If you love Japanese hot springs but are not one to bathe with strangers, you should try this hidden gem in Osaka prefecture. Niji No Yu Sayama Private Spa Resort is a super public bath in Osakasayama City. They have nice private baths and they're affordable too. The spa resort is a bit far from Osaka City but definitely worth a visit!
To get there, you need to get off at Kitanoda station via the Nankai-Koya line, ride the bus from Kitanoda Eki-mae, and then get off at Kitanoda Soushinjou-mae. If you're willing to walk, it's about 25 minutes from the train station.
Niji No Yu has eight family baths (kazoku-buro) to choose from. We made a reservation online and got our tickets from their ticketing machine when we got there. They do not accept reservations over the phone. You can also make reservations as early as two weeks before. You can check the availability online at https://spa-sauna.jp/
The prices below show the rate per family bath and the minutes you can use it for. Each family bath is good for three people (two adults and one child who is an elementary student and below). You also have the option to pay extra for another person (1000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children) and to avail of towels, toothbrushes, etc.
My boyfriend and I chose the Kurenai family bath and this is what the inside looked like. The room has a sofa and TV, a sink, and a toilet.
The bath is at the end of the room and there's also a veranda with a view of a small garden, separated by a glass door.
We rented the bath for 60 minutes and when we were done, we had this really good yogurt drink they were selling at the spa resort. I would say that the 60 minutes wasn't enough, so I plan on renting the bath longer next time.
This was a 10 out of 10 experience because I got to relax and enjoy the bath privately with my loved one. Oh, they also have a restaurant which we have yet to try next time. I already can't wait to go in winter!
Cheers,
Dyan
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