There’s nothing quite as soothing as indulging in a hot soak after a long day, which is perhaps why so many tourists seek to experience the traditional Japanese bathing culture themselves. Onsen baths, or hot spring baths, offer a relaxing escape, soothing both body and mind as the mineral-rich waters work magic on your skin. While it’s not every day that you get to dip into geothermal waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains or lush foliage in Japan, you can still enjoy it elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Luxury onsen spas in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines all offer hot spring bath facilities, but they also take the traditional onsen up a notch with contemporary wellness touches, offering massages, scrubs and body wraps to complement your soak and provide a holistic experience. 6 of the best private hot spring onsens in Japan Urban Retreat Onsen Spa, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Located in one of the newest shopping plazas in upscale Mont Kiara, Urban Retreat lives up to its name. With its warm lighting, wooden furnishings and pampering treatment menu, the luxurious spa offers solitude and respite in the midst of a concrete jungle. Touted as the first onsen spa in Malaysia, Urban Retreat melds Japanese traditions with local practises. Each private onsen room comes fitted with a specially crafted bathtub made from hinoki wood. The bath is fully customisable as well; guests can choose their desired water temperature – 42 degrees Celsius (108 Fahrenheit) is ideal for seasoned onsen goers, while 38 is recommended for those who are new to the practice – as well as their own onsen salt. There’s iyashi for healing, kirei for supple skin, and Zen to calm the mind, all of which are crystalline powders extracted from natural hot springs in Japan. The spa’s day packages include any combination of onsen, body wrap, treatment or massage. There are a variety of massage techniques available on the menu, but the Timeless Urutan Malaysia is a must-try. It combines traditional Malay massage techniques with Chinese acupuncture and Indian champissage to provide deep relief to tight muscles, the perfect way to finish what the onsen started – loosened knots and all. Address: Lot 2F-02, 2nd floor, 163 Retail Park, Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 4 onsens for some rest and relaxation in the heart of Tokyo Pañpuri Wellness, Bangkok, Thailand View this post on Instagram タイ発スパブランド、パンピューリの最新スパ「PAÑPURI WELLNES」がゲイソンタワー12階にオープンしました。♀️ お客様のリラックスのためにさまざまな設備があり、オーガニックスパや本格的な温泉施設、ヨガスタジオも備えました。♨️♀️ 一番の特徴は全部がオーガニックであること。 ぜひ日々の疲れを癒しに訪れてみてくださいね！ 12Fl, Gaysorn tower 営業時間 10:00〜23:00 お問い合わせ 02-253-8899 https://panpuriwellness.com #bangkokmadam #bangkok #thailand #バンコクマダム #バンコク在住 #駐妻 #バンコク生活 #panpuriwellness #gaysorn #パンピューリ #ゲイソンタワー A post shared by Bangkok madam (@bangkokmadam) on Aug 20, 2018 at 9:42pm PDT The beauty of Pañpuri Wellness, apart from its sun-streamed spaces and state-of-the-art facilities, is how it makes your body and mind feel at ease as soon as you step in. The tranquil spa is an oasis of calm in the bustling Ratchaprasong district, offering a myriad of wellness programmes and services for top-to-toe renewal and to address the ailments of 21st century life (stress, sleep deprivation and skin fatigue being the common culprits Pañpuri Wellness aims tackle). Perched atop the 12th floor of Gaysorn Tower with sweeping views of the Bangkok skyline, the expansive space is kitted out with five male and female onsen pools, two akasuri scrub rooms, a Thai massage room, and exclusive onsen suites for those seeking more privacy. There is also a studio that offers holistic movement classes such as yoga and piloting as well as a wellness bar that serves up nutritious eats. With its health and beauty programmes mostly centred on the therapeutic effects of onsen therapy, Pañpuri Wellness is an ideal place to rest, recharge, and kick-start new lifestyle habits, with wellness consultants at the ready to help create bespoke plans tailored to your needs. Address: 12th floor, Gaysorn Urban Retreat, Gaysorn Village Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330, Thailand Yunomori Onsen, Singapore View this post on Instagram Some on-zen time with @_robinlam @zhixy @anthttm Thanks @yunomori_sg for inviting us here and for the much-needed pampering! #yunomorisg A post shared by Beixin | Travel & Nature (@beixin) on Jul 29, 2016 at 6:13am PDT A visit to Yunomori Onsen’s Singapore outpost feels like a fun-filled day at a water park for grown-ups, thanks to the wide variety of traditional and hi-tech onsen pools available in the pampering spa. There is a jet bath, which utilises high-pressure, full-body jet streams to soothe sore muscles; a soda bath, where guests can enjoy a long soak in carbon dioxide-rich water that is said to boost circulation and improve skin health; and a silk bath, which shoots streams of micro-bubbles to create a silky-smooth feel and is purported to relieve rheumatic and arthritic aches. An entry fee of S$38 (around US$28) grants you all-day access to these communal baths that are separated by gender and require you to go the full monty, save for a pair of black disposable underwear if you feel a little too shy to take the plunge (pun intended). You can also opt for a spa package to experience Yunomori Onsen’s signature service, which includes a traditional Thai massage and herbal compress as an add-on option. The spa menu also includes IPL laser treatments to complete the skin rejuvenation experience, from anti-ageing to scar removal and brightening, and are topped off with collagen or pearl facial masks at the end of each session. Address: 1 Stadium Place #02-17/18 Kallang Wave Mall Singapore 397628 5 reasons Zao Onsen is fast becoming Japan’s next winter sensation I’m Onsen Spa, Makati, Philippines View this post on Instagram Weekend is time to #relax We love #wellness trips and @imonsenspa (the urban spa from @imhotelph) was such a nice surprise Swipe to see the swimming pool with a glass floor! Olhem que demais este #spa urbano em Manila. Destaque para a piscina com fundo de vidro que dá pra ver a rua embaixo! Alguém tem mais dicas de spas legais, no Brasil ou no resto do mundo? A post shared by Travel stories | Jackie (@swiss_360) on Jun 8, 2019 at 5:42am PDT There’s no better way to spend an afternoon than at I’m Onsen Spa, where you can languidly while away your day in the comfort of their onsen pools and well-equipped facilities – all six storeys of it. Said to be the first onsen spa in Manila, I’m Onsen Spa provides the ultimate pampering experience, with entire floors dedicated to thermal pools, herbal steam and sauna rooms, treatment suites, a tea lounge and a restaurant. To help guests achieve “tsuru tsuru” (smooth) skin, the onset pool waters are infused with minerals extracted from natural hot springs and treated with sodium bicarbonate, which helps dissolve dirt and sebum on the skin’s surface. The water also consists of purified carbon dioxide to encourage blood circulation and detoxification, while specialised Japanese ceramic pallets are used to alter the water’s molecular structure so moisture can be easily absorbed by the skin for improved hydration. When you’re done with your soak, head upstairs to indulge in more of the spa’s bountiful treatments, from shiatsu massages and healing stone therapy to anti-ageing facials and body wraps. But don’t leave without having digging into the complimentary buffet at The Common Good on the fourth floor. The delectable spread features nine international food stations that are sure to satisfy every stomach. Address: 7862 Makati Ave, Makati, 1210 Metro Manila, Philippines Want more stories like this? Sign up here . Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .