You might be surprised to find that Tokyo actually has many good hot springs. Tokyo has 650 public baths among which 39 places offer natural hot springs. If you ever feel tired from being in busy Tokyo and need relaxing, try to visit one of the hot springs after work. This article introduces good onsen spots which are acclaimed for the quality of their hot springs and which you can easily reach by train.
Saya no Yu Dokoro – 8 minutes’ walk from Shimura Sakagami Station on Mita Line
“Saya no Yu Dokoro” is highly recommended to those who work in Shimbashi area. It is 8 minutes’ walk from Shimura Sakagami Station on Mita Line. The characteristic of this hot spring is the water with the tinge of brownish green. The water is drawn directly from a natural source without filtering; therefore, it retains the original colour of the hot spring with medicinal property. It is considered to have effects on recovering from fatigue, poor blood circulation and weak constitution.
Saya no Yu Dokoro
3-41-1 Maeno-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo
Shimizuyu – 5 minutes’ walk from Musashi-Koyama Station on Meguro Line
If you commute to Shibuya, Meguro or Ebisu area, then “Shimizuyu” can be easily accessible. It is located 5 minutes’ away from Musashi-Koyama Station on Meguro Line. The highlight of this place is Kuro-yu (dark spring) in amber colour and Ogon-yu (golden spring) in gold colour. Kuro-yu effectively softens and moisturises your skin, helping the skin to retain the heat. On the other hand, Ogon-yu is considered to be good for poor blood circulation and chronic gynaecological disorders. Both hot springs are particularly recommended for women as they are known to be good for the skin.
Shimizuyu
3-9-1 Koyama, Shimagawa-ku, Tokyo
Hisamatsu Onsen – 3 minutes’ walk from Ikegami Station on Ikegami Line
“Hisamatsu Onsen” is recommended for those who commute to Gotanda area. It is 3 minutes’ walk from Ikegami Station on Ikegami Line. The feature of this hot spring is Kuro-yu (dark spring) which is drawn from the depth of 200 meters underground and rich in mineral. This hot spring is called “the Spring of the Beauty” since the alkaline water helps cleanse and smoothen the skin. It is also effective for poor blood circulation. Keep visiting for a week or two, and you will notice the difference!
Hisamatsu Onsen
3-31-16 Ikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Azabu Kurobisui Onsen Take no Yu – 5 minutes’ walk from Azabu-Juban Station on Nanboku Line and Oedo Line
For those who work in Roppongi and Yotsuya area, there is “Azabu Kurobisui Onsen Take no Yu” which is only 5 minutes’ walk from Azabu-Juban Station on Nanboku Line and Oedo Line. The unique characteristic of this hot spring is the water in dark brown with moist texture. The moisturised and smooth touch of your skin will last for a while.
Azabu Kurobisui Onsen Take no Yu
1-15-12 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Rokuryu Kosen – 5 minutes’ walk from Nezu Station on Chiyoda Line
“Rokuryu Kosen” is recommended for those who commute to Hibiya and Ueno area. It is 5 minutes’ walk from Nezu Station on Chiyoda Line. Here, the hot spring in a coffee-like tinge is offered at 47 degrees Celsius. It is one of the hottest springs among the public baths in Tokyo. Although local customers with the traditional values are known to prefer high temperature, they also use cold water to adjust the temperature.
Rokuryu Kosen
3-4-20 Ikenohata, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Jakotsuyu – 3 minutes’ walk from Tawaramachi Station on Ginza Line
If your workplace is based in Ginza or Ueno area, then try to visit “Jakotsuyu”. It is 3 minutes’ walk from Tawaramachi Station on Ginza Line. This place offers the spring in clear dark brown. Jakotsuyu is an old establishment whose history traces back to Edo period. You might come across a scene where local customers gently instruct the etiquettes at public bath to foreigners.
Jakotsuyu
1-11-11 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Asakusa Kannon Onsen – 8 minutes’ walk from Tawaramachi Station on Ginza Line
Another recommendation for those who work in Ginza and Asakusa area is “Asakusa Kannon Onsen”. It is 8 minutes’ walk from Tawaramachi Station on Ginza Line. The water here is in the tinge of light yellow, which derives from filtration process of the originally dark brown water. It is located next to Hanayashiki Amusement Park, a retro style amusement park. You will find the local feel of this place presents a stark contrast with its surroundings full of tourists.
Asakusa Kannon Onsen
2-7-26 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Kaiseiyu – 8 minutes’ walk from Kamata Station on JR Keihin Tohoku Line
If you work near Shinagawa, then “Kaiseiyu” is highly recommended. It is 8 minutes’ walk from Kamata Station on JR Keihin Tohoku Line. This place offers carbonated Kuro-yu (dark spring). This carbonated water can dissolve the old keratin away from your skin and make it nice and smooth. Many international backpackers pay a visit here since it is close to Haneda Airport.
Kaiseiyu
5-10-5 Nishi Kamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Conclusion
This article is particularly focused on the famous hot springs which offer tinted springs (just because it somehow feels they have better property…!). Each place can be reached within 30 minutes after work. You might come up with a great idea if you relax yourself in a hot tub, looking down the serene outskirt of Tokyo.
Related Article:
16 things to know before ultimate relaxation: Onsen & sento manners
