{"id":1381,"date":"2024-03-28T10:00:18","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T01:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osaka-info.jp\/local_journey\/en\/?p=1381"},"modified":"2024-03-28T10:56:49","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T01:56:49","slug":"sento-mania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osaka-info.jp\/local_journey\/en\/osaka-mania\/sento-mania\/","title":{"rendered":"Lessons from a spa lover! Enjoying the art of contrast baths, appreciating both hot and cold baths, at Osaka’s hidden gem, Sankukai Onsen."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Osaka, the city with the second-highest number of public baths in Japan*, has a long-standing love affair with bathing culture. In this edition of \u201cWhat\u2019s Your OSAKAMANIA?\u201d, Mr. Okebi (aka OKB), a hot spring enthusiast and the chairman of the Japan Contrast Bath Association, founded on February 6, 2024 (affectionately known as Bath Day in Japan), will share insights into the art of contrast bathing at Sankukai Onsen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Source: “Report on Hygiene Administration for 2022\u201d by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While Osaka boasts many unique public bathhouses, known as onsen, our spotlight in this edition is on Sankukai Onsen, nestled in the town of Nose (pronounced NOH-seh) within the Toyono District of Osaka Prefecture, surrounded by nature’s abundance. This hidden bathing facility, about an hour’s drive from Osaka City, has a reputation that makes it worth the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The parking lot is located behind the white bridge. Stroll along the Tajiri River for a picturesque view of the lush natural landscape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Sankukai Onsen was established in 1992. Upon discovering that many natural springs with therapeutic properties have been found in this area since ancient times, the owner\u2014who also operates an acupuncture clinic\u2014dug into the ground and founded the facility. Initially catering exclusively to patients for therapy and rehabilitation, the establishment was transformed after the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, when the owner opened his doors to people without access to baths. Subsequently, facilities were upgraded to accommodate the general public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Masayuki Okuno, the caretaker of Sankukai Onsen. He was suffering from a spinal cord issue and had a hunched back before his regular visits to the bathhouse twice a week, which helped straighten his posture. He has been a loyal patron for 17 years, and it is his 9th year as the facility’s caretaker.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The prefabricated shed in the foreground is reserved for individuals utilizing Sankukai Onsen for therapeutic purposes and is unavailable to the general public.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Even today, visitors flock to the baths for therapeutic purposes, but there’s also a legion of bath enthusiasts captivated by the spring’s quality. Among them is OKB, who\u2019s been a regular for eight years and counting. OKB is no casual onsen-goer; in fact, he achieved an impressive feat last year by going to onsen and spas for 365 days straight, totalling over 500 visits! Today, he\u2019ll reveal what exactly about this  spring\u2019s quality makes him shout, “It’s incredible!” He\u2019ll also share the joy of contrast bathing, which means alternately immersing in hot and cold baths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\uff3cOur Guide\uff0f<\/div>\n