Joto Ward - 城東区
Fudo-Yu
Fudo-Yu
Japanese Name: 不動湯Prefecture: OsakaCity: Osaka - JotoAddress: 大阪府大阪市城東区天王田１３−１４Access: Hanaten Station / 放出駅Type: Sento w/ natural hot springWebpage: http://fudouyu.com/Price: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: NoneHours: 10:00-23:00
ReviewFrom start to finish the water at Fudo-Yu amazed me. It felt hotter than it's actual temperature, and the heat stays with you. Also in some of the baths you might find yu no hana (湯の花) which is bits of minerals, plant life or whatever that comes up with the well water. There is a sign warning bathers of the presence of yu no hana and explaining that it's not garbage. Yu no hana is a sign of a high quality well water and in the case of Fudo-yu it holds true.Practically all of the baths use the wonderful well water. The deep circular bath is one of the best designed baths that I have soaked in. It's simple design betrays how well built it is. The added pressure of being under that much water also helps in making it feel hotter. The sides are nice and wide enough for you to sit and dangle your legs into the bath when it gets too hot for you. That's just talking about the first bath, the rest are just as wonderful. I could have sat in the shallow bath for hours if I had the time. I wish the jet baths were a bit stronger, and the rotenburo has only a little view of the open sky, but those are inconsequential in the overall experience.A very basic facade with a giant neon ゆ, the name in neon and a sign board. The baths are on the second floor with parking below. Like it's sister onsen, Fudo-yu doesn't need to attach bells and whistles to attract customers. It has great water and it exploits it well. Beside a few vending machines and draft beer nothing else is for sale here, nothing else is needed. In the bathing area, the seats are tile and built into the floor be careful not to hit your toe.I like coming here because everyone was smiling. Everyone was happy. Why wouldn’t they be? I came in and was immediately talked to by a gangster, his body totally covered in tattoos. Only is lower arm, feet, nipples and that other place down there wasn't tattooed. He asked in his mumbling, guttural Japanese, "Japan dekimasuka?” meaning, "Can you do Japan?” which I assume he meant as "Can you speak Japanese.” I replied that I could and he laughed. In the bath there was a little 2 year old boy who kept on checking me out so I said “hi" to him. His grandfather and I began to chat a bit and I found out that the boy went to an English preschool. Everyone here was happy and how could they not be with a bathhouse like this; how could you be sad? They try to keep the sauna very dry so they ask everyone to use the bath towel you receive at the front desk to wipe off any excess water from your body before entering the sauna.
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Fudo-Yu 不動湯Type: Simple hot spring - 単純温泉Type: Weak alkaline - 弱アリカリ性Well Temperature: 37°CType: Hot spring - 温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
ReviewFrom start to finish the water at Fudo-Yu amazed me. It felt hotter than it's actual temperature, and the heat stays with you. Also in some of the baths you might find yu no hana (湯の花) which is bits of minerals, plant life or whatever that comes up with the well water. There is a sign warning bathers of the presence of yu no hana and explaining that it's not garbage. Yu no hana is a sign of a high quality well water and in the case of Fudo-yu it holds true.Practically all of the baths use the wonderful well water. The deep circular bath is one of the best designed baths that I have soaked in. It's simple design betrays how well built it is. The added pressure of being under that much water also helps in making it feel hotter. The sides are nice and wide enough for you to sit and dangle your legs into the bath when it gets too hot for you. That's just talking about the first bath, the rest are just as wonderful. I could have sat in the shallow bath for hours if I had the time. I wish the jet baths were a bit stronger, and the rotenburo has only a little view of the open sky, but those are inconsequential in the overall experience.A very basic facade with a giant neon ゆ, the name in neon and a sign board. The baths are on the second floor with parking below. Like it's sister onsen, Fudo-yu doesn't need to attach bells and whistles to attract customers. It has great water and it exploits it well. Beside a few vending machines and draft beer nothing else is for sale here, nothing else is needed. In the bathing area, the seats are tile and built into the floor be careful not to hit your toe.I like coming here because everyone was smiling. Everyone was happy. Why wouldn’t they be? I came in and was immediately talked to by a gangster, his body totally covered in tattoos. Only is lower arm, feet, nipples and that other place down there wasn't tattooed. He asked in his mumbling, guttural Japanese, "Japan dekimasuka?” meaning, "Can you do Japan?” which I assume he meant as "Can you speak Japanese.” I replied that I could and he laughed. In the bath there was a little 2 year old boy who kept on checking me out so I said “hi" to him. His grandfather and I began to chat a bit and I found out that the boy went to an English preschool. Everyone here was happy and how could they not be with a bathhouse like this; how could you be sad? They try to keep the sauna very dry so they ask everyone to use the bath towel you receive at the front desk to wipe off any excess water from your body before entering the sauna.
