is Thermae-Yu, an onsen that’s one of the favorites in central Tokyo. Highly recommended by the locals, this should ring a bell to you because its name is inspired by the popular manga and film, “Thermae Romae,” which is about a Roman architect transported to modern-day Japan. Formerly just open 22 hours each day, it is now open 24/7.
Hours: 24/7
Contact: +81 3-5285-1726
Address: 1 Chome-1-2 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan (Thermae-Yu, B1F)
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9. Komparu-yu
Get this, Komparu-yu first opened in Ginza as early as 1863, during the dying days of the Edo period. Much of the past’s interiors are still retained today, but that doesn’t mean their facilities are subpar.
Hours: 2-10 PM
Contact: +81 3-3645-2303
Address: 8-7-5 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo, Japan
10. Nagomi no Yu
An onsen considered as one of the stars in west Tokyo, Nagomi no Yu will ensure you’ll leave satisfied as ever. They also offer stone saunas and healing zones, but they require additional charges. They also have bedrock baths and even color therapy.
Hours: 12-9:15 AM, 10:30-12 AM
Contact: +81 3-6908-3653
Address: 3 Chome-3-1 Mejiro, Toshima City, Tokyo 171-0031, Japan (Mejiro Square Building, B1F)
So, if you’re in Tokyo now, you better try the city’s onsen. Enhancing your circulation, promoting better sleep, reducing stress, improving skin, and helping rest tired muscles after your daytrip are among their benefits. Did you know they could also help you lose weight and make friends while you travel?
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