Riding on the sauna boom in Japan, sauna facilities are popping up everywhere! For sauna enthusiasts, it’s nothing but joy. Especially in Akasaka, Tokyo, many sauna facilities were born in 2023. Among these fantastic saunas, we’ll introduce the unparalleled “SAUNA TOKYO” this time!!!
The location is Akasaka in Tokyo! Akasaka is one of Tokyo’s leading business districts, with numerous office buildings and commercial facilities. There are countless restaurants, so you won’t have trouble finding a place to eat! Additionally, Akasaka is famous as an upscale residential area with luxury apartments lining the streets.
“SAUNA TOKYO” boasts a fantastic location, just a 1-minute walk from Akasaka Station on the Chiyoda subway line!
Once you arrive at the station, head towards Exit 1! “SAUNA TOKYO” is right there!!
Arrived!! The exterior has the atmosphere of a modern Japanese inn, blending stylish and chic elements with a touch of traditional Japanese charm. This raises expectations considerably! First, let’s check out the facilities.
“SAUNA TOKYO” is primarily a men-only sauna facility. (Apologies to the ladies. For information on women-only saunas, please refer to this article.) However, they do have Ladies’ Day, so female visitors can plan their visit on that day. (It might be a bit challenging if you’re just visiting, though…)
Business Hours:
Weekdays: 11:00 AM to 9:00 AM the next day (22 hours of operation)
Weekends and Holidays: 9:30 AM to 9:00 AM the next day (23 hours and 30 minutes of operation)
Weekday Rates: 1 hour: ¥1,600 3 hours: ¥2,700 6 hours: ¥3,900
Weekend and Holiday Rates: 1 hour: ¥1,800 3 hours: ¥3,000 6 hours: ¥4,200
Face towel and bath towel rental (one each) are included in the sauna fee.
Moreover, even if you have tattoos, you can enter by purchasing and applying a dedicated seal at “SAUNA TOKYO.” As mentioned on the website:
For those with tattoos, entry is possible by applying the designated tattoo seal from Sauna Tokyo (¥500). Even if you have multiple or full-body tattoos, applying the seal to one noticeable location allows entry.
Since such facilities are still relatively scarce in Japan for those with tattoos, this is great news! Now, let’s finally take a look inside the facility!
Upon entering the facility, you’ll need to take off your shoes and store them in a locker. At this time, you’ll receive a key, which contains an IC chip for making payments within the facility. This key also functions as the locker key. It’s a simple and convenient system! Payment can be settled at the checkout machine when leaving the facility.
↑↑The locker room looks great—it’s new, so it’s clean and well-maintained. The cleanliness is impressive, and as mentioned earlier, the key for the shoe box doubles as the locker key. The tatami flooring adds a nice touch, doesn’t it?
↑↑ After leaving the changing room, you’ll find the shower area. Let’s wash your hair and body before heading to the sauna. On the 1st floor, there’s even a carbonated spring. On the 2nd floor, you’ll discover 5 sauna rooms, 3 cold water baths, and a relaxation space. Now, let’s take a look at each of the sauna rooms!
1.「Jyoki-Ranbu」 -Löyly Sauna-
The largest sauna room in Tokyo, accommodating over 40 people seated. It utilizes DMX for automated control of sound, lighting, and auto throw-in. The sound system features six speakers and a subwoofer, and they even host Aufguss shows.
The sauna room is equipped with an automatic ventilation system that detects CO2 concentration and ensures ventilation within the sauna room. By bringing in fresh air, it creates a comfortable and refreshing space.
2.「Tejyaku-Jyo-Ki」 -Self Löyly Kero Sauna-
A sauna featuring wood jewels “Kelo” sourced from the Lapland region of Finland. It’s a luxurious sauna, making ample use of Kelo wood known for its rich aroma. You can enjoy a self-throw with hot water, and the featured intake and exhaust ensure a robust steam experience.
*Please confirm the falling of the hourglass to enjoy the self-throw experience.
3.「Meiso」 -Meditation Sauna-
Each booth is enclosed with walls, allowing you to enjoy the sauna without worrying about being seen. The presence of a shower in each booth is also quite convenient. While it’s a slightly lower-temperature Bona Sauna (stove-stored type), the high humidity gives it a perceived higher temperature, providing a leisurely and enjoyable experience. Designed to let you savor a world of your own, immerse yourself in the experience.
4.「Showa-Enseki」 -Super Dry Sauna-
A high-temperature dry sauna utilizing a hot far-infrared stove. This style, known as “Showa Strong Style,” has been present in saunas across Japan even before the sauna boom, evoking the imagery of the Showa era. The inclusion of a television is a characteristic feature of traditional Japanese sauna styles. Personally, it’s fascinating to find such a sauna within the state-of-the-art facility of “SAUNA TOKYO.” Do take the opportunity to experience the sauna rooms that have uniquely developed in Japan.
While “Showa-Enseki” evoked the Showa era, this one further goes back in time, being an arrangement of the style that was popular approximately 200 to 400 years ago during the Edo period. Enjoy the steam while soaking in a shallow bath or sitting on the edge of the tub.
Finally, we’ve finished introducing the sauna rooms ,lol !! Each of them has a distinct personality, so find the sauna that suits your taste!! Now, let’s move on to the introduction of facilities other than the sauna rooms.
↑↑First, let me introduce the cold baths! Just as important as the sauna room for sauna enthusiasts, the cold bath comes in various temperatures to suit your preferences. Rest assured, at “SAUNA TOKYO,” there are three cold baths with temperatures of 8 degrees, 15 degrees, and 20 degrees Celsius. You can quickly tighten your body in the 8-degree bath or enjoy a longer soak in the 22-degree bath. It’s a dream environment for cold bath lovers.
↑↑This is the “Cool Sauna.” It features a pre-chamber at 10 degrees and a cold air bath room at 0 degrees. For those not fond of cold baths, I recommend trying the “Cool Sauna.” It allows for a slower cooldown compared to the cold bath, offering a different kind of refreshing experience.
After the cooldown comes the relaxation time! It’s the most important time for sauna enthusiasts to achieve that “Totonou” state. (For an explanation of “Totonou,” check out this blog!) “SAUNA TOKYO” doesn’t disappoint in this regard either! There’s an amazing relaxation space, as shown above↑↑
Believe it or not, there are 60 relaxation chairs!! In Tokyo saunas, there’s often a shortage of relaxation chairs, and after leaving the cold bath, finding a seat can be a challenge! But here, you don’t need to worry about such things!! Feel free to completely surrender to the “Totonou” experience!!
↑↑ There’s even a tatami space where you can lie down and relax!! Being able to choose your relaxation position is like being in heaven!!
Moreover, in this relaxation area, there’s a drink counter where, for 500 yen, you get unlimited Pocari Sweat and detox water. It’s a self-pour style into an iced glass. There’s no reason not to order this. Hydration before and after the sauna is a must. It’s truly blissful to replenish fluids freely after sweating it out. Your body will appreciate being able to hydrate without any reservations.
It feels like there’s just too much to write, and I’m exhausted, haha. With five saunas and three cold baths, this combination alone offers plenty of enjoyment!! The “SAUNA TOKYO,” bearing the name of Japan’s capital, Tokyo !! Please, when you’re sightseeing in Tokyo, make sure to pay it a visit!!
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