Japanese Onsen

[Senpai1997]

I've been to a supposedly regular public onsen in Osaka in 2018 called Kompira where customers are mostly if not totally gay. There were had quite a lot of discreet action going on here and there in the hidden areas and corner. Guys sit in the pool and just feel up one another in the water. I had quite a a bit of handjobs and oral. Think the owner definitely knows whats going on but they don't seem to care. Very local and old feel. Mixed crowd from young to very mature. Tattoos allowed - i have several palm sized tattoos on my back.

Wow, I didn’t think if anyone has been to the place. Lol I’ve been to Kompira and I like the place too, but I have some concerns.

The place is family owned and the original owner is very old, so their son/grandson sometimes help to run the place. Apparently, the son/grandson are not tolerant to what’s happening inside and they sometimes call the police. I read they called the police a few times this year. I also heard the they tend to show up early in the evening, so maybe you should get there after 8-9pm.

And Kompira is not a tourist friendly place. You have to bring your own towel and shampoo/soap —technically you can rent it but what they have is more like a cloth. And the reception is very rude to everyone.

Anyway, I didn’t mention about the place because I can’t be responsible whatever happens. And the place is not legit gay sauna anyway. Lol

 

[deleted6921191]

Staying in karaksa hotel in Sapporo. On a Saturday there are already some young guys in the bath from 8 am.

 

[madraglic]

Do they allow tattoos?
Not that I have any.
Just I know it would cut down the number of westerners.

Not technically, but I saw guys with smallish ones and noone did anything to stop them

 

[deleted22691761]

A couple of people and I in another thread have been talking about Onsens in Japan, does anyone here have any Onsen story's?

I have attached pictures of an Onsen in a hostel in Japan I stayed in, lots of Europeans guys staying and you must be naked inside so plenty on show!

Do you have the names of this hostel? Any recommendations for Tokyo, Osaka or onsen towns with European backpackers?

 

[deleted22691761]

Staying in karaksa hotel in Sapporo. On a Saturday there are already some young guys in the bath from 8 am.

Hey do u have a list of recommended places to stay with onsen? Ideally hostel with foreigners? Your recommendation for Anshin-Oyado looks great

 

[deleted6921191]

Not technically, but I saw guys with smallish ones and noone did anything to stop them

I saw the same too. But in some cases they might ask you to cover your tattoo with some tape before going in.

 

[deleted6921191]

Hey do u have a list of recommended places to stay with onsen? Ideally hostel with foreigners? Your recommendation for Anshin-Oyado looks g

If you're only looking for accommodation with a public bath/onsen, it is pretty easy to find. In budget hotels I usually see more young people. Some capsule hotels only accept male guests and have only a public bath but no private showers, so basically all guys have to take a bath there. The more expensive ones have older guests and are usually not very crowded. So I would recommend male capsule hotels like Anshin Oyado. I have been to two (Shinjuku and Akihabara), and I think the one in Shinjuku is better. Or you could choose a budget hotel like APA hotel (but remember to find one with a public bath, because not every APA hotel has it). And if you're travelling to big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, I'm sure most things will be foreigner friendly and explained in English.

 

[golarka]

Candeo Tokyo Shimbashi has quite nice sento on the top floor with sauna and open-air hot bath.
Quite crowded during peak hours with lots of foreign tourists and Japanese on what mostly seems to be business trips (age range: mostly 25-35 I guess).

 

[Steve533]

Candeo Tokyo Shimbashi has quite nice sento on the top floor with sauna and open-air hot bath.
Quite crowded during peak hours with lots of foreign tourists and Japanese on what mostly seems to be business trips (age range: mostly 25-35 I guess).

Thanks for the recommendation. What are the peak hours out of curiosity?

Thanks

 

[golarka]

Thanks for the recommendation. What are the peak hours out of curiosity?

Thanks

Their little spa's open nearly 24h with a short technical break and I've only been there in the evening so it's hard to tell, but I'd say 6-11 PM (it may also depend on a day (weekday or weekend) IMO).

 

[deleted22691761]

I’m going February - March, and have decided to take oook’s suggestion. A cheap capsule hotel in shinkjuku that has public baths only. Sure way to experience bathing with others. Hopefully lots of back packing foreigners and tourists.

 

[June in Tokyo]

I’m going February - March, and have decided to take oook’s suggestion. A cheap capsule hotel in shinkjuku that has public baths only. Sure way to experience bathing with others. Hopefully lots of back packing foreigners and tourists.

This is good but i would still recommend to go to a public Sento/bathhouse in tokyo. Most busy would be from 3pm onwards on weekends. Weekdays is usually not as packed but still quite a crowd.

