Sento are public baths are where you can soak in a large bathtub and heal your fatigue from everyday life. Popular for many years in Japan as an easy and affordable way to relax, they have been gaining attention in recent years alongside the sauna boom. The closing of sento due to deteriorating equipment has become prominent these past few years, but as of January 2024, 272 are still open in Osaka Prefecture. 25 of these are concentrated in Osaka City’s Ikuno Ward, an area that can be called a hotspot for Osaka public baths. This time, we will focus on and introduce two popular bathhouses in the Tashima (also called Tajima) area, which has a particularly high concentration of famous public baths in Ikuno Ward.

Even in Ikuno Ward, where much shitamachi (the traditionally working-class neighborhood) scenery remains, Tashima in particular is alive with that friendly atmosphere. Head east from Imazato-suji to Meganebashi-dori and you’ll immediately see the Megane Onsen sign. Incidentally, the store name “Megane” (“glasses” in Japanese) comes from the fact that Tashima is the origin of eyeglass lenses in Japan. Lens production continues to be a local industry here even today.

Megane Onsen also has four parking spaces for customers coming by car. Vehicles are limited to smaller, compact cars due to the narrow road in front of the parking lot, and the time limit is two hours. 

The interior of the store has a spacious reception area. After taking a bath, you can relax on the sofa and enjoy the drinks and sweets for sale. They also have unique goods such as sauna hats and tote bags.

The high ceiling creates a sense of openness, and in addition to the main bath, there is a bath with an electric current, a jet bath, a seated bath, a cold bath, and an open-air bath. During the May 2023 renovations, the shower heads and chairs in the bathing area were updated to modern ones. Another great thing is that the bath is equipped with shampoo and body soap, so you can come empty-handed.

The sauna has also been renovated, so the entire bathroom can be seen through its large glass windows. It can accommodate about 10 people with two-tiered seats, and the room temperature is kept at around 100℃. You can work up a sweat with the hot air generated by the sauna stones. There is also a steam sauna located across the cold bath.

Megane Onsen

Address: 4-2-20 Tajima, Ikuno Ward, Osaka City

Google map

Hours: 1:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m.
Closings: Irregular closings
Entrance fee: ¥520 (includes sauna fee)
Phone number: (+81) 6-6758-0619

Tashimashin Onsen, which is a stone’s throw away from Megane Onsen, is located at the corner of the intersection of Namanakabashi-dori and Tsuruhashi Kaido. Its retro Showa-era (1926-1989) exterior, reminiscent of a hot spring inn, gives it a real sense of presence.

The inside of the sento has and attendant’s booth in the bandai style. When you go through the hanging noren curtain, you will find the shoe rack space and entrances to the men’s and women’s baths. The changing room is spacious, and you can often see people leisurely relaxing there before and after taking a bath. In addition, there are also parking spaces for 5 cars, so you can visit the store by car without worry.

The bathroom, which is long from front to back, boasts a wide variety of options, including a main bath, an electric bath, a reclining bath with far-infrared rays, and a seated jet bath. The TV installed in the changing room faces the bathroom, so you can enjoy watching programs while bathing.

One of the major draws of Tashimashin Onsen is its cold water bath. Cold water cascades like a waterfall from a height of approximately 2m, creating a 1.5m-wide water curtain. The sound of falling water has an extremely soothing effect. It calms your mind while firmly tightening your flushed body.

The dry sauna has benches heated underneath and can accommodate about six people. The temperature is maintained at around 90℃, so you can sweat while watching the built-in TV. The steam sauna which has skin-beautifying effects is also recommended.

Tashimashin Onsen

Address: 5-15-6 Tashima, Ikuno Ward, Osaka City

Google map

Hours: 1:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Closed: Closed twice a month (irregular closings)
Entrance fee: ¥520 (includes sauna fee)
Phone: (+81) 6-6758-1596

LOCATION

If coming by train: a 15-minute walk from Tobushijo-Mae Station on the JR Yamatoji Line
If coming by bus: a 3-minute walk from the Tajima-Sanchome stop on the Osaka City Bus

Sources:
Bathtub’s Bath House Hunt: (https://bathtubuuu.com/osakasento/ikunoku-meganeonsen/?fbclid=IwAR150DdQAggD2CWDI-C9c1oLW_Fo6n9-Oqz7y6KR9XX9B9GK9WInNqHkcB4#toc6)
Asato’s Blog: (https://saunagirl.com/2019/05/09/tajimashinonsen/ )

Information presented here is current as of 2024. Please check the websites of the individual shops and facilities for up-to-date information on business hours.