This article introduces some of the best day-trip hot springs (sento and onsen) in the Kanto region of Japan.
If you are visiting Japan and want to experience authentic Japanese bathing culture, these facilities are a great option to explore.
Ofuro no Ousama – Overview
I personally visited all 10 branches of Ofuro no Ousama (a popular chain of large public bathhouses in the Kanto area), and I am sharing my detailed reviews here. I hope this helps you choose the best one for your trip.
Personal Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation Standards
- Large baths & Ganbanyoku (heated stone spa): Based on my personal impressions.
- Accessibility:
- ★★★ Within 3 minutes on foot from a train station
- ★★ Within 5 minutes on foot from a station, or within 3 minutes from a bus stop (excluding free shuttle buses)
- ★ One of the above does not apply
- Environment: Atmosphere, customer base, and overall vibe (subjective impressions – your experience may vary depending on the season or time of visit).
- Overall Score:
- With Ganbanyoku: (Total stars ÷ 12) × 100
- Without Ganbanyoku: (Total stars ÷ 9) × 100
- Rounded to the nearest whole number
(Note: These scores are only my personal impressions of “Ofuro no Ousama.” A 1-star rating does not mean the facility is bad overall.)
Summary Table
| Branch | Large Bath | Ganbanyoku | Access | Environment | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shiki | ★★ | ★ | ★ | ★★★ | 58 |
| Wakō | ★★★★ | – | ★ | ★★ | 78 |
| Hanakoganei | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★ | ★★ | 75 |
| Tama-Mogusa | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ | ★★ | 83 |
| Ōimachi | ★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★ | 67 |
| Machida | ★ | – | ★★ | ★★ | 56 |
| Seya | ★★★ | – | ★★ | ★★★ | 89 |
| Ebina | ★★★ | – | ★★ | ★★★ | 89 |
| Kōza-Shibuya (Ekimae) | ★★★ | ★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | 83 |
| Kōnandai | ★ | – | ★★ | ★★ | 56 |
Recommendations by Category
- For large bath lovers: Wakō Branch
- For Ganbanyoku (heated stone spa) lovers: Hanakoganei, Tama-Mogusa, Ōimachi
- For easy access: Ōimachi and Kōza-Shibuya Ekimae
- For best overall without Ganbanyoku: Seya and Ebina
- For best overall with Ganbanyoku: Tama-Mogusa and Kōza-Shibuya Ekimae
Final Ranking
| Rank | Branch | Ganbanyoku | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seya | ❌ | 89 |
| 1 | Ebina | ❌ | 89 |
| 3 | Tama-Mogusa | ✅ | 83 |
| 3 | Kōza-Shibuya Ekimae | ✅ | 83 |
| 5 | Wakō | ❌ | 78 |
| 6 | Hanakoganei | ✅ | 75 |
| 7 | Ōimachi | ✅ | 67 |
| 8 | Shiki | ✅ | 58 |
| 9 | Machida | ❌ | 56 |
| 9 | Kōnandai | ❌ | 56 |
These rankings are purely based on my personal impressions, but I hope they provide a useful overview.
Payment Methods at Ofuro no Ousama
Each location has different accepted payment methods (credit cards, QR code payments like PayPay or LINE Pay, and transportation IC cards such as Suica/PASMO). Some branches only allow card payments for specific services (like relaxation or meal areas). Please check the official website for the latest details before your visit.
(As of August 2024. Information may change over time.)
Final Thoughts
If there are other useful points to cover, I will update this article in the future.
Since this review is based on August 2024 information, please confirm the latest updates on the official website.
Thank you very much for reading!
👉 Official Website: Ofuro no Ousama