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Fudo-Yu 不動湯Type: Simple hot spring - 単純温泉Type: Weak alkaline - 弱アリカリ性Well Temperature: 37°CType: Hot spring - 温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
Fukakusa Onsen
Fukakusa Onsen
Japanese Name: 深草温泉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Joto WardAddress: 大阪府大阪市城東区成育5-18-11Closest Station: Sekime Station / 関目駅Category: SentoWebpage: https://www.facebook.com/fukakusa4126/Price: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: MondayHours: 14:00-24:00
Review:Fukakusa Onsen is a beautiful little local sento only 5 minutes from Sekime Station. A great option for a bath close to Kyobashi Station. It's quite small in the bathing area but the design is very cosy. I love the large TV and many viewing options from the tubs. Highly recommended.
Visit Date: March 2016
Review:Fukakusa Onsen is a beautiful little local sento only 5 minutes from Sekime Station. A great option for a bath close to Kyobashi Station. It's quite small in the bathing area but the design is very cosy. I love the large TV and many viewing options from the tubs. Highly recommended.
Visit Date: March 2016
Kankō Onsen
Kankō Onsen
Japanese Name: 観幸温泉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Joto WardAddress: 〒536-0023 大阪府大阪市城東区東中浜４丁目４−３Access: 10min from JR West Shigino Station / JR西日本 鴫野駅Category: SentoWebpage: https://osaka268.com/sento/%e8%a6%b3%e5%b9%b8%e6%b8%a9%e6%b3%89/Price: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: 2nd & 4th SaturdayHours: 15:00-23:00
Review: A little wear and tear in a sento does not mean it's a bad place. This one is a bit manky here and there, but I would be happy if it was my local. There's a good "at home" feel here. Regulars were chatting and laughing with the grandma in the bandai. These regulars also religiously put away their buckets and stools—something I love to see. Handwritten signs all over the place. Enka is playing in the changing room. Speaking to the baths now. There's a strong steam sauna paired with a well water cold bath—something that always makes this reviewer happy. I also enjoyed the orange glass brick used here and the Star Wars reminiscent facade. Great place.
Visit Date: December 2021
Review: A little wear and tear in a sento does not mean it's a bad place. This one is a bit manky here and there, but I would be happy if it was my local. There's a good "at home" feel here. Regulars were chatting and laughing with the grandma in the bandai. These regulars also religiously put away their buckets and stools—something I love to see. Handwritten signs all over the place. Enka is playing in the changing room. Speaking to the baths now. There's a strong steam sauna paired with a well water cold bath—something that always makes this reviewer happy. I also enjoyed the orange glass brick used here and the Star Wars reminiscent facade. Great place.
Visit Date: December 2021
Kegon Onsen
Kegon Onsen
Japanese Name: 華厳温泉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Osaka - JotoAddress: 大阪府大阪市城東区鴫野東２丁目１９−５Access: Shigino Station / 鴫野駅Type: Sento w/ natural hot springWebpage: http://fudouyu.com/kagen/Price: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: NoneHours: 10:00-24:00
ReviewA few onsen can make me feel better than this place. From the outside I was a bit scared, no big sign, no neon, nothing but a few bikes. Inside was the same. No pictures, no advertisements. Everything was very stark. In fact the only decoration I saw was an old sign with some Buddhist scripture written in calligraphy on it. Any place that doesn't rely on advertisements or fancy baths must have great water. I wasn't let down. The large main bath was filled with crystal clear perfectly heated water that felt great to the touch. I can't describe how wonderful this water was, but there is more. Outside in a long bath along the side of the building is an gensen bath with some of the best onsen water I have ever seen. Slightly brown, the water was in a perfect temperature for long soaking. My skin felt wonderful as soon as I got in. Sitting in this bath I realized how bathing is one of our last contacts with nature. Yes I am in a building and yes the tub isn't some dirt and rock lined hole, but the water, that wonderful water that was surrounding my body might have rained upon the Earth when dinosaurs still roamed the land. It was ancient. I was bathing in it. A sign above the bath said to not worry about the yu no hana, clumps of organic sediment, that come up with the water. This is a sign of good water. There were 3 other grandfathers in the bath with me and I wanted to talk to them, but I couldn't understand their old grandfather Japanese and I didn't want to barge in, so I reminded silent. Leaving I complemented the nice lady on how wonderful the water was. She said that gaijin were rather rare and asked where I came from. I replied Sanda, where I lived at that time, forgetting that she probably meant what country. We talked about some other things and I promised to return and I left. About 100 meters down the street I heard someone calling something and turned around. One of the grandfathers was calling me to come back. The lady wanted to find out what country I was from. I returned to the onsen and told them I was from America, and I had this blog and that this was a top 10 onsen. She was very surprised and happy about that and they invited me to have a drink. Sadly, I had to decline. I should have stayed, but I had an appointment later that evening and had to get going. I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful this onsen is. If you're only a tourist and want to experience a bit of vernacular Japanese culture, if you're a hot spring fan in your country and want to experience some top-notch Japanese water this is the place. I have since been back to this sento many times a few times with my daughter even and I constantly recommend it to people who I meet. Its hard to believe that in the middle of the city is this amazing natural place.
