The Best Hot Springs in Tokyo in 2024

The hot springs in Tokyo provide a full-body relaxing experience to balance the rush of city life.

If you've been meaning to visit onsen towns in Japan, but haven't gotten around to it, there are plenty of hot springs in Tokyo that will keep you pleasantly occupied and might be closer to where you are staying.

Maenohara Onsen Saya-No-Yudokoro—a complete onsen experience on a gorgeous property

Website: https://www.sayanoyudokoro.co.jp/english/

Situated in Itabashi City, this onsen in Tokyo offers the feel of a rural getaway in a busy metropolis, with a tranquil Japanese garden, private baths, and a restaurant with private dining rooms.

Admission is inexpensive, with towels and robes available for an additional charge, as well as saunas and massage services for those who really need to relax.

Foreigners may be more comfortable in a private bath, but it should be noted that according to city ordinance, two people cannot share a bath, meaning you and your partner must take turns.

For both dining and private baths, the online reservation system involves giving three preferred times and waiting to see what you get.

If you’re on a time crunch and want to plan exactly when you will experience each service, consider using a concierge service like MailMate’s bilingual assistant service to confirm your booking.

Price range: $5-$10 for admission, $15 for private bath.

Hours: 9am-Midnight.

Address: 3-41-1 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 174-0063

Tel: +81 03-5916-3826

Tokyo Somei Onsen Sakura—conveniently-located oasis

Website: https://www.sakura-2005.com/english

Just 21 minutes from Shinjuku Station via the Yamanote Line, the baths at this traditional bathhouse look just like you imagine, with all facilities and décor offering an old-fashioned Japanese feel.

If you wish to make a full day of it, you can enjoy a hot stone sauna, lunch in the restaurant, or visit the hair salon on the second floor.

Guests with tattoos are not allowed to enter, a remnant of Japan’s old cultural attitude toward tattoos. While this may confuse tourists who see lots of young Tokyo residents with tattoos, it is a common policy at many hot springs throughout the country.

Somei Onsen Sakura has a long list of other rules that guests should familiarize themselves with before booking, or check with your concierge service to make sure you can enjoy the hot springs.

Price range: $10-$12 for basic adult entry.

Hours: 10am-11pm.

Address: 5 Chome-4-24 Komagome, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0003

Tel: +81 03-5907-5566

Thermae-Yu—a variety of soothing soaks for experienced bathers in the heart of Shinjuku

Website: http://thermae-yu.jp

Though it’s smack-dab in the middle of Shinjuku, Thermae-Yu has everything you could want from a full onsen resort, including restaurants, a sports bar and fitness club, massage and salon services, a relaxation area, and several kinds of rejuvenating public or individual hot spring water baths.

The décor and style of the baths varies greatly, so you can choose based on atmosphere or specific treatments like the neutral electrolytic water bath or high-concentration carbonated bath.

The website is entirely in Japanese, which means two things: first, you may benefit from asking MailMate’s bilingual assistant service for help with understanding the policies and amenities; second, there probably won’t be a lot of other foreigners or English-speakers there.

That means it won’t be touristy, but also means you’ll have to be patient with staff and other guests if there’s a language barrier.

Price range: $12-$20 for basic admission, other amenities and services extra.

Hours: Open 24 hours.

Address: 1 Chome-1-2 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021

Tel: +81 03-5285-1726

Spa LaQua—simple, natural hot spring that’s welcoming to tourists

Website: https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/en/tourists/spalaqua/

If you find yourself in the Tokyo Dome area, Spa LaQua offers a basic onsen experience that isn’t complicated and is one of the most welcoming to tourists and non-native Japanese.

There are large public baths (divided into men’s and ladies’ zones) heated with water from a natural hot spring, along with associated facilities like saunas, restaurants, and a full complement of facial, skin, massage, and other body treatments.

Like most hot springs in Japan, you cannot wear a bathing suit in the water, so you’ll need to be comfortable with public nudity to enjoy this location.

Lockers are available for storing your items, and all major credit cards are accepted.

While this isn’t the most private or beautiful bathing facility on the list, it’s great for busy travelers who want to take a break from hectic meeting schedules and enjoy a nice dip at spa facilities in downtown Tokyo.

Price range: $23 for adult admission.

Hours: 11am-9am.

