#Japanese saunas: Riseikan (Kanagawa)

last updated 2024/04/23

Riseikan is a an old-school Shōwa Sentō located between the Hinodecho and Koganecho stations. I heard some rumor that the Sauna there is really hot which made me only more excited to go.

Type of facility: Sentō
Price: Bath only 500 yen, Sauna + 200 yen (small towel included)
You can hardly find such a bargain in Tokyo nowadays.
Tattoos: allowed
Shampoo/Body soap: You have to bring your own one or buy one-time samples at the front-desk
Sauna type: Dry sauna
Sauna temperature: 93°C
Cold bath (Mizuburo): 13°C
Hot bath types: Ultrasonic bath, bubble bath, black bath
Dryers: Two, 20 yen for 3 minutes usage
Sinks: Two
Drinkable water: No
Toilet: One western style toilet in the dressing room
Payment: Cash only

The area in which this Sentō is located is quite interesting. You might feel a bit overwhelmed at first as it seems some prostitution shops are located around. Also, I found it a bit difficult to find the actual place. You have to enter  a road between the two buildings and eventually you will see the second floor entrance.

Upon entering inside, as usual there is a place to take off your shoes and put them in a shoe rack. Don't forget to take the key.
The place is definitely old, that cannot be denied. But it doesn't have to be a negative. It has its charm of an traditional Japanese sentō.
And it's quite huge as well! The dressing room feels really spacious and there is quite a big number of lockers. Moreover, I visited Saturday afternoon (around 17ish) and it was not too crowded.

Once inside the bath, you can take a seat, wash bowl and shower yourself. Inside is just as roomy as the dressing room (for Sentō standards I really believe it is capacious)

As already mentioned, the store has this incredible Shōwa atmosphere and so does its Sauna. You can feel it from its particular smell to the music was played inside. There is no TV and the floor is dark-brown woody. You do not need to take a mat inside with you and there are orange towels laid out. It is rather huge, up to seven people can fit. The Sauna watch was broken at the time I visited, but there were about 4 to 5 hourglasses around (5 and 10 minutes)!
So is it as hot as they say? Yes, it was hot indeed. But personally I felt good about it. You should not have an issue to withstand 10 minutes (first round might be difficult though). Still, I heard few people saying "Acchi acchi..." (which translates to "So hot..").

Then goes Mizuburo. Because of how hot feels the Sauna, even though Mizuburo was 13°C which is not high at all, it really felt relaxing. Could have taken a nap inside... Only about 40-60cm deep, but enough to fill in your whole body. Two people can fit together, maybe three.

Let's go further to the Totonou part. There is no gaikiyoku ("air bath"), so I decided to take my rest in the dressing room. There is a leather sofa you can sit on and a fan for your enjoyment. Kimochi ii.

Each next sauna trip felt better and better as you get accustomed to the heat.
At the end I also tried the black bath. Not too hot, seemed just about right. Definitely loved it.
Then at the end a shower; there are two standing showers which is good too.

Personally, I would love it if I had a Sentō like this near my house. For only 700 yen you can get a truly hot sauna in a not-so-crowded environment. Definitely recommended. Some of you might enjoy the music played inside the Sauna too. I usually prefer no-tv no-music no-nothing inside the sauna room, but those Shōwa songs had its charm.