Update 2019: Still lovely. They have free body soap and shampoo now. Still unsure of the name is it Kengon, Kegon, or Kagen?
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Shigino Kengon Onsen - 志宣野華厳温泉Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉pH: 7.32Type: Neutral - 中性Well Temperature: 40.5°CType: Hot spring - 温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
ReviewA few onsen can make me feel better than this place. From the outside I was a bit scared, no big sign, no neon, nothing but a few bikes. Inside was the same. No pictures, no advertisements. Everything was very stark. In fact the only decoration I saw was an old sign with some Buddhist scripture written in calligraphy on it. Any place that doesn't rely on advertisements or fancy baths must have great water. I wasn't let down. The large main bath was filled with crystal clear perfectly heated water that felt great to the touch. I can't describe how wonderful this water was, but there is more. Outside in a long bath along the side of the building is an gensen bath with some of the best onsen water I have ever seen. Slightly brown, the water was in a perfect temperature for long soaking. My skin felt wonderful as soon as I got in. Sitting in this bath I realized how bathing is one of our last contacts with nature. Yes I am in a building and yes the tub isn't some dirt and rock lined hole, but the water, that wonderful water that was surrounding my body might have rained upon the Earth when dinosaurs still roamed the land. It was ancient. I was bathing in it. A sign above the bath said to not worry about the yu no hana, clumps of organic sediment, that come up with the water. This is a sign of good water. There were 3 other grandfathers in the bath with me and I wanted to talk to them, but I couldn't understand their old grandfather Japanese and I didn't want to barge in, so I reminded silent. Leaving I complemented the nice lady on how wonderful the water was. She said that gaijin were rather rare and asked where I came from. I replied Sanda, where I lived at that time, forgetting that she probably meant what country. We talked about some other things and I promised to return and I left. About 100 meters down the street I heard someone calling something and turned around. One of the grandfathers was calling me to come back. The lady wanted to find out what country I was from. I returned to the onsen and told them I was from America, and I had this blog and that this was a top 10 onsen. She was very surprised and happy about that and they invited me to have a drink. Sadly, I had to decline. I should have stayed, but I had an appointment later that evening and had to get going. I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful this onsen is. If you're only a tourist and want to experience a bit of vernacular Japanese culture, if you're a hot spring fan in your country and want to experience some top-notch Japanese water this is the place. I have since been back to this sento many times a few times with my daughter even and I constantly recommend it to people who I meet. Its hard to believe that in the middle of the city is this amazing natural place.
Update 2019: Still lovely. They have free body soap and shampoo now. Still unsure of the name is it Kengon, Kegon, or Kagen?
