----------------------------------- sanji Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:36 am [E] Onsen in and around Tokyo ----------------------------------- Many visitors ask how to find onsen (hot springs) in Tokyo. Onsen is a kind of trade mark, and only baths containing water from a spring can claim this title. Plus, those waters have either to naturally glush or be pumped at more than 25°C, or to contain more than a specific amount of chemical derivatives. There are many sento in Tokyo. Those are traditional or modern bathhouses, where people use to go to wash their body, to relax and to socialize. Most of them use however normal tap water, adding sometimes extra ingredients to the bath (most often: aromatic herbs). Sento are not onsen, as they are not using a natural spring. There are however in Tokyo, or surrounding areas, a small number of real onsen, whose water is usually pumped up from high depth. Here is a list of the most popular ones. Keep in mind that bathing in those Tokyo onsen is a very different experience from visiting an onsen in the countryside. In particular as most of them require visitors to wear a swimming costume. http://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/e/laqua/image/spa_photo2.jpgLaQua Address – 1-1-1 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Phone – 03-3817-4173 Opening hours – 11 am to 9 am Price – 2'565 yen (extra added to use the facility after midnight) Public transportation – Suidobashi station (JR Chuo-Sobu Line & Mita Subway Line) and Korakuen (Nambuko Line) Internet – www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/e/laqua/index.htm In the heart of the new complex in Korakuen, this onsen offers limited interest for onsen lovers, as the number of baths is reduced to the minimum. There are however many other attractions there, including a large number of shops and restaurants, as well as the famous Thunder Dolphin roller coaster. http://www.ooedoonsen.jp/spa/img/img_spa03.jpgOedo Onsen Monogatari Address – 2-57 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064 Phone – 03-5500-1126 Opening hours – 11 am to 9 am (last entry 2 am) Price – 2'827 yen Public transportation – Telecom Center Station (Yurikamome Line); Free shuttle bus from Tokyo Teleport Station, Riukai Line Internet – www.ooedoonsen.jp (Japanese only) Designed as a kind of onsen water park with a strong influence of the Edo period, this place provides a nice relaxing escape from the usual Odaiba attractions. Segregated traditional onsen baths and a large mixed foot bath outside, where guests have to wear a yukata (provided). http://www.zaboo.jp/roppongi/imgs/spa_pic2.jpgZaboo Address – 東京都港区西麻布1-2-10 〒106-0031 Phone – 03-5770-8100 Opening hours – 10:30 am to 9 am Price – 2'880 yen Public transportation – Roppongi Station (Toei Oedo Line & Hibiya Line) Internet – www.zaboo.jp (Japanese only) Close to the heart of Roppongi, this is a nice (and expensive) place to enjoy a natural onsen. Many small inside and outside baths, all segregated, as well as a foot bath next to an open-air cafe. Several sauna and relaxation rooms are also available. http://www.nafsport.com/utsukushi/img/onsen/ph_01.jpgTakaido Natural Spa - Utsukushi no Yu Address – 東京都杉並区高井戸西2-3-45 〒168-0071 Phone – 03-3334-0008 Opening hours – 10 am to 12 am Price – 800 yens on week days, 1200 yens on week-ends Public transportation – Takaido Station (Keio Inogashira Line) Internet – www.nafsport.com/utsukushi/index.html (Japanese only) Small onsen not too far from the center of Tokyo. Inside baths and smaller outside ones, as well as an "onsen pool". http://www.setaonsen.co.jp/english/image/title-e.jpgSeta Onsen Sanganoyu Address – 4-15-30 Seta, Setagaya Ward Phone – 03-3707-8228 Opening hours – 10 am to 11 pm Price – 2300 yens (coupon available on the web site for week days) Public transportation – Futako Tamagawa (Tokyu Denentoshi Line, 10 minutes by foot) Internet – www.setaonsen.co.jp/english/index.html Water pumped from 1'700 meters, and cooled from 46°C. There are traditional Japanese baths, plus an open-air jacuzzi type bath, for which swimming costume have to be worn (rental available). Massage and esthetic services are also available. http://www.toshimaen.co.jp/niwa-yu/guide/img/01-bade.jpgToshimaen Niwanoyu Address – 3-25-1, Mukoyama, Nerima-ku, Tokyo Phone – 03-3990-4126 Opening hours – 10 am to 11 pm (last entry 11 pm) Price – 2250 yens (coupon available on the web site for week days) Public transportation – Toshimaen (Oedo Line & Seibu Ikebukuro Line) Internet – www.toshimaen.co.jp/niwa-yu/niwanoyu.html An impressive complex with separated men and women areas including inside and outside baths, as well as sauna. Those zones are linked by a large "Bade Zone" where swimsuits are required, consisting of a large pool, a small "Dead Sea" bath, outside smaller round baths and a Finnish sauna. Large relaxation rooms are also available. http://www.haragroup.co.jp/roten/img/sa_tenbou_kakenagashi.jpgMachida Roten Garden Address – 東京都町田市相原町358番地 Phone – 042-774-2681 Opening hours – 10 am to 12 am Price – 1000 yens on week days, 1200 yens on week-ends Public transportation – Futako Tamagawa (Tokyu Denentoshi Line, 12 minutes by foot) Internet – www.haragroup.co.jp/roten The water of this onsen is pumped from a depth of 1'381 meters, and has a natural temperature of 37.2°C. Traditional bathing only, with several outside baths. Different types of saunas are also available. http://www.tcvb.or.jp/jp/rashai_tokyo/RESORT/image/a_08.jpgHinode Mitsuzawa Tsuru-tsuru Onsen Address – 4718 Oguno, Hinodemachi, Nishi-Tama-gun, Tokyo Phone – 042-597-1126 Opening hours – 10 am to 8 pm, closed on Tuesday Price – 800 yens for up to 3 hours Public transportation – take the JR Itsukaichi Line to Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, and then the bus to the terminal stop Tsuru-tsuru Onsen Internet – www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/spot/hinode1.html In the nature, this place is a good spot after a hiking day – there are several interesting trails around. Several inside baths, as well as a rotenburo.