Which Tokyo Bath Should You Try First? Haginoyu, Hisamatsuyu or Saya-no-Yudokoro

Choose Haginoyu for an easy, low-cost visit near Uguisudani; Hisamatsuyu if you specifically want a natural hot spring in an outdoor bath at public-bath prices; and Saya-no-Yudokoro when you have several hours for its garden, baths, restaurant and optional bedrock sauna. Their admission prices are not directly comparable: a towel set, sauna or longer stay can change the total.

Quick comparison

Rates were checked on 27 September 2026. Busy dates, temporary closures and operating hours can change; check the facility’s official notices before setting out.

Haginoyu: the straightforward first sento

Haginoyu is in Taito Ward, a short walk from Uguisudani Station’s north exit. Rinse-in shampoo, body soap and hair dryers are provided.

Sauna is charged separately. Use the facility’s special-date notice for the applicable rate.

Pick Haginoyu when you want to try a Japanese city bath without making it the centrepiece of the day. Its location and inexpensive towel rental make it easy to add to a north-central Tokyo itinerary. The official pages cited here do not present a natural spring as its distinguishing feature, so it is not the strongest choice if comparing hot-spring water is your priority. Check the latest notice for opening hours and closures; the current fee and access pages do not show a complete daily schedule.

Hisamatsuyu: a natural spring in an everyday public bath

Hisamatsuyu is in Sakuradai, Nerima Ward, around five minutes on foot from Sakuradai Station. Natural spring water is supplied to the outdoor baths; the indoor baths include an artificial carbonated-water bath. The facility identifies the source as Sakuradai Onsen Hisamatsu, a high-salinity iodine–sodium chloride spring.

Indoor clothing and complimentary toiletries are not provided. Bring toiletries if you want to avoid buying them there.

Hisamatsuyu is open 11 a.m.–11 p.m., with last admission at 10:30 p.m.; it closes on Tuesdays. Because the spring is described as relatively strong, the facility advises visitors who are not used to it to start with a shorter soak. Avoid bathing after drinking alcohol or when you feel unwell. Choose it when the outdoor natural spring is the main reason for your visit, rather than when you want a restaurant or a place to spend half a day.

Saya-no-Yudokoro: allow time to use the larger facility

Maenohara Onsen Saya-no-Yudokoro is in Itabashi Ward, about eight minutes’ walk from Shimura-sakaue Station’s A2 exit.

The site has a Japanese garden, several bathing areas, a restaurant and a separate bedrock-sauna area. Bedrock sauna costs an additional ¥760, includes indoor wear and a dedicated towel, and is for guests aged 13 and over. Its towel is separate from the regular bathing set. The higher admission suits a longer visit for bathing, dining or resting; a quick soak leaves much of the complex unused.

Its hot-spring water also needs a more precise description than “every bath is free-flowing.” The dedicated source bath uses the natural spring without added water or chemicals, though it is heated to maintain temperature. The outdoor baths use added water, recirculation, filtration and chlorine-based disinfection. The source is listed at 32.7°C, pH 7.4 and 27 litres per minute. If the spring itself is your reason for going, use the source bath rather than assuming every pool has the same supply method.

Tattoo policies and other restrictions

Saya-no-Yudokoro allows entry only when a tattoo can be completely covered by up to two of its own 11 × 20 cm cover stickers, priced at ¥310 each. Visitors must buy and use the facility’s stickers. Check the English-language information or contact the bath if you are unsure whether they will cover your tattoo.

Haginoyu and Hisamatsuyu’s current tattoo policies are unconfirmed; ask before travelling if this affects your choice. Check rules for your group as well: Saya-no-Yudokoro bars children aged seven or older from the opposite-sex bathing area, and children below elementary-school age must be accompanied by an adult.

At all three baths, leave your phone in the changing area locker and do not take photos in the bathing or changing areas. If you have a large suitcase, check where it can be stored before entering; public baths do not all have hotel-style luggage rooms. For a packing checklist covering towels, toiletries and wet clothes, see What to Bring to a Japanese Sento or Day-Use Onsen.

Pick by the day you actually have

If you are staying around Ueno, Nippori or Asakusa and want a low-effort first visit, Haginoyu is the easiest fit. Its ¥100 towel set and free basic toiletries keep the extra planning—and the cost—down.

If natural spring water is a must and you only need a public bath, Hisamatsuyu has a clear case: its natural spring flows into the outdoor baths, while admission stays at ¥600. Budget separately for towels, toiletries and sauna.

If you can give the visit three or more hours, Saya-no-Yudokoro offers the broadest half-day plan. The weekday rate is lower, and its source bath has the clearest published spring-water details of the three. Avoid paying the larger-facility rate for a short stop when you will not use its garden, dining or rest facilities.

Official information

• Haginoyu: admission, towel set and sauna fees; location and station access
• Hisamatsuyu: hours, admission, towel rentals and station access; spring-water details and bathing guidance; facility and toiletry information
• Saya-no-Yudokoro: admission, rental fees and hours; spring-water details and bath types; tattoo and visitor rules