Hot Spring DataWell Name: Shigino Kengon Onsen - 志宣野華厳温泉Type: Chloride spring - 塩化物泉pH: 7.32Type: Neutral - 中性Well Temperature: 40.5°CType: Hot spring - 温泉Osmotic Pressure: Low - 低張性
Kikusui Onsen
Kikusui Onsen
Japanese Name: 菊水温泉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Joto WardAddress: 〒536-0024 大阪府大阪市城東区中浜１丁目３−６Access: 10min from JR West Shigino Station / JR西日本 鴫野駅Category: SentoWebpage: https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/joto/page/0000458702.html https://osaka268.com/sento/菊水温泉/Price: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: 1st, 3rd MondayHours: 16:00-21:00
Review:
Member of the retro sento postcard club. First, the baths. This is a very basic bath layout regarding aesthetics and bath variety. You have a central deep and shallow bath with a shallow half-electric and half-jet bath in the back. The only decorative element is a mosaic of a horse and buggy on the back wall. Even the warnings, typically sign hung on the walls, are instead text written directly on the tiles. The changing room here is big and airy. A perfect place to cool down in the summer. This is emphasized by the koi pond on the enclosed veranda. Make a note of the glitter-like material mixed into the tsuchikabe (clay) walls and the old wooden door leading to the toilet. It was beautiful. All in all, the baths here are fine, below average even, but you come here for the atmosphere, which makes Kikusui well worth a visit. Visit Date: June 2022
Review:
Member of the retro sento postcard club. First, the baths. This is a very basic bath layout regarding aesthetics and bath variety. You have a central deep and shallow bath with a shallow half-electric and half-jet bath in the back. The only decorative element is a mosaic of a horse and buggy on the back wall. Even the warnings, typically sign hung on the walls, are instead text written directly on the tiles. The changing room here is big and airy. A perfect place to cool down in the summer. This is emphasized by the koi pond on the enclosed veranda. Make a note of the glitter-like material mixed into the tsuchikabe (clay) walls and the old wooden door leading to the toilet. It was beautiful. All in all, the baths here are fine, below average even, but you come here for the atmosphere, which makes Kikusui well worth a visit. Visit Date: June 2022
Kotobuki Onsen
Kotobuki Onsen
Japanese Name: 寿温泉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Joto WardAddress: 〒536-0006 大阪府大阪市城東区野江３丁目１５−９Access: 5min from JR Noe, Keihan Noe, or Osaka Metro Noeuchindai [JR野江·京阪野江·大阪地下鉄野江内代]Category: SentoPrice: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: NoneHours: 14:00-24:00 (Sunday: 6:00-24:00)
Review: Kind of hidden down a maze of streets northeast of Kyobashi Station sits this very friendly sento. Jets and electric are a bit weak as is the sub-basement steam sauna, but the single person sized cold-water bath is nicely chilled--perhaps due to its small size. Not a lot of posters and decorations or special tiles here but the baths make up for it. The celling light fixtures are nice. Very clean all around. There is a large extra room (the living room of the family that lives and runs the sento I guess) off the lobby that has a bunch of massage chairs and exercise machines. Biggest quirk is the tub bath built into the rock lined outdoor bath. Rare to see a beautiful pottery tub like this in a sento. While there is not much of a view of the sky this might be one of the best outdoor areas in a sento that I've experienced. Tattoos seem fine. Upstairs dry sauna which may be free. I didn't use it so double check. Also upstairs is a cold shower to use if the cold-water bath is busy. Highly recommended and perhaps one of the best in walking distance from the Kyobashi area. Visit Date: November 2021
Review: Kind of hidden down a maze of streets northeast of Kyobashi Station sits this very friendly sento. Jets and electric are a bit weak as is the sub-basement steam sauna, but the single person sized cold-water bath is nicely chilled--perhaps due to its small size. Not a lot of posters and decorations or special tiles here but the baths make up for it. The celling light fixtures are nice. Very clean all around. There is a large extra room (the living room of the family that lives and runs the sento I guess) off the lobby that has a bunch of massage chairs and exercise machines. Biggest quirk is the tub bath built into the rock lined outdoor bath. Rare to see a beautiful pottery tub like this in a sento. While there is not much of a view of the sky this might be one of the best outdoor areas in a sento that I've experienced. Tattoos seem fine. Upstairs dry sauna which may be free. I didn't use it so double check. Also upstairs is a cold shower to use if the cold-water bath is busy. Highly recommended and perhaps one of the best in walking distance from the Kyobashi area. Visit Date: November 2021
Masa no Yu
Masa no Yu
Japanese Name: 昌乃湯Prefecture: OsakaCity: Joto WardAddress: 〒536-0023 大阪府大阪市城東区東中浜２丁目５−6Access: 10min from Osaka Metro Midoribashi Station / 大阪地下鉄 緑橋駅Category: SentoWebpage: https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/joto/page/0000465622.html https://osaka268.com/sento/%e6%98%8c%e3%81%ae%e6%b9%af/Price: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: Wednesday, SundayHours: 15:30-21:00
Review: Out in the periphery, there are still sento that exist as living treasures of a bygone era. Many examples exist on this website. While more urban places have lovely examples of retro sento, that feeling is somewhat different. This sento, however, gives that rural retro sento feel in the urban sprawl of Osaka city. Starting with the painted glass doors on the clothes lockers in the changing room, I knew this place would be special. Now here are the bad parts. There's one bath, and it is heavily chlorinated. Then the water coming from the taps and showers gets scalding hot without notice. This is not a sento for taking a relaxing bath. This is, however, a sento to savor for the atmosphere, tiles, and community that uses it. All things considered, this sento is rather clean, so feel safe coming here. That said, be aware of what you're getting into. The main single bath is divided into deep and shallow sections, and limited drainage on the floor, as is common for sento of this age. What is uncommon is the very noticeable slant the floor was built on to facilitate the flow of runoff water to the main drain. Everything looks like it was taken from a Dutch angle in the bath. Standing up, it almost felt like one of those rooms that make you feel unbalanced at a science museum or county fair funhouse. All that said, this sento is a piece of art. It's a living antique shop and 100% worth visiting if you are interested in this stuff. If you only want a nice bath with bubbles, jets, and whatnot, this sento is not for you. However, if you do go, remember that this is not a curated experience; it's the real deal, so moderate your assumptions appropriately.
