A Guide to Onsen and Super Sento in and around Tokyo

Sep 28, 2022

A Guide to Onsen and Super Sento in and around Tokyo

The onsen is one thing that immediately comes to mind when one thinks of Japan, and it’s no mystery why. In addition to appearing in most tourism-related media, they are excellent places to relax. With so much seismic activity, from small sento bathhouses to entire onsen towns, sento and onsen dot the archipelago. For all that, though, Tokyo doesn’t have many hot spring options. So, unless you have the time to take a mini-vacation to an onsen town or feel like trying out one of the many sento, which function more as a place to get clean than truly relax, then your options are limited. This is where Tokyo’s “Super Sento” come in. The Super Sento functions as an upgrade to the traditional sento while also bringing some of the ambiance of those famous hot spring towns such as Atami or Hakone. We’ve compiled a few options where you can soak to your heart’s content and experience the onsen in all of its glory. 

Manyo Club Onsen in Yokohama

While not technically in Tokyo, Manyo Club Onsen is an excellent addition to this list. Conveniently located in the Minato-Mirai area of Yokohama, the Manyo Club is directly across the street from Yokohama’s iconic Ferris Wheel. With so many other attractions nearby, it is also a great place to relax after visiting Chinatown or the Red Brick Warehouse. It carries all the amenities of a fine countryside hot springs hotel but with dramatic views of the Yokohama seaside. There is even an attached hotel if you want to stay a night or two. 

The main draw, of course, is the onsen. The water is trucked from springs in Atami and Yugawara, and there are a variety of pools to soak your stress away. You have options from the usual, including huge indoor tubs and various rooftop outdoor pools overlooking the Minato Mirai district. There are even private tubs, rented by the hour for “private time” with family or significant other.

In addition to the onsen, there are several other amenities as well:

• Full-service restaurants, both buffet and set menu style
• Manga reading room and Internet cafe
• Traditional Thai massage and British-style reflexology services
• Dry, salt, and herbal sauna rooms
• Gift shop, meeting rooms, banquet hall rentals, and more

Manyo Club is just 30 minutes by express train from central Tokyo. It can be reached directly using either Minato Mirai station on the Minato Mirai line (Tokyu Toyoko line) or Sakuragi-Cho station on JR’s Keihin-Tohoku and Negishi lines and the Yokohama City Subway Blue line. A free shuttle service operates between Yokohama station and the resort from 10 am until 11 pm hourly.

Opening Hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Address: 2-7-1, Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama, 231-0001 (map link)

https://www.manyo.co.jp/mm21/eng/

Closest Railway Station: 

Sakuragicho Station: JR Keihin Tohoku Negishi Line / Municipal Subway Line
Minatomirai Station: Minatomirai Line

Tel: 0570-07-4126

Ticket Info (Tax exclusive)

Adults (older than Junior High School): 2,500 yen
Children (Elementary School Students): 1,400 yen
Children (3 to under school age): 940 yen
Children under 3: Free.

Credit Cards: all major cards accepted

Languages Spoken: Japanese, English

Oedo Onsen Monogatari Urayasu Mangekyo

Did you think that Tokyo Disneyland was the only reason to visit Urayasu? Located just 25 minutes from Tokyo Station, this Super Sento will give you another reason to visit Chiba. The second you walk in, it’s like being transported into a travel brochure. Once you’ve entered, head to the changing room and swap your streetwear for a yukata, and you’re ready to stroll around the complex, which is set up like a small Edo-era village in the middle of the summer festival season.

URL: https://urayasu.ooedoonsen.jp 

Fees:

Weekdays M~F Adult: JPY1,888, Children: JPY858
Weekends, Holidays Adults:  JPY2,218~2,548, Children:  JPY 968~1,078
Late Night Discount Entry: 1,980 JPY

Amenities: Japanese Restaurant, Game Corner, Fortune Telling, Massage, Sauna, Day Spa

Hours: Open every day from 11 am to 12 pm; last entry is 11 pm.
Access: JR Keiyo Line, Shin-Urayasu Station, 29 min. walk, but a free shuttle bus is available by reservation

Address: 7 Chome-3-12 Hinode, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0013 (map link)

Saya no Yudokoro at Maenohara Onsen

Originally a wealthy family’s private estate, this natural hot spring oasis in Tokyo’s Itabashi Ward opened to the public in 1946. The surrounding neighborhood has grown and developed in the intervening years, but the onsen retains all of its Showa era glory. 

Unlike many other super sento in Tokyo, the waters here come from 1500 meters directly underground and are naturally high in sodium chloride, giving its water a greenish tint. It’s said to be suitable for those who have arthritis and poor circulation. Another noteworthy point is the Japanese gardens surrounding the facility. It is tough to remember that you’re still in the middle of Tokyo when strolling the grounds and sipping a hot cup of green tea from the restaurant inside. That restaurant serves traditional Japanese cuisine like tempura, udon, and more, serving as a perfect follow-up to your soak. 

URL: www.sayanoyudokoro.co.jp/english
Fees:

Weekdays M~F Adult: JPY890, Children: JPY550
Weekends, Holidays Adults: 1,120, Children: JPY750

Amenities: Japanese Restaurant, Massage, Sauna, Aroma Therapy
Hours: Open every day from 11 am to 12 pm; last entry is 11 pm.
Access: Mita Subway Line, Shimura-Sakanoue Station, Exit A2, eight min. walk

Address: 3 Chome-41-1 Maenochō, Itabashi-Ku, Tōkyō-to 174-0063 (map link)

Kamakura, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons