Togoshi Ginza Onsen
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Togoshi Station · 3 min walk (Toei Asakusa Line)
- Hours
- Mon–Thu & Sat 15:00–25:00; Sun & holidays 8:00–12:00, 15:00–25:00; closed Fri
- Admission
- ¥600 (adults 12+), ¥500 (junior high), ¥200 (elementary), ¥100 (preschool, 1 free per adult); sauna ¥750–¥950 (includes bath)
- Time needed
- 45–90 min
- Best time to go
- Sunday or public holiday mornings between 8:00 and 10:30, when the special morning bath (asayu) runs with lighter neighborhood attendance before the evening peak.
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Togoshi Ginza Onsen is a beloved neighborhood sento (public bathhouse) in Shinagawa that uses natural, mineral-rich 'black water' (kuroyu) pumped from deep underground. It offers a rare, authentic slice of local Tokyo life, complete with a traditional Mount Fuji tile mural, modern electric baths, and an open-air rooftop bath. It is the perfect, budget-friendly spot to soothe your muscles after exploring the nearby 1.3-kilometer-long Togoshi Ginza shopping street.
What Japanese guides note
Togoshi Ginza Onsen functions as a neighborhood sento subject to standard municipal bathhouse etiquette, requiring guests to clean thoroughly at the seated wash stations before soaking and bring or purchase their own bath amenities. Because the Hi no Yu and Tsuki no Yu layouts alternate daily, visitors hoping to use the open-air rooftop kuroyu specifically must check that day's gender rotation. Japanese sources typically advise timing a soak before or after strolling the adjacent Togoshi Ginza shopping street.
Details from local sources
- The facility alternates its two distinct bathing facilities, Hi no Yu and Tsuki no Yu, daily between male and female visitors. [source]
- In Hi no Yu the outdoor rooftop bath contains the natural black mineral water, whereas in Tsuki no Yu the black water is piped into the indoor bath. [source]
- The bathhouse operated from January 1960 to February 2006 under the name Nakanoyu before reopening in April 2007 as a modern rebuild designed by sento architect Kentaro Imai. [source]
- Tsuki no Yu features a traditional Mount Fuji mural painted by veteran craftsman Morio Nakajima, while Hi no Yu displays contemporary street-art Seven Lucky Gods. [source]
- The dark mineral spring is categorized as an alkaline sodium-bicarbonate cold mineral spring with a measured pH of 8.6. [source]
- Washing stalls do not stock complimentary shampoo or body wash, requiring guests to bring toiletries or buy single-use packs at reception. [source]
Insider Tip
Bring your own towel and soap, or purchase a cheap 'blanket set' (rental towel pack) at the vending machine before entering.
Frequently asked
Do I need to bring my own towels and soap?
Yes. As a traditional public sento, soap, shampoo, and towels are not provided free of charge at washing stalls. Visitors can bring their own supplies or purchase disposable soap and shampoo packets starting around 50 yen, as well as rental or purchase towel sets at the reception counter.
Are people with tattoos allowed to bathe here?
Yes. Unlike large corporate super sento and onsen theme parks in Japan, Togoshi Ginza Onsen operates under standard Tokyo public bathhouse regulations. Tattoos of any size or design are generally permitted in the bathing areas, and patrons are not required to cover them with waterproof tape.
What is the difference between the Sun and Moon bath sections?
The two baths alternate daily between men and women. In 'Hi no Yu' (Sun Bath), natural kuroyu fills the rooftop outdoor tub and the mural depicts modern pop-art deities. In 'Tsuki no Yu' (Moon Bath), kuroyu is indoors, the rooftop bath uses soft water, and Morio Nakajima painted the traditional Fuji mural.
When are the morning bath hours available?
Morning baths are held strictly on Sundays and national public holidays from 8:00 to 12:00. On regular weekdays and Saturdays, the bathhouse opens only in the afternoon from 15:00 until 25:00 (1:00 AM). The entire facility closes all day on Fridays for weekly maintenance.
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