Mineral-rich onsens, magma stone beds, quaint tatami rooms and a Japanese Zen garden.
Ahhh…you can’t help but daydream about a relaxed getaway especially now that the end of year is approaching. Sure, a short getaway to a nearby country sounds great but sometimes time and money are tight.
But if you’re able to block off a couple of hours in your day, check into these Japanese spas and onsens instead to zen out and pamper yourself!
Ditch the air tickets – these Japanese spas will surely teleport you to Kyoto ryokans and Hakone onsens – minus the passport!
1. Ikeda Spa
A five-star Japanese spa, Ikeda offers a ryokan (traditional Japanese spa) and a variety of massages to have your stress and worries melted away. Founded in 2009, Ikeda Spa offers a quaint sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of town, nestled among lush greenery in Bukit Timah.
Ikeda Spa is home to Singapore’s first hinoki onsen – that is, an onsen made from Japan’s most prized cypress wood once reserved strictly for royalty, and used for building palaces, temples and shrines. This precious wood releases mineral oils with soothing scents and anti-bacterial properties to calm and uplift.
They offer single baths (from $80+ for 30 minutes) for those who prefer a bit more privacy. You can also choose from 5 different bath salt choices for different aromatherapy and other health benefits for your needs.
Alternatively, cosy up with your partner and opt for the couple’s bath (from $120+ for 30 minutes) instead. Spend quality time at their private couple onsen bath with your special one, relax and indulge in a 30 minutes therapeutic bath.
To make the entire experience feel like you’re truly in Japan, choose from a range of colourful yukatas and enjoy some hot tea on a tatami mat.
Ikeda Spa (Bukit Timah outlet)
Address: 787 Bukit Timah Road (Before 6th Ave) Singapore 269762
Opening hours: 1.30pm – 10.30pm, daily
Telephone: 6388 8080
Ikeda Spa Prestige (Clarke Quay outlet)
Address: 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, Clarke Quay Central #05-22 (Level 5 Carpark) Singapore 059817
Opening hours: 1pm – 10pm, daily
Contact No.: 6388 8080
2. Yunomori Onsen And Spa
The largest onsen in Singapore, Yunomori Onsen & Spa features 11 aquatic therapy pools over a sprawling area of 16,000 sq ft. There’s no better way to commemorate your friendship than for all of you to jump into a pool together, fully butt-naked.
The pools are gender-separated and 100% communal, so prepare yourself and strip away all your inhibitions.
There are various hot pools here, including jet bath, bubble bath, a silk bath and even a soda bath. There’s even a steam and sauna room available that helps rejuvenate the skin, relieves joint and muscle pain, and relaxes the body and mind.
Once you’re done soaking in the baths, don your yukatas and head over to the Yunomori Cafe for some hearty Japanese grubs such as soba, ramen and oden. Or treat yourself to an ice cold bowl of kakigori.
This place will definitely make you feel like you’re in Japan!
Address: 1 Stadium Place, #02-17/18 Kallang Wave Mall, Singapore 397628
Price: $38 for all-day access to baths, sauna, steam room, and lounge
Opening hours: Daily, 10AM-11PM
Contact No.: 6386 4126
Website
3. ESPA
Known for Singapore’s first authentic Turkish Hammam, did you know that ESPA at Resorts World Sentosa has an outdoor Japanese forest onsen as well?
Surrounded by lush greenery, this is the closest you’ll get to Japan! After taking a dip in the onsen, take a break at the tea lounge that overlooks the Forest Onsen.
Apart from that, you’ll also have access to other facilities like the Rock Saunas, and Crystal Steam Bath – as long as you purchase a spa pass, or have a minimum booking of a 60-minute spa treatment.
Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
Price: $100 for 180 minutes
Opening hours: 9am – 10pm
Contact No.: 6577 8880
Website
4. Elements Wellness
Nestled in a private room, you can experience the time honoured Japanese bath ritual in a handcrafted Koyamaki wood tub with energised ion water. If you’re not familiar with Koyamaki, it is the wood of the sacred Japanese Umbrella Pine which releases a lime fragrance when in contact with water, and has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
The Signature Koyamaki Onsen Ritual includes an Ocha Body Massage (60-min), Seaweed Body Scrub (15-min), Koyamaki Onsen Therapy in Private Suite with Steambath (40-min) and Foot Detox Therapy in VIP lounge (10-min). A couple spa option is available upon request as well.
Address: 176 Orchard Road, #02-28 The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843
Price: $148 for 125 minutes (single) $258 for 125 minutes (for 2)
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 9pm, Sat – Sun and Public Holidays: 10.30am – 8pm
Telephone: 6737 8488
5. Le Méridien Singapore
Set in the heart of Sentosa, Le Méridien Singapore is an upscale lifestyle hotel with an illustrious history which provides luxury comforts for the modern traveller. If you’re ever planning on a staycation in Sentosa, opt from the 19 unique Japanese-style Onsen Suites featuring private onsen pools available.
The Japanese Onsen Suites offer an expansive 63 sqm of stylish living space where you can enjoy the cool evenings under the stars on the private open air deck with the Japanese Onsen hot tub.
As a general indication of how much you’ll have to fork out, a night in the Onsen Suite at the Le Méridien starts from $600.
Address: 23 Beach View, Sentosa, 098679
Price: From $600 per night
Telephone: 6818 3388
While you’re waiting on your next trip to Japan, how about taking a break from work and checking in to these onsens instead?
It’s always good to treat yourself, so let these warm onsens tide you over.
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(Header Image Source: Resorts World Sentosa)
