#Japanese saunas: Yunokura Garden (Kanagawa)
last updated 2024/05/19
Yunokura Garden is a super sentō located close to the Shōnan Bellmare football team stadium. It has a fantastic auto-löyly convection sauna with high level of humidity and on spot temperature Mizuburo.
Type of facility: Super-sentō
Price: 900 yen on a weekday, 1000 on a weekend
50 yen discount if you apply for a member's card
for additional 400 yen you can also use ganbanyoku
Towel is not included
Tattoos: Not allowed
Shampoo/Body soap: Included
Sauna type: Dry sauna, convectional
Sauna temperature: 88°C
TV in Sauna: Yes
Cold bath (Mizuburo): 16°C
Hot bath types: sulfur spring, carbonated bath, jet bath, electric bath, etc.
Dryers: Free, multiple
Sinks: Many
Drinkable water: Yes, close to the showers
Toilet: One toiler in western style
Payment: Cash
From the outside, the facility looks like a traditional Japanese castle. It is located on the outskirts of Hiratsuka, so you might either consider a long walk (approximately 30 minutes from Hiratsuka train station) or taking a bus.
I really loved the dry sauna, which although dry indeed, has a higher level of humidity than the usual dry saunas you might visit. I surely felt it inside. The wetter the sauna is, the faster your inner body temperature will rase (you should aim for 38°C as it will trigger proteins to repair tissues which is said to protect cells from various stresses)
Unfortunately TV is annoying, but that is something you have to expect from most of the super sentōs (also, it is your preference, but it is said that sauna without destructions provides a better experience). The light was not particularly dim either.
Mizuburo has a perfect 16°C (16-17°C is considered the best temperature for Mizuburo due to the fact this range is known as the lowest for which human body does not feel at pain; anything below that might bear be too much burden for your organism)
Gaikiyoku was fine, but no reclining chairs or anything to lie down on. Only few simple plastic chairs provided.
One big disadvantage that struck me is that all the baths are rather shallow and it is hard to go all the way in, especially if you are bigger than an average Japanese fella. I wish Mizuburo and carbonated bath would be deeper.
In the end, I would definitely recommend you this place if you have a chance to visit. It might not be easy accessible, but certainly worth a try.d