Address: Tokyo Dome City LaQua, 112-0003 Tokyo, Bunkyo City, Kasuga, 1-chōme−1−1, Floor 6

Tel: +81 03-3817-4173

Natural Hot Spring Heiwajima—acupuncture, foot massage, and a range of baths a short distance from Haneda Airport

Website: https://www.heiwajima-onsen.jp/en/

Found in the south Tokyo area of Ota, Heiwajima Hot Springs boasts many types of natural hot spring baths sourced from sodium-chloride spring water from 2,000 meters below ground.

You can take in a hydro-jet high-pressure bath, micro-bubble experience, or go with the "Viewing Spa” and enjoy a large-screen TV as you soak.

Prices are cheaper on weekdays, and you can book a 1-hour “Quick Bath Plan” instead of the normal 7-hour admission if you don’t plan to stay long.

Since it’s open 23 hours a day, this hot spring is a convenient place to work off your jet lag, and the English-language website offers thorough explanations of the facilities.

Tattoos are allowed if they can be concealed using cover-up sheets that can be purchased on site.

Price range: $15-$20 for 7-hour visit.

Hours: 11am-10am.

Address: BIG FUN Heiwajima 2F, 1-1-1 Heiwajima, Ota-ku, Tokyo

Tel: +81 03-3768-9121

Yamato-No-Yu—inexpensive natural hot springs in Narita

Website: https://yamatonoyu.com/en

Ideal for a layover or while waiting for a late flight, Yamato-No-Yu offers the full experience of a traditional hot spring bath just a short taxi ride from Narita Airport.

The main inside bath features 41-degree (Celsius) spring water directly from the source, while the open-air bath allows you to enjoy a dip outdoors. You can also book an open-air bath in one of three private rooms.

The chiropractic, aromatherapy, and facial treatments are all reasonably-priced, and the restaurant and sushi bar has a wide menu to satisfy picky eaters.

Reservations for private rooms can be made via email.

Price range: $10 admission, $33 for 2-hour private bath.

Hours: 10am-10pm, 7 days a week.

Address: 1630 Odake, Narita, Chiba 286-0841

Tel: +81 0476-28-8111

Myojin No Yu Oyata Onsen—authentic Japanese experience for those willing to take a short trip

Website: https://myoujin-no-yu.com

Not as conveniently-located as some of the other entries on our list, this hot spring and spa is in east Adachi, about an hour by multiple trains from Shinjuku Station.

But what you’ll get by escaping the touristy parts of the city is a toned-down version of an onsen, with a rock-lined outdoor bath as well as a large indoor bath and individual stone baths of different sizes and temperatures.

Divided into male bathing area and female bathing area like most onsen, this location also features a connected restaurant, though it offers a lot less frills than some onsen restaurants.

The website is only in Japanese, so connect with MailMate’s bilingual assistant service to confirm the rules and information before making the trek out there.

Price range: $10 for basic entry.

Hours: 10am-11pm.

Address: 1 Chome-18-1 Oyata, Adachi City, Tokyo 120-0001.

Tel: 03-5613-2683

Frequently asked questions

Are there hot springs in Tokyo?

There are many hot springs in Tokyo. Some of the more popular locations for tourists include Maenohara Onsen Saya-No-Yudokoro, Tokyo Somei Onsen Sakura, Thermae-Yu, and Spa LaQua. Read the full article for what to know before your hot spring visit.

Are tattoos allowed in Tokyo hot springs?

Generally, tattoos are not allowed in Tokyo hot springs. However, some facilities will allow you to cover the tattoo with a cover-up sticker (often sold on the premises) so that you can enjoy the facility while abiding by their rules. Refer to each hot spring's website for their guidelines on tattoos.

What should I wear to a hot spring in Tokyo?

Some hot spring facilities will provide yukata (a loose robe) to where inside of the facility. However, when bathing, the general practice is to bathe without clothes, as one is required to wash oneself thoroughly before getting into the hot spring water. If you are uncomfortable with bathing without clothes, consider booking a private bathing room.

In closing

Relaxing at a hot spring is an enjoyable way to destress from your travels while also enjoying a beloved Japanese tradition.

To ensure you understand the guidelines for the hot spring facility you will visit, it’s a good idea to work with a concierge service like MailMate’s bilingual assistant service so you’ll be properly prepared before your visit and avoid any misunderstandings