Region
Kanto
Island
Honshu
Largest City
Saitama
Population
6,938,004

Ofuro Cafe Utatane

Coffee and bathing in this hybrid hub of relaxation.

Sometimes, all you really need is a day just for yourself. Just you, some coffee, a book, and a hot spring bath… That’s where Ofuro Cafe Utatane comes in, a perfect relaxation hybrid of cafe and spa based on a concept just wacky enough that it makes perfect sense.

Come in the morning for the breakfast buffet at the cafe, and then head towards the bath. Shower and then sink into the hot indoor bath, which has air jets for those sore muscles. Sweat in the sauna and then cool off in the cold water bath. Nip out for a cup of matcha and a slice of cake then go back in.

Women reading at the Ofuro Cafe Utatane.

Try not to drop the rental books in the bath. Photo by Ofuro Cafe.

Enjoy the outdoor bath, which uses mineral-rich water from the Hakuju hot spring in Kamikawa, Saitama. If you pay extra, you can enjoy a variety of spa services like facials, massages and aromatherapy. Leave when you’re hungry again; the cafe has a great lunch and dinner menu too – a hearty vegetable curry, maybe, or a Japanese-Italian fusion of udon alla carbonara.

There are myriad ways to relax. Drink coffee with free refills in the lounge, or take a nap in a hammock. Use one of the Macs in the computer area and watch cute cat videos online. Read a book or manga from the library. Close your eyes and just listen to the music from the DJ booth.

You won’t ever want to leave so it’s a good job that you can stay overnight too. There’s a dormitory-style nap room if you don’t mind sharing with other sleepers, and regular rooms if you prefer more privacy.

Things To Know

Entrance Fees

Entry is ¥1260 (¥630 for elementary school students) and you can stay as long as you want (no bathing from 2:00 – 5:00). The fee includes a comfy set of indoor clothes, a face and bath towel, and the baths all come with toiletries. If you just want a quick break, you can go in for 60 minutes (¥500), 90 minutes (¥680), or 120 minutes (¥840), but you’ll have to pay separately if you want to borrow towels or indoor clothes (¥200 each).

Tattoos

Tattoos are not allowed unless it’s small enough to be covered by a 12.8 by 18.2 cm sticker. Then you can enter as long as you pay ¥200 for the sticker at the reception desk.

How To Get There

Address

4 Chome-177 Ōnarichō, Kita-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama-ken 331-0815, Japan

By train

Take the Saitama New Shuttle up to Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station (about 50 minutes from JR Shinjuku Station) and walk for ten minutes.

By bus

Head to JR Omiya Station (about 30 minutes from JR Shinjuku Station) and take the free shuttle bus for Utatane from the station’s west exit.


Topics: