5 Onsens in Bangkok to Enjoy Authentic Hot Spring Experience
Unwind at these 5 onsens with mineral baths, saunas, and ultimate Japanese-style comfort right in downtown Bangkok!
Being a tropical country, Thailand is mostly hot and humid year round. Naturally, for many Thais, soaking in a hot spring (温泉 “on-sen” in Japanese) doesn’t seem like a good way to pass the time.
However, during the rainy season, escaping the drippy and dirty streets to the quiet comfort of a warm, relaxing bath sounds positively tempting. Plus, the health benefits certainly don’t hurt.
The Japanese use onsens as a way to take care of their health and wellbeing; some even call it an integral part of the Japanese lifestyle.
Originally, onsens draw their water from under active volcanoes, which means it hasn’t been filtered through soil and stone. This infused the water with minerals such as potassium and calcium.
This is why onsens are known to be superbly beneficial; bathing at these hot springs is said to make your skin radiant and youthful, as well as relax strained muscles and melt the fatigue away.
So here’s our list of five best onsens in Bangkok that offer baths, spa massages, beauty courses, and healthy food & drinks. We’re taking you on a weekend trip to relax your body and mind, Japanese style! (Only, you won’t need a plane ticket for this one.)
If you’re ready, change out of your clothes, and hop right into the hot springs.
Yunomori Onsen & Spa
Yunomori Onsen & Spa is the first authentic Japanese onsen in Thailand with a concept of “mineral hot spring in a natural garden”. Located at A-Square on Sukhumvit 26, the entire venue is set as a Japanese garden. Its over 2,500 m² area houses six different types of indoor and outdoor baths.
One of Yunomori’s many highlights is Soda Spa. Tiny CO₂ molecules are released into the water at over 1,000 ppm concentration. This addition is said to promote oxygen circulation in your blood and body, and so boost the entire circulatory system.
The slightly acidic water can also nourish your hair and scalp, reduce muscle pain, and adjust your skin balance to make you look youthful and refreshed. Yunomori is the first to use this innovation among SEA onsen venues.
Another noteworthy one is Jet Bath; the spacious whirlpool bath can easily handle lengthy soaking sessions. Stretch your body as water jets massage your stress away and relieve the strains in your muscles. The minuscule bubbles is said to boost your metabolism.
There’s also a natural mineral bath with water from Ranong hot springs. Rich in minerals, it’s one of Thailand’s purest sources.
You can enjoy an herbal bath in a private teak tub that reduces fatigue, nourishes your skin, and chases the cold away. Other features include cold bath that helps minimize pores and Japanese hot tub that’s perfect for healing muscle aches.
Most importantly, all of Yunomori’s bath use a constant circulation system, so no worries about hygiene.
Yunomori has separate areas for men and women and charges a fee of 450 THB for all-day access. Men cannot bring any piece of cloth into the baths, while women are provided with disposable underwear. But if nudity isn’t a concern for you, just wash thoroughly and slip right in.
Each onsen sessions shouldn’t last too long since your body can and will get tired from the heat. So after you’ve had your bath, check out Yunomori’s other services such as steam rooms, saunas, Thai massages, spa massages, and body scrub courses. There’s also a café zone which serves a wide variety of drinks and Japanese fusion food.
Let’s Relax Onsen and Spa
Let’s Relax Onsen and Spa is another onsen in downtown Bangkok - one of the largest and most inclusive in terms of services, in fact. Located at Grande Centrepoint Hotel in Thonglor, it offers spa massages, baths, steam rooms, and saunas in an authentic Japanese setting.
The onsen zone features five different types of baths, directly imported from Japan’s finest sources. The water is rich in minerals, and each kind can help alleviate physical discomfort and/or nourish your skin.
The first highlight is the Gero Hot Springs Bath - a 42 °C bath filled with water from the town of Gero, named one of the top three mineral water sources in Japan.
The water is said to have skincare properties. Japanese women believe that switching between Gero hot springs and a cold bath can make your skin glow and reduce stress.
Another one that focuses on skincare is the Silk Bath - the white color is a result of concentrated oxygen being pumped into the water. The 40 °C bath can hydrate your skin, making it soft, smooth, and healthy.
As for physical fatigue and muscle aches, you might want to take a dip in the 38 °C Soda Bath to get rid of the chemical residues under your skin, boost blood circulation, and balance your body. The Whirlpool Bath is set at 36 °C and helps alleviate muscle pain with jet streams and air bubbles; you’ll feel like getting a gentle, relaxing massage.
There’s also the Cold Bath (18 °C) to refresh you and activate your immune system. It also makes your skin radiant and shrinks your capillaries. Taking this one as the last step will make you feel more comfortable and relaxed.
Let’s Relax has an ‘all nude’ policy for both men and women (with separate zones for each gender). The 650 THB fee allows you to enjoy the facilities for as long as you’d like.
After you’ve relaxed with the baths, don’t forget to enjoy other amenities inside. Try lounging in the Hot Stone Room, which radiates heat through its stone floor. The 84 types of minerals from the Himalayan salt can cleanse your respiratory system. Or visit the Cool Down Room to let the cold temperature chill you out.
