JAPAN'S BEST-DESIGNED SAUNAS9 saunas
Saunas worth the journey
Saunas by a lake, in a forest, facing the Sea of Japan, in a building by Shigeru Ban. Places to plan a trip around.
Five sauna huts by a lake
Wood, metal and fire saunas in a forest, named after the five elements
Designed by Shigeru Ban: a hot spring with a 100 m walking bath and a sauna
“Sea” and “Sky” saunas facing the Sea of Japan, in a Taisho-era annexe
A sauna that frames the mountains, and a tiled steam sauna
A sauna under a roof inspired by cap clouds, looking at Mt Fuji and the lake
Hot spring and sauna surrounded by mountain nature
A stepped sauna and a loft sauna of Mie hinoki
Three private saunas in an art hotel
Planning a visit
Hours, cold baths and tattoo rules for these 9 saunas
Nearest stations: Kurohime.
| Sauna | Area | Hours | Cold bath | Tattoos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Sauna (LAMP Nojiriko) | Shinanomachi | — | — | — |
| OND SAUNA | Takeo | — | 130 cm deep | — |
| Kurpark Nagayu | Nagayu | Indoor baths 10:00–21:30 (last entry 21:00) | — | — |
| Ryuguden Sauna (Kameya) | Yunohama | Check-in to 22:00 and 6:00–10:00 (men's and women's sides… | — | — |
| 10 stories stay yuzawa uonuma | Minami-Uonuma | — | — | — |
| CYCL | Yamanakako | — | 120 cm deep, Mt Fuji spring water | — |
| Rakan no Yu, Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel | Takeo | 15:00–24:00 on the day of stay, 6:00–10:30 the next morning | Takeo Onsen spring water chilled to 16–17 °C | — |
| Honzoyu VISON Sauna | Taki | Sauna 10:00–22:00 (bathing 6:00–24:00) | — | — |
| Shiroiya Hotel Sauna | Maebashi | — | — | — |
From each official website. “—” means the official information we checked does not say.
Questions visitors ask
Which saunas in Japan stay open after midnight?
Rakan no Yu, Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel (15:00–24:00 on the day of stay, 6:00–10:30…), Honzoyu VISON Sauna (Sauna 10:00–22:00 (bathing 6:00–24:00)).
Which saunas in Japan have a place to rest outdoors?
OND SAUNA, Rakan no Yu, Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel have an outdoor rest area, according to their official websites.
Can I pay without cash at the saunas in Japan?
Kurpark Nagayu: Cash, accommodation vouchers, credit cards and QR payments.. Other places do not state payment methods on their official websites.
What are the nearest stations for the saunas in Japan?
The stations mentioned most often are Kurohime Station. Every sauna page has directions and the address in Japanese.
More collections
2 saunas
Saunas in design-led sentō bathhouses
A storeroom under the stairs turned into an outdoor rest area, a car park turned into a lounge. Neighbourhood…
2 saunas
Beautiful private saunas you can book for yourself
Alone, or just with your friends. Saunas with no queue.
13 saunas
Saunas with wonderful outdoor rest areas
Rooftops, planted courtyards, inside a park. Places where you rest in the open air after the sauna.