If you are looking for foreigners (by that i assume caucasians and not asian those of asian decent), i usually a couple whenever i visit these sentos

1.
SPABLIC AKASAKA -SAUNA ONSEN
+81 3-5561-7544
SPABLIC AKASAKA -SAUNA ONSEN · Japan, 〒107-0052 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 3 Chome−10−4 赤坂 月世界ビル 3F

2.
Tsunashima gensen Yukemuri no sho
+81 45-545-4126
Tsunashima gensen Yukemuri no sho · 3 Chome-7-61 Tarumachi, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 222-0001, Japan

3. Maenohara Onsen Sayano Yudokoro
+81 3-5916-3826
Maenohara Onsen Sayano Yudokoro · 3 Chome-41-1 Maenocho, Itabashi City, Tokyo 174-0063, Japan

4. THE SPA 成城
+81 3-5429-1526
THE SPA 成城 · Japan, 〒157-0071 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Chitosedai, 3 Chome−20−2 セントラルウェルネスタウン ２階

5. Thermae-Yu
+81 3-5285-1726
Thermae-Yu · 1 Chome-1-2 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan

6.
Tokyo Somei Onsen SAKURA
+81 3-5907-5566
Tokyo Somei Onsen SAKURA · 5 Chome-4-24 Komagome, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0003, Japan

7. Oyata onsen Myojin Hot Spring
+81 3-5613-2683
Oyata onsen Myojin Hot Spring · 1 Chome-18-1 Oyata, Adachi City, Tokyo 120-0001, Japan

 

[Flynn Spears]

Here's my two cents from the amazing trip to Japan early this year:

1. Communal bath in Hotel
- Pros: easy to access you can go there anytime you want, free of charge it's included in your room fee, can meet different foreigners in case you want more "exotic".
- Cons: quite small, not many pools/saunas to try, not always crowded as you would want it to be, cause it's a hotel people come and go frequently you can't catch them all like Pokemon.

2. Classic typical sento
- Pros: have a "traditional" vibe, beautiful decorations (Mount Fuji on the wall etc), many pools/saunas to try and chairs to rest, mostly attended by locals in case you want more "Asian".
- Cons: big NO with tattoo they're very strict about it, guests are more towards the older side, as young people prefer super sento, imagine it's a hangout place in your residental neighborhood, more crowded in late evening when people get home from work.

3. Super sento & Authentic onsen
Super sento: huge facility where you can rest and eat and read mangas after taking a bath, it offers more services than just bathing (normal sento only offers bathing and limited services as they're family-owned not many staff)
Authentic onsen: real hot spring directly from the source, not tap water heated up like regular sento.
I put them in the same category because both attract more people to come.
- Pros: usually crowded esp on weekend (as I want it to be), more people more eye candies, young people tend to enjoy these super sento compared to traditional sento which is only for baths.
- Cons: usually far from city center, if you are a visitor like me, traveling to the place can take you up to 2-3 hours, if you want to catch the last bus back home you can't stay too late.
Of course there are still some super sentos near city center, easier to access.

My recommendations are:
- Spa World in Osaka (it's fcking HUGE you'll love it)
- Spadium in Tokyo (very popularcause it's close enough, from central Tokyo you can get there in less than 2 hours)

I'm not Japanese so these observations may not be entirely correct. I would love if someone living in Japan can tell me what to consider next time, or probably text me about their experience. I definitely want to visit Japan again and explore more.

Hope you guys all have great experience in Japan!
Happy New Year 2024

 

[deleted22691761]

This is good but i would still recommend to go to a public Sento/bathhouse in tokyo. Most busy would be from 3pm onwards on weekends. Weekdays is usually not as packed but still quite a crowd.

If you are looking for foreigners (by that i assume caucasians and not asian those of asian decent), i usually a couple whenever i visit these sentos

1.
SPABLIC AKASAKA -SAUNA ONSEN
+81 3-5561-7544
SPABLIC AKASAKA -SAUNA ONSEN · Japan, 〒107-0052 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 3 Chome−10−4 赤坂 月世界ビル 3F

2.
Tsunashima gensen Yukemuri no sho
+81 45-545-4126
Tsunashima gensen Yukemuri no sho · 3 Chome-7-61 Tarumachi, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 222-0001, Japan

3. Maenohara Onsen Sayano Yudokoro
+81 3-5916-3826
Maenohara Onsen Sayano Yudokoro · 3 Chome-41-1 Maenocho, Itabashi City, Tokyo 174-0063, Japan

4. THE SPA 成城
+81 3-5429-1526
THE SPA 成城 · Japan, 〒157-0071 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Chitosedai, 3 Chome−20−2 セントラルウェルネスタウン ２階

5. Thermae-Yu
+81 3-5285-1726
Thermae-Yu · 1 Chome-1-2 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan

6.
Tokyo Somei Onsen SAKURA
+81 3-5907-5566
Tokyo Somei Onsen SAKURA · 5 Chome-4-24 Komagome, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0003, Japan

7. Oyata onsen Myojin Hot Spring
+81 3-5613-2683
Oyata onsen Myojin Hot Spring · 1 Chome-18-1 Oyata, Adachi City, Tokyo 120-0001, Japan

Thank you so much for both your recommendations

 

[deleted22691761]

Here's my two cents from the amazing trip to Japan early this year:

1. Communal bath in Hotel
- Pros: easy to access you can go there anytime you want, free of charge it's included in your room fee, can meet different foreigners in case you want more "exotic".
- Cons: quite small, not many pools/saunas to try, not always crowded as you would want it to be, cause it's a hotel people come and go frequently you can't catch them all like Pokemon.

