Azabu Kokubisui Onsen Takenoyu: Hot Spring Guide (Tokyo)

Just a short walk from the stylish district of Azabu-Juban, Takenoyu is a long-established bathhouse that has operated here since the Taisho era. Its specialty is a black water as dark as coffee. Containing components derived from ancient plant matter, this water is said to leave the skin smooth and silky. It is a rare place to encounter a genuine black spring in the heart of the city.

Highlights

• A rich, coffee-colored natural black water
• A celebrated feel that leaves the skin smooth after soaking
• A characterful long-established bathhouse dating back to the Taisho era
• A dedication that extends even to a cold bath filled with the black water

Enjoying the Seasons

Though it is a city bathhouse, a soak relaxes body and mind in any season. In summer you can stroll the cooling streets of Azabu-Juban after the black water, and in winter the dark water warms you to the core. Combined with a walk through the neighborhood, it makes for an enjoyable day in any season.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 1-15-12 Minami-Azabu, Minato, Tokyo
• Access: about a 5-minute walk from Azabu-Juban Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line and the Toei Oedo Line
• Hours: from around 3:30 pm into the evening (please confirm before visiting)
• Closed: Mondays and Fridays
• Admission: the standard Tokyo bathhouse rate (roughly 550 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary students)
• A hot spring bathhouse with baths and a cold bath using the black water, plus a sauna

Practical Travel Notes

• Recommended time: just after opening in the early evening tends to be relaxed, while the after-work hours fill with local regulars.
• Time needed: about an hour for a bath alone, or half a day if combined with a neighborhood stroll.
• Avoiding crowds: weekend evenings can be busy, so weekday openings are a good bet.
• Real spots nearby: the Azabu-Juban shopping street, long-established soba shops such as Sarashina Horii, and Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Tower are all within walking range.
• Budget sense: the bath is bathhouse-priced and affordable, though towels and the sauna may cost extra.

A Quick Tip

Its hours are limited to the afternoon and evening, so it is reassuring to check the day and time before you go. The Azabu-Juban shopping street has many fine shops, so a stop combined with a stroll lets you savor the charm of the neighborhood. Bringing your own soap and towel, or renting them at the counter, keeps things light.

Sightseeing Checklist

• Estimated time: About 1 hour for a bath
• What to bring: A towel (on sale) and a change of clothes
• Best season: All year, for an easy soak in the deep black water
• Avoiding the crowds: It gets busy in the evening, so try just after opening
• Nearby stops: The Azabu-Juban shopping street, Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Tower and Arisugawanomiya Memorial Park

📚 Sources

This article is compiled from tourism information for Tokyo and information published by the individual facilities. Fees, opening hours and closing days may change, so please check each facility's official information before setting out.