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.