The Osaka Bathhouse Association website says that this sento is mainly maintained by volunteers. That's great! What a lovely place.
Warnings:No toilet (at least I didn't see one). Watch out for the super-hot water from the faucets and showers. The women's side seemed really exposed near the bandai, so be conscious of where you change your clothing. Don't use the men's side shower along the back wall in the right side corner; a regular user said it was broken.
Visit Date: March 2022
Review: Out in the periphery, there are still sento that exist as living treasures of a bygone era. Many examples exist on this website. While more urban places have lovely examples of retro sento, that feeling is somewhat different. This sento, however, gives that rural retro sento feel in the urban sprawl of Osaka city. Starting with the painted glass doors on the clothes lockers in the changing room, I knew this place would be special. Now here are the bad parts. There's one bath, and it is heavily chlorinated. Then the water coming from the taps and showers gets scalding hot without notice. This is not a sento for taking a relaxing bath. This is, however, a sento to savor for the atmosphere, tiles, and community that uses it. All things considered, this sento is rather clean, so feel safe coming here. That said, be aware of what you're getting into. The main single bath is divided into deep and shallow sections, and limited drainage on the floor, as is common for sento of this age. What is uncommon is the very noticeable slant the floor was built on to facilitate the flow of runoff water to the main drain. Everything looks like it was taken from a Dutch angle in the bath. Standing up, it almost felt like one of those rooms that make you feel unbalanced at a science museum or county fair funhouse. All that said, this sento is a piece of art. It's a living antique shop and 100% worth visiting if you are interested in this stuff. If you only want a nice bath with bubbles, jets, and whatnot, this sento is not for you. However, if you do go, remember that this is not a curated experience; it's the real deal, so moderate your assumptions appropriately.
The Osaka Bathhouse Association website says that this sento is mainly maintained by volunteers. That's great! What a lovely place.
Warnings:No toilet (at least I didn't see one). Watch out for the super-hot water from the faucets and showers. The women's side seemed really exposed near the bandai, so be conscious of where you change your clothing. Don't use the men's side shower along the back wall in the right side corner; a regular user said it was broken.
Visit Date: March 2022
Paresu Onsen
Paresu Onsen
Japanese Name: パレス温泉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Joto WardAddress: 大阪府大阪市城東区関目３丁目４−８Closest Station: Sekime Station / 関目駅Category: SentoPrice: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: WednesdayHours: 6:00-25:00
Review:Cool design with lots of little places to explore and chill out in. Met another gaijin here and had a chat. Great cold water server in the bathing area.
Visit Date: April 2017
Review:Cool design with lots of little places to explore and chill out in. Met another gaijin here and had a chat. Great cold water server in the bathing area.
Visit Date: April 2017
Pearl Onsen
Pearl Onsen
Japanese Name: パール温泉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Joto WardAddress: 〒537-0022 大阪府大阪市東成区中本３丁目１０−１５Access: 5min from Osaka Metro Midoribashi Station / 大阪地下鉄 緑橋駅Category: SentoWebpage: https://osaka268.com/sento/パール湯/Price: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: Wednesday, SaturdayHours: 15:00-22:30
Review: What an amicable place. In the entryway, they have got two giant David Bowie posters. You know the sento will be friendly and welcoming when you see something unique like that. This sento extreme was extremely friendly and welcoming. It seemed like it would be bigger from the outside, but this is a medium-sized sento. Perhaps even on the smaller side of that classification. Everything is mild here. The water felt mild on the skin, the baths were not too hot, the jets were not too strong, and the cold bath was suitable for a long soak. The friendliness of the place and the mild baths make Pearl Onsen an excellent place for a first-timer trying out sento. There are also some fun signs, all in Japanese here and there, talking about turning off the shower as it wastes water. Also, on the men's side, the standing shower has a quirk where you might need to pull the button out to get the water to stop. The sauna here also is extremely clean and recently, as of 2022, remodeled. The smell of the fresh wood is fantastic! I didn't use it, but it appears to be free. However, you must only pay for a towel and a mat if you did not bring your own. Overall, Pearl Onsen is just a wonderful sento to visit, and I highly recommend you check it out. Inside there's also a bunch of David Bowie memorabilia to check out. Visit Date: June 2022
Review: What an amicable place. In the entryway, they have got two giant David Bowie posters. You know the sento will be friendly and welcoming when you see something unique like that. This sento extreme was extremely friendly and welcoming. It seemed like it would be bigger from the outside, but this is a medium-sized sento. Perhaps even on the smaller side of that classification. Everything is mild here. The water felt mild on the skin, the baths were not too hot, the jets were not too strong, and the cold bath was suitable for a long soak. The friendliness of the place and the mild baths make Pearl Onsen an excellent place for a first-timer trying out sento. There are also some fun signs, all in Japanese here and there, talking about turning off the shower as it wastes water. Also, on the men's side, the standing shower has a quirk where you might need to pull the button out to get the water to stop. The sauna here also is extremely clean and recently, as of 2022, remodeled. The smell of the fresh wood is fantastic! I didn't use it, but it appears to be free. However, you must only pay for a towel and a mat if you did not bring your own. Overall, Pearl Onsen is just a wonderful sento to visit, and I highly recommend you check it out. Inside there's also a bunch of David Bowie memorabilia to check out. Visit Date: June 2022
