What I really like about Japan is the Japanese way of taking a bath. In any western country I am familiar with, taking a bath is a procedure that belongs to the private rather than the public domain. In Japan, however, most people like to enjoy taking a bath in a public bathhouse called sento 銭湯 or in the more rural areas real hot spring 温泉.
Real hot spring can usually be found in areas where mountains still dominate the landscape. However, there are at laest two spa who claim to dig more than 1000m deep into the earth to transport the natural hot-spring water right into the crazy-crowded city of Tokyo. One of those "real onsen", whcih is named "LaQua" can be found in Suidobashi 水道橋 right in the heart of the small amusement district of Tokyo Dome City.
However, I haven't had the pleasure of going there yet. With more then 3.500Y entrance fee it is a little bit expensive too. A bit cheaper alternative comes with the famous Oedo Onsen Monogatari 大江戸温泉物語 (Stories of the hot springs of Edo) which can be accessed by ゆりかもめ線 yurikamome line departing from 新橋駅 Shinbashi station. The spa lies on the edge of the rather new built technological island of Odaiba in the bay of Tokyo.
There are some things I really like about this spa. First, when you enter, you receive a yukata 浴衣, a famous dress which is worn by a lot of Japanese during summer festivals 祭 and other traditional occassions. As far as one is around in the common area (spas in Japan usually are seperated by sexes) the yukata is all you can wear, there are no other clothes allowed. Then, the common area right before you enter a seperated bath, gives you a little bit the feeling to be in the old city of Edo (the former name of Tokyo). You dont even have to pay with cash, everything is going to be added to your number you received at the entrance.
Also, the spas are awesome. Athough the open air bath 露天風呂 could be a little bit bigger, there are 14 different baths for each sex inside the building, not counting the footbath 足湯. You can enter end exit the bath area as many times as you want and thus frequently switching from drinking a beer in old Edo to relaxing in the whirlpools inside.
Entrance fees vary depending on time of the day. A reasonable price are the 2000Y after 6pm every eveing.
Thats awesome and sometimes necessary to flee the fast-paced life in Tokyo. I think I will get myself a membership-card. :)
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Real hot spring can usually be found in areas where mountains still dominate the landscape. However, there are at laest two spa who claim to dig more than 1000m deep into the earth to transport the natural hot-spring water right into the crazy-crowded city of Tokyo. One of those "real onsen", whcih is named "LaQua" can be found in Suidobashi 水道橋 right in the heart of the small amusement district of Tokyo Dome City.
Centered on the basic concept of "Enjoying self-refreshment in the heart of Tokyo," LaQua embodies complex commercial facilities consisting of three zones: spa, attraction, and shop & restaurant. It offers unprecedented access to pleasure, excitement, refreshment and relaxation
all for the enjoyment of urban life in downtown Tokyo.
However, I haven't had the pleasure of going there yet. With more then 3.500Y entrance fee it is a little bit expensive too. A bit cheaper alternative comes with the famous Oedo Onsen Monogatari 大江戸温泉物語 (Stories of the hot springs of Edo) which can be accessed by ゆりかもめ線 yurikamome line departing from 新橋駅 Shinbashi station. The spa lies on the edge of the rather new built technological island of Odaiba in the bay of Tokyo.
There are some things I really like about this spa. First, when you enter, you receive a yukata 浴衣, a famous dress which is worn by a lot of Japanese during summer festivals 祭 and other traditional occassions. As far as one is around in the common area (spas in Japan usually are seperated by sexes) the yukata is all you can wear, there are no other clothes allowed. Then, the common area right before you enter a seperated bath, gives you a little bit the feeling to be in the old city of Edo (the former name of Tokyo). You dont even have to pay with cash, everything is going to be added to your number you received at the entrance.
Also, the spas are awesome. Athough the open air bath 露天風呂 could be a little bit bigger, there are 14 different baths for each sex inside the building, not counting the footbath 足湯. You can enter end exit the bath area as many times as you want and thus frequently switching from drinking a beer in old Edo to relaxing in the whirlpools inside.
Entrance fees vary depending on time of the day. A reasonable price are the 2000Y after 6pm every eveing.
Thats awesome and sometimes necessary to flee the fast-paced life in Tokyo. I think I will get myself a membership-card. :)
[gallery]
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