Discover Tokyo's Best Saunas: 7 Must-Visit Spots for Beginners and Women

【1】Spa Laqua

If you want to enjoy a relaxing sauna experience and indulge in ultimate bliss in Tokyo, Spa Laqua in Korakuen is highly recommended. The adults-only resort space, "Healing Bade," features low-temperature saunas using yellow soil and germanium, as well as spacious relaxation areas.

As soon as you step inside, you'll find yourself in an oriental space reminiscent of a tropical resort. With designated attire for the area, it's perfect for groups of women or couples to enjoy.

One sauna that deserves special attention among the many is the Finnish-style "Löyly." Löyly refers to a sauna where aromatic water is poured over sauna stones, creating steam for the sauna experience. You can even enjoy a reservation-based Löyly service performed by staff. Immerse yourself in the sauna while being soothed by the weekly rotating aromatherapy oils.

In addition to the saunas, there are natural hot springs, relaxation spaces, and a restaurant offering body-friendly menus, allowing you to leisurely spend the whole day. Why not visit when you want a refreshing change of pace in Tokyo?

■ Spa Laqua

• 1-1 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
• 1-minute walk from "Korakuen Station," 2-minute walk from "Kasuga Station"

【2】Solo Sauna Tune

Experience an authentic Finnish sauna in a private room at "Solo Sauna Tune." The chic interior with indirect lighting creates a perfect space to relax and calm your mind away from the hustle and bustle.

The sauna uses sauna stoves imported from Finland, allowing you to enjoy an authentic atmosphere right here in Japan. You can also try the "Löyly" with birch aroma water. It's a self-service sauna, so you can enjoy it whenever and however you like.

The single rooms provide a comfortable space where you can fully relax, even lying down. With a timer available, it's also recommended for taking a nap when you feel like it.

There's also a group room available for up to three people, where female friends can enjoy chatting and relaxing together. It's exclusively for women and equipped with amenities like hair dryers and skincare products in the powder room. When you want to refresh, why not visit Solo Sauna Tune for a rejuvenating sauna experience for both your mind and body?

■ Solo Sauna Tune

• 23-1 Tenjincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
• 3-minute walk from "Kagurazaka Station," 7-minute walk from "Edogawabashi Station," 9-minute walk from "Ushigome Kagurazaka Station"

【3】Sauna Lab

"Sauna Lab," opened in Kanda in 2021, is a popular Finnish sauna facility with branches in Nagoya and Fukuoka. The space, created through research on Finnish saunas, exudes a stylish atmosphere that Nordic enthusiasts can't resist.

There are three types of saunas available. The "IKE Room" with dim lighting is perfect for meditation, and the "OKE Room" with a design inspired by a bucket has received high praise for its ambiance.

The "Ice Sauna," serving as a substitute for a cold water bath, allows you to experience a different kind of refreshing sensation with its cold steam shower. Apart from the Ice Sauna, you can also experience Löyly at your own pace.

Outside the sauna area, there is a workspace with a warm wooden ambiance. With Wi-Fi available, it's also recommended when you need to concentrate on work. Don't miss the "Sauna Market," where various sauna items are available.

■ Sauna Lab

• 3-9 Kanda-Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
• Approximately 7-minute walk from "Jimbocho Station"

【4】ROOFTOP

"ROOFTOP" in Nishiogikubo is a Finnish-style sauna facility boasting the largest space in Tokyo. With separate sauna spaces for men and women, it also features a rooftop "to-tonoi" area, making the most of its name.

In the center of the sauna room, sauna stoves and automatic löyly are installed, and plenty of domestically sourced hinoki wood is used. The serene and soothing atmosphere is quite appealing. With its spaciousness, it allows you to relax freely in your preferred sitting position.

The water bath here is a personal type that you can enjoy luxuriously all by yourself. Being outdoor, you can fully savor the sense of openness. After the water bath, you can stretch your legs and take a break in the "fresh air bathing space" right away.

The fresh air bathing space for women is divided into two areas, one indoor and one outdoor. It is designed to ensure privacy from the outside, and with the provision of ponchos for women, you can relax outdoors with peace of mind.

■ ROOFTOP

• 4F, 3-14-7 Nishiogi-minami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
• Directly connected to "Nishiogikubo Station"

【5】LESSS

Located just a 0-minute walk from "Oimachi Station," LESSS is a newly opened private sauna facility. It is recommended for those who want to enjoy the sauna all to themselves in the heart of the city, and it also has group rooms available for 2-3 people.

With a fully reservation-based system and online prepayment, you won't feel any stress on the day of your visit. The facility is well-equipped with amenities such as towels, skincare products, lotion, and makeup removers.

After receiving mineral water at the reception, you can start your shower time in your private room. The sauna room offers a spacious space where you can lie down and take deep breaths, allowing your mind and body to relax. Choose your favorite from three types of aroma water and experience self-löyly. Enjoy an exquisite moment enveloped in a pleasant fragrance and steam.

After sweating it out in the sauna, you can cool your body with a refreshing ice shower or sit on a bench and relax. Let yourself unwind and soothe away the daily fatigue.

■ LESSS

• 2,3F Oimachi Station Square, 5-2-13 Higashi-Oi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
• Approximately 30 seconds walk from "Oimachi Station"

【6】ひとりサウナプラス

If you want to enjoy a Finnish-style sauna in a private setting, "Hitori Sauna Plus" located just a short walk from Ebisu is the perfect facility. It features a sophisticated interior design, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an exclusive hideaway.