Shikishima Onsen
Shikishima Onsen
Japanese Name: しきしま温泉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Joto WardAddress: 〒536-0011 大阪府大阪市城東区放出西２丁目７−１５Access: 15 minutes from JR West Hanaten Station / JR西日本 放出駅Category: SentoWebpage: https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/joto/page/0000458695.htmlPrice: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: MondayHours: 15:00-24:00
Review: Amazing tile here. When you get into the main baths you might not notice, but the back wall of the cold water bath has a new-looking alpine mountain scene that is just beautiful. But then there's more, enclosing the outdoor bath and the waterfall bath is some amazing tile. They are in a green / brown / gray glaze and mounted at different heights. The tiles themselves look like imaginary terraforms or fossil remains of plants and animal footsteps. Just outstanding. As baths go there is a great selection and everything feels extremely clean. The kind man working the front was friendly and inviting. Highly recommend sento like all places in this area. Visit Date: June 2021
Review: Amazing tile here. When you get into the main baths you might not notice, but the back wall of the cold water bath has a new-looking alpine mountain scene that is just beautiful. But then there's more, enclosing the outdoor bath and the waterfall bath is some amazing tile. They are in a green / brown / gray glaze and mounted at different heights. The tiles themselves look like imaginary terraforms or fossil remains of plants and animal footsteps. Just outstanding. As baths go there is a great selection and everything feels extremely clean. The kind man working the front was friendly and inviting. Highly recommend sento like all places in this area. Visit Date: June 2021
Shingu Onsen
Shingu Onsen
Japanese Name: 新宮温泉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Osaka - JotoAddress: 大阪市城東区鴫野東３－２８－１３Access: 10 min from JR or Osaka Metro Shigino StationType: SentoPrice: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: WednesdayHours: 15:00-24:00
ReviewFrom the moment when you slide the glass door open and chimes sound out, you will know that this is a unique sento. First, the baths. This is a three level, peak sento with steam and dry saunas. The full range of baths are here and two cold water baths. One is on the lower floor with a stream of water from the ceiling falling 7 meters into the tub. Great to put your shoulders or neck under for a pinpoint massage. I assume they do not want you to put your head or hair into the stream judging by the way the informational sign is written. The second cold water bath is a circular tub with a commanding place overlooking the main floor or of the sento. It is the same general layout as Yakumo Onsen in Amagasaki. The outdoor bath has a shallow and deeper section and is filled from a little waterfall--quality. Which brings me to the second great thing about this sento, the decorations. This sento is covered with things to look at. The outdoor bath is decorated with small coloured lights and plastic ramune bottles. The large light fixture that illuminates the area has a silhouette cut out inside of it to make it look like a full moon with the rabbit making mochi. Inside along the walls of the bath are various sento related texts laminated and posted to the wall. Fun to read while you soak. The stairs are bordered by happy plastic flowers. The decorations continue into the changing room and entrance area. Too much stuff to document here in text. I recommend going there and just enjoying it as a unique museum to the owners’ various interests.
Visit Date: March 2020
ReviewFrom the moment when you slide the glass door open and chimes sound out, you will know that this is a unique sento. First, the baths. This is a three level, peak sento with steam and dry saunas. The full range of baths are here and two cold water baths. One is on the lower floor with a stream of water from the ceiling falling 7 meters into the tub. Great to put your shoulders or neck under for a pinpoint massage. I assume they do not want you to put your head or hair into the stream judging by the way the informational sign is written. The second cold water bath is a circular tub with a commanding place overlooking the main floor or of the sento. It is the same general layout as Yakumo Onsen in Amagasaki. The outdoor bath has a shallow and deeper section and is filled from a little waterfall--quality. Which brings me to the second great thing about this sento, the decorations. This sento is covered with things to look at. The outdoor bath is decorated with small coloured lights and plastic ramune bottles. The large light fixture that illuminates the area has a silhouette cut out inside of it to make it look like a full moon with the rabbit making mochi. Inside along the walls of the bath are various sento related texts laminated and posted to the wall. Fun to read while you soak. The stairs are bordered by happy plastic flowers. The decorations continue into the changing room and entrance area. Too much stuff to document here in text. I recommend going there and just enjoying it as a unique museum to the owners’ various interests.
