This is the second edition of the “Onsen (hot springs) accessible by car” series! This series introduces hot springs that can be accessed by car.
For those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and refresh both body and mind. Let us introduce you to Hanayu Spa Resort, one of the largest hot spring facilities in the Kanto region. Located in Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, this facility offers new day-trip spa attractions with its abundant hot spring facilities and full range of amenities.
We recommend visiting for relaxation, especially after enjoying a road trip around Saitama Prefecture. For more articles on road trips in Saitama Prefecture, check out the article links below!
Hanayu Spa Resort Basic Information
Location and contact information
- Address: 1005 Kaminuki, Kumagaya, Saitama, Japan
- Phone: 048-501-1126
- Official website: http://hanayuspa.jp/ (The site is in Japanese only.)
Access
- Access by car: Spacious 300-car parking lot
- Public transportation:
- Free shuttle bus: Departs every hour from Kumagaya Station at 00:00
- Bus: Take the bus bound for “Inuzuka” from Kumagaya Station, platform 2, get off at “Shukuuraku” and walk 3 minutes.
Business Information
- Business hours: 10:00AM-11:00PM (open all year round)
- Fee structure:
- Basic fee: 800 yen on weekdays / 950 yen on weekends and holidays
- Bedrock bath: 650 yen on weekdays / 750 yen on weekends and holidays
- Night discount: 100 yen off after 6:00 p.m.
- Weekends and holidays: up to 5 hours at basic rate (400 yen extension fee)
The Onsen Experience
For those new to Japanese hot springs, Hanayu Spa Resort offers a perfect introduction to this beloved cultural practice. The facility features both indoor and outdoor baths (rotenburo) filled with mineral-rich natural hot spring water. The outdoor baths are particularly special, allowing you to experience the changing seasons of Japan while soaking in therapeutic waters.
Each bathing area offers various pools with different temperatures and mineral compositions. You’ll find traditional medicinal baths (yakuyu) that change seasonally, offering unique therapeutic benefits. The facility also features an authentic Japanese sauna experience, complete with proper cooling areas for the perfect temperature regulation cycle that Japanese call “totonou.”
Bedrock bath area and relaxation area
One of the facility’s highlights is the ganbanyoku (bedrock bathing) area. This traditional Japanese heating therapy involves lying on warm stone slabs, which can help improve circulation and promote relaxation. The fee is ¥650 on weekdays and ¥750 on weekends, including the special löyly (water vapor) service common in Nordic sauna traditions but adapted for Japanese preferences.
The resort also offers comfortable relaxation areas where you can rest between baths. Professional massage services are available for those seeking extra relaxation, and there’s even a manga (Japanese comic) corner where you can experience this unique aspect of Japanese popular culture.From the massage chair I could see the sheep that are kept at this facility!
Restaurant
No Japanese spa experience would be complete without good food. The resort’s restaurant specializes in two local favorites: handmade udon noodles known for their perfect chewy texture, and shabu-shabu (Japanese hot pot) featuring premium Saitama pork. This is a wonderful opportunity to try authentic Japanese cuisine in a casual setting.
Tips for International Visitors
- Remember that Japanese onsen requires bathing without swimsuits. Men’s and women’s bathing areas are completely separate.
- The facility provides all necessary amenities, including towels and bath products.
- Basic English signage is available throughout the facility.
- Tattoos may be restricted in bathing areas, following traditional Japanese onsen customs.
- Rental bath wear (yukata) is available for use in common areas.
Conclusion
Hanayu Spa Resort is a place where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and refresh your mind and body. With excellent facilities and affordable prices, this facility offers the best of what a one-day spa experience can offer. It is especially recommended to stop by during a drive or at the end of a sightseeing tour in Saitama Prefecture. The seasonal changes in the hot spring baths are also appealing, and many repeat visitors continue to love this popular spot where they can make new discoveries no matter how many times they visit.
Please stop by for a break during a drive or to refresh yourself on weekends. In the first installment of this series, we introduced “Saya no Yu Dokoro” in central Tokyo. Please check them out as well.
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