Soak up the healing powers of these 4 onsen in the heart of Tokyo
Learn the rules of onsen use and pick from one of these soothing venues, each set in gorgeous and peaceful surroundings in the busy Japanese capital
It is widely believed that to enjoy the healing power of onsen waters, you must head out of town. But these exclusive hot springs can be enjoyed year-round in the heart of Tokyo.
The rules in Japan
There are spoken and unspoken rules that will make encounters with “Mr or Ms Grumpy” less likely.
1. Shoes come off at the entrance and are placed in a locker. In separate changing rooms you place everything else in another locker. You receive one big and one small towel. The small towel is used to cover your modesty (or small tattoos). This should go nowhere near the bath water. Place it elegantly on your head.
2. Bathe before you enter. Bathing stools for sitting and washing line the entrance to the baths. Thoroughly scrub every centimetre of skin and rinse off all soap before entering the bath. An embarrassing soap-slick emitting from your body is not ideal.
3. No tattoos, please. Sad but true; ink is out because of the Yakuza association. You could try a waterproof plaster … or stay in a ryokan with a private onsen.
1. Hoshinoya Tokyo
Hoshinoya Tokyo is a modern answer to the traditional Japanese inn or ryokan. Its rooftop onsen is open to staying guests, and offers a sublime design and relaxing mineral waters pumped from far beneath the bustling Tokyo roads. A large funnel frames the kaleidoscopic sky in the outdoor bath, while the sun or moon cast artistic shadows: the perfect Zen template for a naked mind.