Visit Date: March 2020
Suzuran Onsen
Suzuran Onsen
Japanese Name: 鈴蘭温泉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Osaka - JotoAddress: 大阪府大阪市城東区成育４丁目２２−７Access: Sekime Station / 関目駅Type: SentoPrice: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: Third ThursdayHours: 6:00-26:00
ReviewA perfect family sento. Came in and the lovely grandmother in the bandai greeted me with a big smile. We had a chat about this site and my love of sento. She was so friendly, as were the people in the changing room.The sento was build in a two story design. The bathing areas and main baths were on the first floor with the sauna, an extra cold bath, some extra washing areas and a little rotenburo up on the second. All the baths were great, hot and refreshing. Super clean too. Up top the sauna seems to be a local gathering place. The owners had decorated it with old ropes and beer cans filled with salt. Seemed like a seafood restaurant from the 70's.I'm feeling really guilty that I didn't take any notes about this sento. It was great. And I can't remember exactly how much it was but I think the sauna was only 20 yen! I asked the grandmother why it was so cheap. She replied that all the locals loved the sauna and she couldn't raise the price on them.Suzuran Onsen is a great local sento that shows what sento are to their neighborhoods and to Japan as a whole.
ReviewA perfect family sento. Came in and the lovely grandmother in the bandai greeted me with a big smile. We had a chat about this site and my love of sento. She was so friendly, as were the people in the changing room.The sento was build in a two story design. The bathing areas and main baths were on the first floor with the sauna, an extra cold bath, some extra washing areas and a little rotenburo up on the second. All the baths were great, hot and refreshing. Super clean too. Up top the sauna seems to be a local gathering place. The owners had decorated it with old ropes and beer cans filled with salt. Seemed like a seafood restaurant from the 70's.I'm feeling really guilty that I didn't take any notes about this sento. It was great. And I can't remember exactly how much it was but I think the sauna was only 20 yen! I asked the grandmother why it was so cheap. She replied that all the locals loved the sauna and she couldn't raise the price on them.Suzuran Onsen is a great local sento that shows what sento are to their neighborhoods and to Japan as a whole.
Tsubohana Onsen
Tsubohana Onsen
Japanese Name: つぼ花温泉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Joto WardAddress: 〒536-0001 大阪府大阪市城東区古市２丁目８−13Access: 10min from Osaka Metro Shinmori-Furuichi Station / 大阪地下鉄 新森古市駅Category: SentoWebpage: https://e-sento.com/tsubohana-onsen/Price: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: 1st, 3rd, 5th WednesdayHours: 15:00-24:00
Review: Here we have a lovely three-level sento that packs a lot into a small place. This design, in general, might be my favorite. The sub-basement steam sauna was piping hot, and the upper-level cold water complemented it perfectly. Also, the small rock-lined outdoor bath was a great place to relax. All over great sento with a seemingly strong local community supporting it. Well worth a visit if you happen to be in the area.
Visit Date: March 2022
Review: Here we have a lovely three-level sento that packs a lot into a small place. This design, in general, might be my favorite. The sub-basement steam sauna was piping hot, and the upper-level cold water complemented it perfectly. Also, the small rock-lined outdoor bath was a great place to relax. All over great sento with a seemingly strong local community supporting it. Well worth a visit if you happen to be in the area.
Visit Date: March 2022
Utopia Shiratama
Utopia Shiratama
Japanese Name: ユートピア白玉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Osaka - JotoAddress: 大阪府大阪市城東区蒲生２－７－３６Access: Kyobashi Station / 京橋駅Type: SentoPrice: Osaka Prefecture Public Bathhouse Association price or cheaper (sauna, if available, may be extra)Holiday: NoneHours: 6:00-26:00
ReviewOnly a short walk from Kyobashi Station is this large sento. Interior it’s a bit worse for wear and not a clean as I would wish, but the selection of baths and great atmosphere make up for any shortcomings. Shiratama is one of those unique baths that is very deep Osaka. The saunas are hot and large. There's a lukewarm not so deep long rectangular bath that's set aside as a kid's pool. The cold water bath has a great wide waterfall filling it. Overall the best bath is the well water filled rotenburo. It's not an onsen as the well is a cold water well and the water is heated for the baths. That said, the water has a strong spring water feel to it--better than other real "onsen" at supersento that charge twice the price. This might not be a good place for the sento beginner, but for anyone who loves Osaka and loves sento it's more than worth the walk.
