Going to Japan is not complete without going for a hot spring bath, right? So in our December 2013 trip to Tokyo, we knew we had to find a good spot for a nice warm relaxing bath.
Swimsuit onsen, Shin-Urayasu
If you love Japanese culture, I bet you have come across the onsen culture. Onsen or hot spring, as we know it in English, is so popular in Japan that there are specific onsen towns where you can find hot spring water pretty much at every hotel or corner bath house.
One reservation that I had with most onsen in Japan is that you are meant to go in naked. I’m not used to that culture and it was one I was a little unwilling to try. Plus, going with the hubby means that I’d have to be separated with him (if we were to choose the segregated kind). So, the first time we visited Japan, we went to an onsen theme park in Hakone called Yunessun where we could actually wear our swimsuits.
This time around, we decided to give Ooedo-onsen Monogatari Mangekyo at Shin Urayasu a try. It is another swimsuit onsen but instead of the theme park style, this one’s more natural and all outdoor. Plus, it’s not very far from central Tokyo.
Being only about 20 minutes away from Tokyo Station by train, the Shin-Urayasu branch of Ooedo Onsen is not far from Tokyo Disney area. In fact, it is a very close distance from Maihama Station! So, this makes Ooedo Onsen Mangekyo a very good location for a half day trip, or a night time getaway – which was what we did.
Once you arrive at Shin-Urayasu Station, it is best to ask someone (and bring a print out of the name of this onsen in Japanese) to find the location of the free shuttle bus. Yep, there’s a free shuttle bus, which is really handy – and there’s the bus schedule on their website, you just need to Google translate.
Upon arrival, you could really feel the traditional atmosphere that they try to recreate. It’s like being transported into an old Edo town.
We went in, took our shoes off and placed them in the lockers. Then we queued up for our cool wristband/locker key/money beeper. If you didn’t bring your swimsuit, there is a shop that sells some really kawaii Japanese-style swimsuits (i.e. very very cute).
Then, the girls and the boys had to separate to go into their own locker areas. I took some photos of the locker areas since they were empty.
After the second photo, my friend pointed out that there was a “no photo” sign. So, no more photos from here on, sorry peeps, just following the rules!
We had quite a bit of fun trying out different style outdoor onsen – and this was my first night onsen experience, which was pretty cool (and literally, cold). My favourite would have to be this igloo-shaped area in which we could lie down and relax by the side or dip our feet in. There are some photos on their website to give you an idea…
Once we were done, we walked out to the food court area wearing our yukata (included in the package).
There were a number of options for food. But it wasn’t the food that brought us here, so don’t expect too much.
Once we were done, we headed back to Tokyo (via shuttle bus and then train from Shin-Urayasu again)… It was a great experience! I think the hubby still preferred Yunessun, due to its variety of indoor and outdoor onsen and the many unique pools that were there (from coffee to green tea to honey).
Have you been to a hot spring before? Let me know your onsen experiences below…
I’ve only read that this onsen does not allow swimsuits. You are the only one that mentioned swimsuits are allowed.. can you explain more of where it is allowed? Like outside baths underneath a yukata or in another theme park area? I also read there weren’t any unisex baths.. unless you’re talking about a unisex pool?
Hi Jean, I think you might be thinking of the more popular Ooedo Onsen at Odaiba, in which case, the only non-naked area will be the theme park and the foot bath.
This particular Ooedo Onsen is the one at Shin-Urayasu, about 20 minutes away by train from Tokyo Station (and another short shuttle bus ride). This one actually has a reasonable amount of outdoor area in which swimsuit is required (as it is mixed bath). They also have the traditional onsen area, gender-segregated, and you don’t need to pay extra, but I didn’t give that a try.
Here’s some info from their website (in Japanese, but just Google translate): http://www.ooedoonsen.jp/urayasu/onsen/mizugi.html :) Hope this helps.
in the oedo onsen, the segregated gender baths, the boys go to their onsen naked and the girls go to their onsen naked too. am i right? but there are baths that you get to mingle with others (boys and girls) wherein you are encouraged to wear your swimsuits… am i right? am asking cuz we are going to japan for a vacation next year and oedo onsen is in our itinerary. thanks… would appreciate a reply.
Hi Marie, there are actually a few Ooedo Onsen, the most popular one in Odaiba where the only mixed area is the footbath. The one I visited is in Shin-Urayasu, where there is actually a mixed gender outdoor onsen where swimsuit is required, so yes, there are naked area segregated by gender – I believe they are indoor onsen, and then there’s the mixed area. It’s a lovely place, so I highly recommend it. Hope this is helpful!
So which one do you recommend for family? Urayasu or Odaiba one? Thanks
Hello Andri, if you wish to enjoy the bath with the whole family (dad & mum & kids), then I’ll suggest the Shin-Urayasu one. The one in Odaiba is more accessible, however only the foot bath and marketplace / food area are open to all. The baths are separated by gender. Hope this helps! :)
I am planning a trip to Disney and would like to go to an Onsen with our family. My teenage son wants to have a swimsuit. How would I get to this Onsen from Tokyo Disney. Their website is in Japanese, so I do not understand it .Any other points of interest around Tokyo Disney that we should go to? How about shopping outside the Disney park without having to go to downtown Tokyo? Is it a good time to go in the first two weeks of July? Thank you,
Hi Vivianne, from Disney’s Maihama Station you can take the JR Keiyo line and stop at Shin-Urayasu Station. For timetable, please check http://www.hyperdia.com/en/ to plan. There is a free shuttle bus from the station to the onsen (please ask information or people around if you can’t find it). It will be summer in July, so I’m not sure how comfortable hot spring will be in hot weather, but please do let me know your experience as I’d like to know as well! :)
In terms of shopping, Disney has the Ikspiari mall, but I can’t remember if there were a lot of things to shop for… Their food court has plenty of food to choose from, and probably a cheaper option than eating in Disney. But if you’re going to Disney, I assume you probably would also want to eat in there as part of the experience. Hope that helps!
Hello Julie! Your post is very useful about This onsen, but I have one question: do you have to make reservation for enter? Thank you !
No you do not need reservation to enter the onsen. If you want to stay there, then you’ll need to book the accommodation (Japanese site only)! Hope you’ll have an enjoyable experience there Roberta! :)
Thank you for your blog post. It was still useful in 2018. The shuttle timetable link has changed though, to http://urayasu.ooedoonsen.jp/other/access-bus2_b.html
Hi Julie! Is there a fee to enter this onsen?
Hello Tiffany, yes there is. The fee is about ¥1500 on a weekday and slightly more expensive on weekends!
Hi.. Did you go there during winter?