Jun 25, 2010

Tousen Yokujo, Ikebukuro, Tokyo, closing down


The left bath tub supplies ferruginous mineral spring.

The "Tousen Yokujo (桃仙浴場)" also known as "Tousen Onsen", a small sento located at Ikebukuro (池袋), one of the busiest commercial areas in Tokyo is going out of business at the end of June 2010, ending 65 years of history. Building deterioration and decrease of mineral spring are blamed for the closure. The Tousen Yokujo is the only bath house supplying ferruginous mineral springs in Tokyo.


Washing space.

◆Tousen Yokujo  (桃仙浴場)

Type:  Sento (gender separated indoor bath)

Address:  3-7-3 Nishi-ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

Location: 35.727479, 139.704466

Business hour: 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Holiday: Monday

Admission fee: ¥450

My rating (A - E): C



Closing notice and shoes lockers.

Jun 11, 2010

Miharashi-no-yu, Sueyoshi Onsen, Hachijojima, Tokyo


The hachijojima-shaped open-air bath is for ladies on every even-numbered day.

Hachijojima(八丈島) is the southernmost island of the seven Izu islands, located 300km away from central Tokyo. "Miharashi-no-yu" (みはらしの湯) is proud of the best view among six onsens in the island.

Mens bath and ladies' bath are separated, and swim suites bathing is prohibited. The grey-greenish muddy onsen is rich with sodium and a bit sticky.



There are sporadic bus services to the Miharashi-no-yu from town center, taking about 30 minutes. Get off at the "Sueyoshi Onsen mae" (末吉温泉前) bus stop. Or you can rent a car or a motorcycle at the airport or in the town. An overnight ferry of the Tokai Kisen or a 45 minutes flight from Haneda Airport in Tokyo takes you to the island. There isn't a restaurant in the onsen and around, but you can bring in your own foods and drinks.


The indoor bath.

Miharashi-no-yu, Sueyoshi Onsen (末吉温泉みはらしの湯)

Type: Gender separated indoor and open-air baths

Address: 581-1 Sueyoshi, Hachijo-machi, Hachijojima, Tokyo

Location: 33.079109, 139.850684

Business hour: 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM

Holiday: Tuesday (except national holidays, during summer, year-end and new year)

Admission fee: ¥500

Bus timetable: (as of June 2010)
Depart "Town Office"
9:45
12:00
13:45
15:15

Depart "Sueyoshi onsen mae"
12:50
14:50
16:32

* takes about 30minutes each way.

References:
Hachijo.info (Travellers guide to Hachijojima)
Tokai Kisen (Overnight Ferry)

My rating (A - E): B


View from the open-air bath.