With the number of hot springs and super sentos in Kanto, one article wasn’t enough to fit them all in. If you’re looking for a relaxing day trip out of the city, here is a list of great spots to try in Kanagawa and Chiba.
Here’s a quick recap: an onsen is a bath that uses natural hot water from a spring underground, and a sento is a large public bath that uses water heated up by certain man-made systems.
Kanagawa
Yukemuri-no-Sho Hot Springs
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Yukemuri-no-Sho has an amazing range of natural hot springs. The place has a modern feel, even in the restaurant with a changing seasonal menu. The entrance fee includes rental towels and loungewear. They have a few hot springs to choose from, including a bath in the women’s section, which produces a warm mist 100 times stronger than any mist facial device, makes you sweat a lot, but leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. This nano mist bath is the first in the Kanto region!
Mizonokuchi Hot Springs Kirari
Mizonokuchi Hot Springs is a small place loved by locals for the sodium bicarbonate in the water that smoothes your skin. You will need to take a bus from Mizunokuchi Station South Exit to get there as it is too far to get there by foot. They have a large ganbanyoku, which you can stay in for as long as you’d like.
Yumomi-no-Sato
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Located a short distance from Centre Minami Station, Yumomi-no-Sato has pipes that run 1,800 metres below the ground to collect the natural golden water within the bath. The average temperature of the bath is 40.2 degrees, making it easy to stay in there for a long period. The men’s section has a low-temperature salt sauna, whereby you can scrub the salt on your skin to revitalise it.
Hakone Yumoto Hot Springs
It is easy to forget that the tourist hotspot of Hakone is located in Kanagawa. Hakone is arguably the most famous hot spring area of Kanagawa and maybe even Kanto. As it is such a popular destination, public transport is easily accessible. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is a great hot spring for those who want to try public bathing without getting fully undressed, as this place allows you to wear your swimsuit, and covered tattoos are also okay. They have some interesting baths, such as a wine bath, a coffee bath, and a fish foot bath. You can enjoy Yunessun with a partner or a group of friends, as the swimwear sections allow men and women to bathe together. If you want a more traditional experience, they also have no clothes area, called Mori no Yu. If you want to try out both areas, you can buy a package deal for 3,500 yen.
Chiba
Oedo Onsen Monogatari Urayasu Mangekyo
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Step into another world when you enter an Oedo Onsen. The indoor decor has many Japanese motifs that take you back to a traditional era. Oedo Onsen is similar to Yunessun in the sense that the highlight of the hot springs is the outdoor area that is mixed and you wear swimwear. Oedo Onsen has many hotels and resorts around the country, but the most popular one for people living in Kanto is the one right next to Disneyland in Urayasu, Chiba. Urayasu Mangekyo boasts 38 different baths, making it the biggest hot spring theme park in Chiba.
Spa Metsä Otaka
Ranked first place in the country for the Saunachelin 2022 Award, Spa Metsa Otaka is the best place to go if you’re an avid fan of saunas. They have 3 saunas and 3 cold baths. Spa Metsa’s Dragon Sauna is the first of its kind in Japan, and the stoves come directly from Finland. This hot spring has a futuristic feel to it due to all the neon lighting around the place. There is a bath that is called the “Firefly Hot Springs” because the lighting sets up an ambient atmosphere. Spa Metsa Otaka is in a convenient location, as it is just under an hour from Tokyo via the Tsukuba Express and a short walk from the closest station, Nagareyama-ōtakanomori Station. It is perfect for those who want a quick, easy getaway to nature.
Natural Hot Springs “Manten-no-yu”
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Situated right on the Teganuma River, Manten-no-yu provides a relaxing atmosphere where you can take in the fresh air from the area. You need to catch the Bando Bus from Abiko station and ride for ten minutes before you cross Tega Bridge and reach Maten-no-yu. There is a restaurant on the second floor with a view of the lake for those who want to enjoy a meal with a view. Manten-no-yu can keep you busy for a whole day, as they have a hair salon, as well as a farmers market. The hot springs must not be skipped either, as Manten-no-yu is home to the largest free-flowing bath in the region. Don’t feel like soaking your whole body in? There is a footbath free of charge.
Ryusennoyu
Ryusennoyu has just undergone a renovation, so now is the perfect time to check it out! You’re welcomed into the lobby with a beautiful Japanese garden. Then make your way through to the bathing area, where they have a large selection of hot springs to hop into. After your soak, it is easy to spend the day relaxing at Ryusennoyu. There is a relaxation room that looks like a movie theatre with its massage chairs all facing a large TV screen.
Which Hot Springs Will You Visit Next?
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From the type of baths to the restaurants and relaxation spaces, these hot springs have their own individual charm to them. The further you go out from the city, the more likely you will be able to find yourself in nature. All you need to do is take one of these bathhouses to plan your next destination and hop on a train or a bus.
Related Articles:
- Hot Springs and Super Sentos in Tokyo and Saitama
- Ganbanyoku: Japanese Style Hot Stone Therapy
- The Best Hot Spring Towns to Enjoy Fall Foliage
- One Day Trip to Hakone Onsen: Kanagawa’s Scenic Volcano Mountain
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