JAPAN'S BEST-DESIGNED SAUNAS10 saunas
Beautifully designed saunas in Tohoku, Niigata and Hokuriku
Tubs of Aomori hiba, a storehouse bath, a sake bath. Places with a sense of their region.
Aomori hiba tubs and a tower sauna
A cave bath and two saunas
Auto löyly and outdoor rest
A cave bath and a salt sauna
A storehouse bath and two saunas
A junmai sake bath and outdoor rest
A cold bath with binchotan charcoal
A sauna in Morioka
A sauna in Sagae
A sauna garden for men and women together
Planning a visit
Hours, cold baths and tattoo rules for these 10 saunas
| Sauna | Area | Hours | Cold bath | Tattoos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gokurakuyu Aomori | Aomori | 6:00–1:00 (last entry 0:20) | Yes | Not allowed — tattoos or tattoo stickers… |
| Gokurakuyu Tomiya | Tomiya | Weekdays 9:00–23:00, weekends & holidays 6:00–23:00 | Cold-water bath | Not allowed — tattoos or tattoo stickers… |
| Gokurakuyu Meike | Niigata | Weekdays & holidays 10:00–24:00, weekends 6:00–24:00 | Yes | Not allowed — tattoos or tattoo stickers… |
| Gokurakuyu Matsusaki | Niigata | 10:00–24:00 (last entry 23:30) | Cold-water bath | Not allowed — tattoos or tattoo stickers… |
| Gokurakuyu Makio | Niigata | Weekdays 9:00–24:00, weekends & holidays 6:00–24:00 | Cold-water bath | Not allowed — tattoos or tattoo stickers… |
| Gokurakuyu Nonoichi | Nonoichi | Weekdays 9:00–25:00, weekends & holidays 6:00–25:00 | Yes | Not allowed — tattoos or tattoo stickers… |
| Gokurakuyu Fukui | Fukui | 9:00–26:00 (from 7:00 on weekends and holidays) | Outdoor binchotan cold bath | Not allowed — tattoos or tattoo stickers… |
| SPA Sento Yukko Morioka | Morioka | — | — | — |
| Yururi Sagae | Sagae | — | — | — |
| Ofuro Café yusa | Yamagata | 10:30–22:00 (last entry 21:00) | — | — |
From each official website. “—” means the official information we checked does not say.
Questions visitors ask
Which saunas in Tohoku, Niigata and Hokuriku stay open after midnight?
Gokurakuyu Aomori (6:00–1:00 (last entry 0:20)), Gokurakuyu Meike (Weekdays & holidays 10:00–24:00, weekends…), Gokurakuyu Matsusaki (10:00–24:00 (last entry 23:30)), Gokurakuyu Makio (Weekdays 9:00–24:00, weekends & holidays…), Gokurakuyu Nonoichi (Weekdays 9:00–25:00, weekends & holidays…) and 1 more.
Can I go in with tattoos at the saunas in Tohoku, Niigata and Hokuriku?
Gokurakuyu Aomori: Not allowed — tattoos or tattoo stickers (stickers must be removed before entry).; Gokurakuyu Tomiya: Not allowed — tattoos or tattoo stickers (stickers must be removed before entry).; Gokurakuyu Meike: Not allowed — tattoos or tattoo stickers (stickers must be removed before entry).; Gokurakuyu Matsusaki: Not allowed — tattoos or tattoo stickers (stickers must be removed before entry).; Gokurakuyu Makio: Not allowed — tattoos or tattoo stickers (stickers must be removed before entry).; and 2 more in the table above. For the others, check the official website or ask before you go.
Which saunas in Tohoku, Niigata and Hokuriku have a place to rest outdoors?
Gokurakuyu Meike, Gokurakuyu Nonoichi, Yururi Sagae, Ofuro Café yusa have an outdoor rest area, according to their official websites.
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