With only five private sauna rooms, you can comfortably experience everything from changing, showering, to relaxing all by yourself, making it a safe choice even for sauna beginners.

The showers here use "Miraburu," an overhead shower that produces a gentle mist, providing a pleasant sensation.

The sauna temperature is set between 86 to 88 degrees Celsius. You can adjust it to your preferred temperature with löyly. Instead of using aroma water, they offer the natural fragrance of hinoki wood. With spacious sauna benches measuring two meters in length, you can stretch your legs and even lie down, adding to the delightful experience.

■ Hitori Sauna Plus

• 1F Lujente Ebisu, 2-7-8 Ebisu-minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Approximately 5 minutes walk from the west exit of JR Yamanote Line "Ebisu Station" or approximately 4 minutes walk from the Hibiya Line "Ebisu Station"

【7】Times Spa Lesta

"Times Spa Lesta" is located about an 8-minute walk from "Ikebukuro Station." It offers various types of indoor and outdoor baths, making it a recommended facility for those who love bathing.

In the men's bath, they have a Finnish sauna equipped with automatic löyly. They also regularly hold Aufguss events where you can experience löyly performed by the staff.

In the women's bath, the Clear Mist Sauna creates a space with a white-themed exotic atmosphere. It can also be used as a "salt sauna" with beneficial effects for the skin. It's a great service for beauty enthusiasts. Additionally, there are other facilities such as the "Shape-Up Bath" that can be used while standing, jet baths, and reclining baths, providing a soothing space designed for women's beauty and health.

After enjoying the sauna and baths, you may want to visit the lounge area designed for comfort. You can even watch movies in your own personal space. Take a break from the busyness of daily life and treat yourself to a luxurious time of relaxation.

■ Times Spa Lesta

• 10F-12F Times Station Ikebukuro, 4-25-9 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
• Approximately 8 minutes walk from the east exit of "Ikebukuro Station"

What are the effects of sauna?

"Sauna has a positive image for the body, but what are its effects?"

Here, I will introduce five beneficial effects of sauna. I will also provide some tips and precautions to maximize the effects. If you are a sauna beginner, please take them into consideration.

Relaxation Effect

Entering a sauna activates the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to overall relaxation and recovery from fatigue. Due to the influence of the internet and social media, we often receive excessive information, which can disrupt the balance of our autonomic nervous system.

When the sympathetic nervous system becomes excessively active, it disrupts the balance of the autonomic nervous system, preventing the body and mind from resting. That's why it's important to increase parasympathetic activity in the sauna and achieve a state of relaxation.

To further enhance the effect, it is recommended to take a cold water bath or an ice shower after the sauna and repeat the process of cooling down in the fresh air two to three times. Deep breathing, which also increases parasympathetic activity, can be practiced simultaneously, providing a more comprehensive relaxation experience.

Improved Sleep Quality

Recent studies have shown that saunas have a positive effect on sleep in addition to relaxation. It increases the duration of deep sleep, allowing for a more restful sleep.

In addition, the sauna is a perfect place to disconnect from smartphones and computers and focus on oneself. By closing your eyes and meditating in a quiet environment, you can further relax your mind and body. Blue light from digital devices can also interfere with sleep, so regular sauna sessions can help counteract these effects.

Improved Circulation and Warmth

Saunas have the effect of warming the body from the core, improving blood circulation, and helping to alleviate coldness. When you enter a sauna, your capillaries expand. Afterward, when you cool your body with a cold water bath or other means, the capillaries constrict, resulting in improved overall blood circulation.

There are various causes of coldness, such as imbalances in the autonomic nervous system, excessive use of air conditioning or digital devices during the summer, among others. In particular, women may experience worsening coldness due to muscle loss.

The sauna, which helps regulate the autonomic nervous system and warms the entire body, is perfect for addressing coldness. However, be careful not to overexert yourself, especially if you are a sauna beginner, as staying in the sauna for too long can strain the body.

Increased Metabolism

Saunas also have a metabolism-boosting effect. After a sauna session, being in the fresh air leads to increased secretion of thyroid hormones, resulting in an elevated metabolism.

An increased metabolism contributes to fat burning. Therefore, with long-term sauna useand continued sweating, sauna sessions can potentially aid in weight loss. As sweating helps eliminate water and salt from the body, sauna use can also help reduce water retention and alleviate bloating.

One important point to note is the post-sauna meal. After a sauna session, your body becomes more susceptible to calorie absorption, and your appetite may increase. It's best to avoid overeating or consuming high-calorie meals during this time.

Experience a Relaxing Sauna in Tokyo!

In this article, we introduced sauna facilities in Tokyo that are perfect for a relaxing sauna experience, even for beginners. We have carefully selected spots that are welcoming to women as well.

In the midst of a busy life, it's easy to neglect self-care. That's why we encourage you to take some time for yourself and enjoy the soothing experience of a sauna. It offers various benefits for both your health and beauty.

Whether it's to unwind, improve sleep, address coldness, boost metabolism, or simply indulge in some self-care, sauna can provide a rejuvenating experience. So, take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and treat yourself to a peaceful sauna session.

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