Living in Japan

Tokyo Sento Under ¥1,000: 6 Public Baths Worth the Trip

Tokyo's public bath price is now ¥600. Six sento worth crossing town for, from Koenji's famous hot-and-cold bath to an all-night bath near Skytree and black hot-spring water in Kamata.

By JOHN NANJO 2026.10.24 2 min read

The neighbourhood sento is one of the best deals in Tokyo. For the price of a coffee you get a huge hot bath, a cold plunge, often a sauna, and the best sleep of your week. Since August 1, 2026, the standard adult price in Tokyo is ¥600 (up from ¥550). Saunas usually cost a few hundred yen extra. Here are six worth the trip.

Budget¥600, + sauna ¥300–500

Time1 hour

Best forAfter work, Sunday reset

BringSmall towel, coins, IC card

The famous ones

1 Kosugiyu (Koenji)

Weekdays 14:00–25:30, Sat–Sun 8:00–25:30 (last entry 15 min before) · closed Thu · 5 min from Koenji Sta.

A 1933 bathhouse with a temple-style roof, famous for its milky bath and for alternating hot and cold baths. Busy on weekend evenings, so try a weekday afternoon or Sunday morning. It has also opened a sister bath in Harajuku.

2 Koganeyu (Kinshicho)

6:00–9:00 and 11:00–24:30 (Sat 6:00–9:00 and 15:00–24:30) · closed 2nd and 4th Mon · 6 min from Kinshicho Sta. North Exit

A designer-renovated sento with three bath temperatures, a proper sauna and cold plunge, free shampoo, towel rental, and craft beer from its own brewery at the front desk. Morning bathing before work is a local luxury.

3 Koganeyu Shinjuku (new in 2026)

Opened Jul 7, 2026 · 12:30–9:30 next morning (from Aug 26) · closed 1st and 3rd Tue · 5 min from Higashi-Shinjuku Sta.

Koganeyu's new Shinjuku branch: retro styling, sauna and craft beer, and overnight hours. Very handy if you miss the last train (see our last-train guide).

Worth crossing town for

4 Daikokuyu (Oshiage)

Late opening, runs until 10:00 the next morning · closed Tue · 6 min from Oshiage Sta.

An open-air bath with a view of Tokyo Skytree, a high-concentration carbonated bath and salt steam sauna (extra), and famously late hours. Men's and women's sides swap daily, so come back twice.

5 Yu-City Kamata

11:00–24:00 · closed Tue · 5 min from JR Kamata Sta. East Exit

Real hot-spring water at sento prices. Kamata sits on kuroyu, "black water" springs the colour of strong tea, said to be great for the skin. A semi-outdoor black bath is the highlight.

6 Takarayu (Kita-Senju)

15:00–22:45 · closed Fri · about 20 min walk from Kita-Senju Sta. West Exit

A classic temple-roofed sento with a Japanese garden and koi pond. Sit on the wooden veranda after your bath with a cold drink. The slow walk from Kita-Senju is part of the fun.

Sento rules (the short version)

  • Shoes off at the entrance, into a small locker. Pay at the front desk or ticket machine.
  • Wash before you soak. Sit at a shower stool and wash fully, then rinse.
  • Towel stays out of the water. Fold it on your head or leave it on the side.
  • Dry off before the changing room. Wipe down with your small towel first.
  • Tattoos: most neighbourhood sento accept them, unlike many big spa complexes. Policies differ, so check the shop's site or ask.
  • Bring or rent a towel and soap. Many sento sell a set for a few hundred yen, and some include shampoo.

Words that work

  • 大人一人です (otona hitori desu) — One adult, please.
  • サウナもお願いします (sauna mo onegaishimasu) — Sauna too, please.
  • タオルを借りられますか？ (taoru o kariraremasu ka?) — Can I rent a towel?

A sento is the cheapest therapy in Tokyo. Nobody's on their phone, everyone's equal, and the old man in the next bath will tell you the water's too cold whatever the temperature. Find your local one and go weekly.

— John Nanjo

Keep reading

Sources: Nerima City – Tokyo public bath price revision (Aug 2026), Time Out – Kosugiyu, Time Out – Koganeyu Kinshicho, co-trip – Koganeyu Shinjuku, @nifty onsen – Daikokuyu, Jorudan – Yu-City Kamata, Time Out – Takarayu

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