My favourite sentō! Beautifully clean, and well stocked with shampoo, makeup remover, face and body wash. There is even moisturiser and hair tonic in the changing rooms! The staff at the front desk are lovely and friendly, and they have a relaxing rest area at the front, with manga and drinks (the classic milk, but also different juices and beer) and art on the walls. I think they do a great job of combining a traditional sentō experience with a modern feel. The baths themselves are brilliant - I love the milk bath, it is the perfect temperature for me at 41 degrees! There is also a cold plunge, a 41.5 degree bath with jets, and a hotter bath at around 43 degrees. It can be very busy, but as long as you are courteous and understand the etiquette of sentō you will have no issues when there are lots of people. For people who have never sentō-d before, they have a few leaflets in the changing room on what to do - I would also advise to read up carefully on how it works, if it is your first time, so that you don’t upset anyone. Lastly - totally tattoo friendly, and no coins needed for the lockers. Love love love!
Yes, foreigners are welcome at Kosugiyu. However, visitors should be aware that this is a traditional neighborhood bathhouse where most patrons are local residents. Basic knowledge of sento etiquette is essential, and while staff may have limited English ability, the bathing process is straightforward to follow by observing others. It's recommended to research proper sento behavior before visiting to ensure a respectful experience.
Many traditional Japanese bathhouses prohibit visible tattoos due to their historical association with organized crime. Policies vary by establishment, so it's advisable to contact Kosugiyu directly or check their current rules before visiting if you have tattoos. Some sento may allow small tattoos to be covered with waterproof patches, while others maintain strict no-tattoo policies.
You'll need to bring your own towel, soap, shampoo, and any other toiletries you prefer to use. Small hand towels are typically used for washing and can be rented at the bathhouse if needed. Larger towels for drying off after bathing should be brought from home or can sometimes be rented. Basic toiletries are usually available for purchase at the entrance if you forget anything.
Upon entering, you pay the admission fee and proceed to the gender-separated changing rooms. Remove all clothing and place your belongings in a locker or basket. Enter the bathing area completely nude and sit at one of the washing stations along the wall. Thoroughly wash your entire body while seated before entering any of the communal baths. The key rule is that you must be completely clean before soaking in the shared pools.
Most visitors spend between 30 minutes to one hour at a sento. This allows time to wash thoroughly, soak in the various temperature baths, and relax. There's no strict time limit, and some regular patrons may stay longer, especially during less busy periods. The experience is meant to be leisurely, so there's no need to rush through the bathing process.
My friend and I had a great experience here - there are several types of baths for you to choose, the facilities are clean and all well-functioning, there's a nice lounge outside to chill, the receptionist is friendly despite limited English. It's a whole vibe! We had a good experience with Koenji thanks in partial to this amazing neighborhood onsen
Beautiful with plenty of character, but most importantly the staff treat their guests with kindness and care. Can get quite busy with locals but of course that is only a good sign. Highlights are the rotating themed baths, drinks and snacks, and retail area. Thank you for the incredible experience!
**Very clean, quite, and local
**Tattoo-friendly
**They provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash, facial cleanser, oil remover, body moisturszer for free
**Towels: small ¥100, large ¥200
**Blowdryer: 3mins ¥20
I really enjoyed the tubs and the overall experience. Every detail showed how much they care and I loved seeing the walls decorated with newspaper articles and paintings. The reception area was also lovely with fun drinks!
By the way, I loved the conditioner! Could you tell me the brand and product name? My hair feels so silky now.
Compact, but clean bathhouse. They provide bath amenities like shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, and cleansing oil. Small tower 100 yen, Big one 200 yen. 20yen for 3 mins of using a hairdryer.