2. Classic typical sento
- Pros: have a "traditional" vibe, beautiful decorations (Mount Fuji on the wall etc), many pools/saunas to try and chairs to rest, mostly attended by locals in case you want more "Asian".
- Cons: big NO with tattoo they're very strict about it, guests are more towards the older side, as young people prefer super sento, imagine it's a hangout place in your residental neighborhood, more crowded in late evening when people get home from work.

3. Super sento & Authentic onsen
Super sento: huge facility where you can rest and eat and read mangas after taking a bath, it offers more services than just bathing (normal sento only offers bathing and limited services as they're family-owned not many staff)
Authentic onsen: real hot spring directly from the source, not tap water heated up like regular sento.
I put them in the same category because both attract more people to come.
- Pros: usually crowded esp on weekend (as I want it to be), more people more eye candies, young people tend to enjoy these super sento compared to traditional sento which is only for baths.
- Cons: usually far from city center, if you are a visitor like me, traveling to the place can take you up to 2-3 hours, if you want to catch the last bus back home you can't stay too late.
Of course there are still some super sentos near city center, easier to access.

My recommendations are:
- Spa World in Osaka (it's fcking HUGE you'll love it)
- Spadium in Tokyo (very popularcause it's close enough, from central Tokyo you can get there in less than 2 hours)

I'm not Japanese so these observations may not be entirely correct. I would love if someone living in Japan can tell me what to consider next time, or probably text me about their experience. I definitely want to visit Japan again and explore more.

Hope you guys all have great experience in Japan!
Happy New Year 2024

Do you have any recommendations for hotels with communal sento?

 

[Flynn Spears]

Do you have any recommendations for hotels with communal sento?

Last time I wanted to save cost so I only stayed at normal dorm without communal baths. Anyway, rooms in Japan - especially Tokyo - are freaking expensive, so don't be surprised if hotels with communal baths are even more expensive than the regular ones. For recommendations, try Booking.com app, check out the number of reviews (1000+ is ideal), the average score, and the photos of their communal baths.

Please note that even when it's a male-only capsule/dorm hotel (which is quite popular in Japan), it is NOT a gay place by any means.

Hope you will have an amazing trip! Good luck!

 

[Flynn Spears]

Since we are on this topic, may I ask fellow Japanese to suggest one:

I have a thing for clothed/naked situations, I'm looking for a place where guest can undress get naked with the cashier/receptionist/owner around or nearby.
Usually you pay money then go through a door to the locker room to undress. What I would like to see is: after you pay, you will need to undress at very close to the cashier counter, the cashier/receptionist/owner can see you naked if they want to, no door or whatsoever, you can undress and rest naked with many clothed people around you (something similar to the attached photo - top left).
I think they don't put rest chairs in the locker area to save space, and the locker is always far separated with the counter, so I'm wondering where it can happen like that.

Thank you in advance for any recommendations!

 

[Senpai1997]

Since we are on this topic, may I ask fellow Japanese to suggest one:

I have a thing for clothed/naked situations, I'm looking for a place where guest can undress get naked with the cashier/receptionist/owner around or nearby.
Usually you pay money then go through a door to the locker room to undress. What I would like to see is: after you pay, you will need to undress at very close to the cashier counter, the cashier/receptionist/owner can see you naked if they want to, no door or whatsoever, you can undress and rest naked with many clothed people around you (something similar to the attached photo - top left).
I think they don't put rest chairs in the locker area to save space, and the locker is always far separated with the counter, so I'm wondering where it can happen like that.

Thank you in advance for any recommendations!

I think this is very old style Sento. I've never been to this kind of Sento except for Kompira Onsen in Osaka. (that I talked earlier this sub)

 

[Flynn Spears]

I think this is very old style Sento. I've never been to this kind of Sento except for Kompira Onsen in Osaka. (that I talked earlier this sub)

Yah I know the exact scenario I imagine is rare and hard to find. Maybe next time I will find a male-only regular sento, then walk out naked to the counter, and pretend to "ask something"
I'm a foreigner so they may tolerate me lol. I don't mind being seen naked by women but I don't want to scare them in mixed sento, so I need to find a male-only one. Kindly suggest if you know any (other than Kompira)

I very much enjoy open-air bath (Rotenburo) - the bigger the better, also want to try mixed bathing (Konyoku) but they are usually very far to go

 

[golarka]

Thank you in advance for any recommendations!

Would this sento in Kyoto fit your criteria?
Hinode-yu · 26-6 Nishikujo Karahashicho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8423, Japan