ReviewOnly a short walk from Kyobashi Station is this large sento. Interior it’s a bit worse for wear and not a clean as I would wish, but the selection of baths and great atmosphere make up for any shortcomings. Shiratama is one of those unique baths that is very deep Osaka. The saunas are hot and large. There's a lukewarm not so deep long rectangular bath that's set aside as a kid's pool. The cold water bath has a great wide waterfall filling it. Overall the best bath is the well water filled rotenburo. It's not an onsen as the well is a cold water well and the water is heated for the baths. That said, the water has a strong spring water feel to it--better than other real "onsen" at supersento that charge twice the price. This might not be a good place for the sento beginner, but for anyone who loves Osaka and loves sento it's more than worth the walk.
*Closed* Maneki-yu
*Closed* Maneki-yu
Japanese Name: まねき湯Prefecture: OsakaCity: Osaka-JotoAddress: 大阪府大阪市城東区中浜3-25-20Type: Sento
Review*Closed* Inside developed Kansai I didn't expect to see a sento this rundown. The tilework was interesting but there were lots of cracks and missing tiles. Some of the faucets didn’t work. the two baths were clean enough and the changing room felt clean but the entire place was falling apart. Nice enough but not one that I can recommend.
Review*Closed* Inside developed Kansai I didn't expect to see a sento this rundown. The tilework was interesting but there were lots of cracks and missing tiles. Some of the faucets didn’t work. the two baths were clean enough and the changing room felt clean but the entire place was falling apart. Nice enough but not one that I can recommend.
*Closed* Momokusa-yu
*Closed* Momokusa-yu
Japanese Name: 百草湯Prefecture: OsakaCity: Osaka - JotoAddress: 大阪府大阪市城東区諏訪１丁目２−２４Type: Sento
Review*Closed* Nice large sento. Octagonal main bath with a shallow and deep parts. There is a big concrete duck in the bath. Looks like it was stolen from a city park! There's a squirrel too near the jet baths. Refreshing radon bath. Shallow rotenburo with a small waterfall ties it all together. Nice tiles too! Recommended! Make sure to check out the kushi-katsu restaurant on the other side of the park from the sento. It looks like its in a family house. Great place with some INSANELY spicy options.
Interior photos: http://ameblo.jp/cherry69honey/entry-11516706087.html
Review*Closed* Nice large sento. Octagonal main bath with a shallow and deep parts. There is a big concrete duck in the bath. Looks like it was stolen from a city park! There's a squirrel too near the jet baths. Refreshing radon bath. Shallow rotenburo with a small waterfall ties it all together. Nice tiles too! Recommended! Make sure to check out the kushi-katsu restaurant on the other side of the park from the sento. It looks like its in a family house. Great place with some INSANELY spicy options.
Interior photos: http://ameblo.jp/cherry69honey/entry-11516706087.html
*Closed* Tofuku Onsen
*Closed* Tofuku Onsen
Japanese Name: 東福温泉Prefecture: OsakaCity: Osaka-JotoAddress: 大阪府大阪市城東区古市3-15-23Type: Sento
Review*Closed* Found this place walking from Tsurumi-rokuchi and didn’t have a bath set with me. I did have my daughter and my nephew however. My wife was fine with waiting in the women’s side and not going in—despite saying that it looked like a good sento—while I took the kids with me. The large not too deep warm swimming pool bath was a hit for the two 5 year olds. They didn’t want to leave! They actually bring up going all the way across Osaka to go back to swim in that bath. Besides the pool, there was a good selection of normal baths along with a little garden. Tofuku is a quality sento that is right above a subway station. I also liked the selection of “mens” reading materials and ashtrays in the changing room. This sento keeps it real.
Review*Closed* Found this place walking from Tsurumi-rokuchi and didn’t have a bath set with me. I did have my daughter and my nephew however. My wife was fine with waiting in the women’s side and not going in—despite saying that it looked like a good sento—while I took the kids with me. The large not too deep warm swimming pool bath was a hit for the two 5 year olds. They didn’t want to leave! They actually bring up going all the way across Osaka to go back to swim in that bath. Besides the pool, there was a good selection of normal baths along with a little garden. Tofuku is a quality sento that is right above a subway station. I also liked the selection of “mens” reading materials and ashtrays in the changing room. This sento keeps it real.