PAÑPURI WELLNESS & ONSEN
PAÑPURI Wellness & Onsen is a luxury organic spa & onsen with a spectacular view of Bangkok’s skyline. Spanning over 2,000 m², the spa is located on the 12th floor of Gaysorn Tower, taking over the entire floor. It recreates an authentic Japanese onsen experience with five large onsen baths, filled with imported Japanese mineral water.
Serving as the ‘signature item’ is Kusatsu mineral bath. The town is accepted as one of the top three sources in Japan, and the water can lift an array of ailments both cosmetic and physical.
Other highlights include seasonal baths, which rotates the best of Japanese hot springs every three months. For summer, you can soak in Beppu hot springs from Oita, Kyushu Island. It’s said to add radiance to your skin, reduces allergic inflammation, as well as heal bruises and rashes.
There’s also the soda bath, cold bath and ‘Vitality Pool’ jet bath that promotes blood circulation and creating new skin cells.
PAÑPURI offers four ‘Routing’ or presets for best results: Deep Sleep, De-Stress, Energy Boost, and Clean Detox. Each of them provides different courses and benefits, be it sleeping better, decreasing stress & fatigue, or detoxing - all common ailments among the working crowd.
But if you don’t feel like following the steps, you can just enjoy the baths however you please.
The onsen area features shared baths (with separate areas for men and women) and private baths. For first-timers who might be a bit shy, PAÑPURI offers disposable shorts and underwear to cover up while soaking. Otherwise, go in naked for an authentic Japanese experience. Having the garments on or off can make for an entirely different experience.
PAÑPURI charges 750 THB for adults and 450 THB for children; you can stay through the entire day. There’s a lounging zone, so you can relax in a bathrobe made from organic materials while waiting to go back for another bath.
You can also enjoy other amenities such as organic spa massage, steam rooms, and Himalayan salt saunas. The last one is said to boost the respiratory system and alleviates symptoms of asthma, allergies, and sinusitis, as well as detox.
Hungry or thirsty? Enjoy 100% organic health-boosting food and cold-pressed juices (1,170 THB per set), which are often on promotions. Pamper yourself and your health with PAÑPURI’s exceptional all-in-one service.
Kashikiri Onsen and Spa
If you’re new to onsens or have skipped the experience in Japan because you’re too shy around your trip mates, Kashikiri Onsen and Spa could be your chance to enjoy an authentic Japanese onsen.
Located in the heart of Bangkok in Soi Sukhumvit 49, Kashikiri is the answer for those who prefer to bath alone. The closed-off, private rooms let you soak in the tub naked without worrying about prying eyes. But if you want to share the experience with a friend or a special someone, the connecting room would be the choice to go.
There are three types of baths available. The Soda Onsen helps readjust your body balance, increase oxygen in your blood, and thoroughly cleanse your skin. The Blue Therapy, on the other hand, can soften your skin while strengthening your hair and nails.
Finally, there’s the White Reborn, which cures rashes, skin allergies, inflammation, and acne. The White Reborn is a mineral powder from Kusatsu Onsen, one of Japan’s best hot springs. Other options include renowned sources such as Beppu and Noribetsu, which are known for their rich minerals and therapeutic properties.
Kashikiri charges 700 THB for one onsen session, which usually lasts about 45 minutes. After a hot bath, you can enjoy spa & other types of therapeutic massage for a truly relaxing time. The services are available in packages along with the onsen access.
Y SPA
First thing you’ll notice about Y SPA is that it isn’t a Japanese onsen, but a “Jimjilbang” a.k.a. Korean bathhouse & sauna. Located in Soi Sukhumvit 16, it also offers a variety of spa services such as massages, saunas, fitness areas, and baths.
The venue is divided into Y Hot Zone, Y Healing Zone, Y Spa & Massage, and Y Complex. The onsen area is in Y Healing Zone with five large hot & cold baths. The baths are mixed-gender, but the venue provides you with disposable underwear. Alternatively, you can bring your own one-piece swimsuits (with muted, ‘polite’ colors).
If you want extra privacy, Y SPA also offers private baths (gender-segregated), but only one tub is available per room.
Next is the Y Hot Zone, which houses saunas, steam rooms, and hot rooms that help your body heal and relax after a hot bath. The Charcoal Room can absorb toxins, odors, and germs due to the pure charcoal’s carbonic quality. The Hinoki Wood Room, on the other hand, is used to boost your immune system, lessen symptoms of colds, sinusitis, migraines, and asthma.
If you’ve got allergies problems or dermatitis, the Himalayan Salt Room would be a great help. Lined out from floor to ceiling with salt blocks, the room is a replication of salt caves in the Himalayas - the source and namesake of the healing salts.
Himalayan salts are known to have health-boosting benefits, especially for respiratory systems, skin, and allergies. There’s also the Hot Room, Snow Room, and Red Clay Room, which helps with circulatory systems as well as detoxing and anti-aging.
After you’re done with Y SPA’s various rooms, you can enjoy the outdoor Pebble Walk Path for or let your stress be nibbled away at the Fish Spa for a relaxing foot spa session.
Y SPA charges 550 THB per pax for access to its onsen and sauna. You can stay for the whole day, but the price doesn’t include access to the fitness area, massage programs, and beauty courses like Nail Design (nail painting).