Pamper yourself with a day of stress-melting baths, healing steam and mud massages at Osaka's Spa World. This popular health centre prides itself on offering a huge range of international spa and sauna experiences.
The bathing section of the spa is divided into two major zones: one devoted to Europe and another dedicated to Asian. In the European section, you can bathe beneath classical statues of Ancient Rome, shower under a waterfall at the open-air Spanish bath or relax in the log-cabin atmosphere of the Finnish sauna house.
In the Asian section, sink into a steaming onsen (hot bath) in one of many themed rooms. Wash by a babbling mountain creek at keiryu-no Yu, an outdoor Japanese bath, or admire the cypress pine roof of the Hinoki Bath. Enjoy the steamy, marble interior of the Persian room or experience the beach resort atmosphere of the Bali spa.
Try a selection of globally themed saunas in the Ganban'yoku section. An Icelandic cold wind sauna, Canadian forest bath and traditional Turkish Hamam steam house are just a few of many sauna experiences.
Head to the swimming area for some family fun. Watch the kids have fun in the children's pool, which features tubes and fountains, and slip down towering waterslides at the Amusement Pool. All the family can enjoy the views out over the Tsuutenkaku district at the family bath.
Take a break from the water on the second floor, where arcade games provide hours of fun. Younger kids can play in a ball pit on the third floor. When hunger hits, stop by the Food Zone, which serves dishes including fresh sashimi, tempura and okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake.
Osaka's Spa World is located in central Osaka, just a few minutes’ walk from the Dobutsuem-Mae subway station. Spa World is also a hotel, offering convenient accommodation for spa visitors.
Parking is available on-site for a fee. Spa World is open daily, but each area has different opening times. An all-area admission ticket is sold at the entrance. Check Spa World’s official website for more information. Note that all onsens are restricted to men or women only, depending on the month.
