Musashi Koyama Onsen Shimizu Yu
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Musashi-Koyama Station · 5 min walk (Tokyu Meguro Line)
- Hours
- Tue–Sat & holidays 12:00–24:00, Sun 8:00–24:00; closed Mon (open if Mon is a public holiday)
- Admission
- ¥600 (adults 12+), ¥300 (elementary school children), sauna +¥500, women-only bedrock bath ¥1,600
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Best time to go
- Sunday morning between 8:00 and 10:30 during the morning bath (asa-yu) session to avoid evening peak hours
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Musashi Koyama Onsen Shimizu Yu is a beloved, authentic neighborhood bathhouse in Tokyo that uniquely features two distinct types of natural hot spring water. Guests can soak in the therapeutic, amber-colored Kuroyu (black water) rich in organic minerals, and the golden, iodine-rich Ogon-no-yu. It offers an incredibly local, unpretentious Sento experience complete with open-air baths and saunas.
What Japanese guides note
Bathers must wash and rinse thoroughly at the seated wash stalls before stepping into any communal pool, keeping towels and hair out of the water. Because Shimizu Yu operates under municipal sento standards rather than as a resort, body soap and towels are not provided free and must be brought from home or purchased at the desk. After bathing, visitors commonly walk through the adjacent Musashi-Koyama Palm Arcade, an 800-meter covered shopping street right outside the station area.
Details from local sources
- The amber Kuroyu water is drawn from 200 meters underground, while the golden Ogon-no-yu is pumped from 1,500 meters within five-million-year-old strata. [source]
- The indoor Kuroyu bath is continuously infused with micro-nano bubbles to increase mineral absorption. [source]
- The front counter sells homemade onsen eggs that are steeped directly in the thermal spring water for 30 minutes. [source]
- Regular closure is on Monday, but the bathhouse opens as usual when Monday falls on a public holiday with no substitute closure the next day. [source]
- The facility includes a women-only bedrock bath featuring Tenjyuseki mineral stones sourced from South Korea's Mount Worak. [source]
- Drivers receive two hours of complimentary parking across the 10 on-site spaces. [source]
Insider Tip
Bring your own soap and towel, or buy a cheap 'empty-handed' starter set at the entrance desk, as toiletries are not free here.
Frequently asked
What makes the two hot spring waters at Shimizu Yu different?
Kuroyu is an amber-colored peat water drawn from 200 meters underground dating back one to two million years. Ogon-no-yu is tapped from 1,500 meters deep within five-million-year-old strata. Certified as an iodine-rich medicinal spring, Ogon-no-yu provides therapeutic benefits for skin ailments and cuts.
Are people with tattoos allowed to bathe at Shimizu Yu?
Yes. Shimizu Yu operates under Tokyo public bathhouse regulations rather than private super-sento rules, so guests with tattoos are permitted to bathe without restriction or concealment. Visitors must still observe standard bathing etiquette, such as washing thoroughly before soaking and keeping hair out of the communal tubs.
Are towels and toiletries provided with general admission?
No. General admission covers access to the baths only. Shampoo, body wash, and towels are not provided complimentary in the bathing area, but rental towels and single-use toiletries can be purchased at the front counter. Lockers in the changing rooms require a refundable 100-yen coin deposit.
How does the Sunday morning bath schedule work?
While Shimizu Yu opens at 12:00 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, it opens early at 8:00 AM every Sunday for a traditional morning bath session known as 'asa-yu'. It remains open continuously until midnight, making Sunday morning an ideal time to visit before afternoon peak crowds arrive.
Can men use the stone bedrock bath facility?
No. The stone bedrock bath (ganbanyoku) is reserved exclusively for female visitors for a fee of ¥1,600, which includes regular bath entry. The bedrock sauna uses natural Tenjyuseki mineral stones imported from South Korea, while male visitors can access the dry hinoki sauna for an additional ¥500.
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