Ooedo Onsen Monogatari

Unfortunately Oodeo Onsen is now permanently closed. If you are looking for a hot spring experience near by try the Heiwajima Onsen.

Onsens are synonymous with Japan and Japanese culture. However, it can be a very foreign idea for Aussies to be hopping in a big hot tub naked with strangers! Ooedo Onsen offers onsen (hot spring) baths but also mixed outdoor foot baths, an Edo style food hall and bar and carnival games such as ninja star throwing – what more could you want!

On arrival, choose your favourite pattern yukata (light summer kimono) to wear, you will be directed to the change rooms and given a locker key. Dress in your yukata with only your underwear underneath and put all your other belongings into the lockers. Your locker key wristband has a barcode that allows you to make purchases while in the onsen.

Coming out of the locker rooms, you will enter the main hall. The main hall is set up in Edo style with paper lanterns, Edo style architecture and paintings, food stalls, bar, carnival games and a souvenir shop. Walking around in your yukata is a lot of fun!

Ooedo Onsen Monogatari has different temperature onsen and indoor as well as outdoor onsen. There is a rock salt sauna for an extra fee as well as a room of resting chairs for a little nap (no charge). However, if you’re not so sure about the naked baths there is still lots to do.

This is the first onsen that we visited and at the time the boys were 2, 5 and 7. We didn’t brave the full onsen experience as hubby would have had to make sure all the boys were following etiquette without disturbing everyone else and that would not have been a relaxing soak! They have all experienced onsen a few times since and love it.

Instead, we opted for the gorgeous outdoor foot bath. This is a mixed area so perfect for families. Enjoy a walk along the water path surrounded by Japanese gardens.

Walk on the pebble stones – which is supposed to massage your feet…

You can also choose to try ‘fish therapy’ for an additional fee, where tiny fish nibble at your feet. Mr 5yo loved it, to me it felt like tickle torture, I could hardly stop laughing! However, I must admit that afterward I felt like I was walking on clouds!

We had lunch in the main hall, choose from the ‘street food’ stalls such as soba, sushi, yakitori or udon and enjoy your meal at the dining tables in the centre. Pay for meals with your wristband. The boys loved going to the vending machine and using their wristband to get a cold bottle of milk!

After lunch what better way to end the adventure than throwing a ninja star or two, playing some carnival games and buying souvenirs at the gift shop!

Once finished, return to the changing rooms to collect your belongings, return your yukata and pay for any purchases made with your wristband.

Taking an Onsen

When taking an onsen there is particular etiquette that must be observed. Onsen is not like a bath we would have in Australia, it is not to wash you clean, rather to soak and relax after you have cleaned yourself.

Here is our crash course on Onsen etiquette but also check this site.

Firstly there will be a separate entrance for women and men leading to separate onsen. Make sure you choose the correct one – it is usually in English. Outside the Onsen there will be baskets for you to place your yukata and underwear in and a small ‘modesty’ towel, to cover yourself as you walk into the onsen. Sit at one of the stools to wash with soap and rinse yourself thoroughly. Be careful not to splash others.

Now you can enter the onsen. Use the modesty towel to cover yourself as best you can but don’t let it go into the water when you go in, it’s considered dirty. Put the towel on the side of the bath or on your head.

Onsen can be hot so you may need to take your time getting into the water. Don’t swim in the onsen and don’t go underwater or get your hair wet – if you have long hair, tie it up.

Once you have had a relax, step out of the onsen and use your modesty towel to cover up. Don’t shower again, but try and towel off a little before going back into the change room to get dressed back into your underwear and yukata.

And if you manage to do that with three young kids you are braver than we are!

Note:

Men and women are separate at most onsen baths. Traditional mixed gender baths or konyoku are pretty rare. Some onsen or Ryokan have family baths that can be booked which is much easier with kids. However, if you are at a traditional onsen and you have three boys like we do then it means Dad has all the kids and Mum it’s your time for a relaxing kid free soak – bliss!!

At Ooedo Onsen Monogatari (and many onsen) you will not be permitted entry if you have a tattoo. In Japan, ink is associated with Yakuza or Japanese organised crime. Check out Tattoo Friendly for onsen, gyms, ryokan and capsule hotels that are tattoo friendly.

Who would enjoy this…

If you’d like to dress up in a yukata, throw a ninja star and have an Onsen experience (or even just a foot bath) then this is the perfect place to go. Even if you are not so keen on the full onsen experience there is heaps to do. Yes it’s a bit touristy but we all had a fantastic time!

How to get here

Train
Telecom Centre station on the Yurikamome line is the closest station.
Tokyo Teleport Station, on the Rinkai line, is also close and there is a free shuttle from the station to the Onsen.

Free shuttle bus
From Tokyo station, Shinagawa station, Kinshicho and Shinjuku (near the Washington Hotel), there are more details on the website.

Driving
Onsite parking ¥1000 for 4 hours
Location: 2-57 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo (Odaiba)
Phone: 03-5500-1126

While in Odaiba also check out

Palette Town is a great place to visit and here you will find Toyota Mega Web and one of the World’s largest Ferris Wheels

Diver City has awesome shopping. out the front is a life-size Gundam statue – try and time the visit to when it transforms into battle mode! Pretty awesome. You can also check out the Gundam cafe for a Gundam hot chocolate ans then visit Tokyo Base for Gundam model kits – awesome souvenirs.

Visit some Museums, such as the Museum of Maritime Science or Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation

teamLab, Planets is only 15 minutes away by train for an interactive light experience the kids will love.

Aquacity Odaiba with shopping and a Ramen theme park to try Ramen from all over Japan.

Decks Tokyo Beach, Joypolis, Lego land Discovery Centre, Madam Tussauds and Trick Art Museum.

Need more info?

Ooedo Onsen official website
Japan Travel