While onsen and sento are both shared bathhouses, the key distinction is that onsen water comes from natural hot springs and meets specific legal criteria, while sento typically use regular heated water for bathing.

Generally speaking, sento are more casual bathhouses with regular users, while onsen are a little more special. But to make things more confusing, there are also “super sento”, which tend to feel just as special as an onsen, if not more so, as they often have other on-site facilities like a manga corner, café, or spa services.

In this article, we’ll only be looking at onsen and super sento. These are all new spots that opened between August 2023 and July 2024. They were ranked by NIFTY Lifestyle Co., Ltd., on Nifty Onsen, a website with information about over 15,000 of Japan’s onsen, and based on the number of accesses to the facility page.

Starting with number four, Kakeinoyu opened in March 2024, and is located in Yomiuriland. But don’t let that fool you – this sophisticated onsen is for adults only, so there are no splashing toddlers here! It is, in fact, a part of Yomiuriland’s elegant “Hana Biyori” facility, which is centered around a floral theme.

The onsen has both indoor and outdoor baths, but the highlight is the open-air bath. Standing 100m in the air, the bath offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Inagi area and Tokyo metropolis. Many onsen are known for their specific health benefits, and Kakeinoyu is no different, as its waters are known for contributing to having beautiful skin.

As well as its relaxing baths, Kakeinoyu also has a stone sauna area, where you can lie down on the warm stone floor, a comfortable rest area, a restaurant, and various spa services as well. This is a beautiful spot to explore the flowers of Hana Biyori, then relax with evening views of the metropolis.

If you like saunas, this next spot is definitely for you. Spa & Gohan Yuluumu opened in November 2023, and has an incredible selection of sauna facilities. There are four different types of sauna: the tower sauna, herbal sauna, salt sauna, and herbal steam sauna. The tower sauna is the most spacious, with seven levels of seating for women and eight for men.

But if the saunas aren’t for you, that’s not a problem. There are plenty of different baths to choose from, too. There is the carbonated bath, the herb bath, the Jacuzzi bath, the outdoor bath, and three different types of cold water baths.

Spa & Gohan Yuluumu also has a restaurant with delicious food that is said to go down particularly well after a trip to the sauna, as well as some local Mito pork dishes. Of course there is also a spacious rest area with a manga library and hammocks, relaxation services, and even accommodation if you want to stay the night.

At number two is Yura Kirari in Yokohama, about an hour from central Tokyo. This haven of relaxation opened in March 2024 for those of elementary school age and up, helping to maintain an atmosphere of serene sophistication.

The highlight here is their open-air bath, which is surrounded by a bamboo forest. It feels like your own little hideaway from the world. But what reviewers often talk about is the indoor carbonated bath, which is the largest of its kind in Yokohama. There are also “attraction baths” which range from Jacuzzi baths to one with a mild electric current!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a top facility if it didn’t have a few other amenities. At Yura Kirari, in addition to their sauna and mist sauna, there is also a café and restaurant, massage chairs, a rest area, and various spa services.

And at number one, we have Tokyo Toyosu Manyo, which opened in February 2024. This is an interesting one, as although baths in central Tokyo are usually sento, hot spring water is imported from the Hakone and Yugawara hot springs, making this a man-made onsen.

Here, there are three main hot baths: the outdoor bath, the large indoor bath, and a carbonated bath. On top of that, there are two cool water baths, and a warm outdoor footbath where you can enjoy panoramic views of Tokyo while you soak your toes. There is also a bookable family bath that you can use for a fee if you’d like your own private space.

As for other facilities, there are two types of sauna for men and women: a dry sauna and a salt sauna. Women can also use the “nano mist sauna” said to be good for detoxing, beautiful skin, and good sleep. Of course there is also a restaurant, manga corner, rest area, spa treatments, and stone sauna. Beautiful views, beautiful skin, and delicious food are all what put Tokyo Toyosu Manyo in the top spot!

Price: From 2,200 yen (adult, morning only); overnight stays from 14,800 yen

These are some of the best new facilities in and around Tokyo, but there are tons of relaxing bathhouses to visit all over the place! These top new spots are a great way to get started, but be warned – you may find a new hobby in bath-hunting!

Source: PR Times

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