Massages and Spa Days in Japan: the 8 Best

1.Tokyo: Japanese Massage – Kangfu Beauty & Body Care Salon

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 43 reviews · 30 minutes - 2 hours · from $69Our pick

At Kangfu Beauty & Body Care Salon in Ikebukuro, you can choose a 30-minute to 2-hour treatment combining facial sculpting, micro-bubble scalp care, and pelvic or body adjustment. The salon offers small-group service, Chinese translation with select packages, and a calm break from Tokyo sightseeing.

“this facility is very clean, beautiful I love the table and the entire treatment was great. I've never had a treatment like that.”

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2.Tokyo Ikebana Wellness Art Experience near Shinjuku

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $52Top rated

At a small workshop in Nakano, instructor Ai introduces you to ikebana, the 600-year-old Japanese art of flower arrangement. You will learn its history, tools, styles, and basic principles before creating your own arrangement with step-by-step help. The relaxed 90-minute session suits beginners of all ages, and you can take your flowers with you afterward.

“I enjoyed Ikebana a lot! It was my first time to try, but the instructor Ai-sensei was very kind and taught me how to do it in English. It was very helpful! She gave me good advice and showed us how to do it and make it look better and beautifRead more”

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3.Osaka Temple Head Spa &Matcha Facial – Refresh & Glow〈90min〉

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 2 hours · from $141

Spend about two hours at an Osaka temple with a small group of up to three people. You will change into a yukata, offer incense, meditate with a bell, enjoy a foot bath and scrub, receive a head spa and matcha facial, then join a traditional tea ceremony. Smartphone photos are included.

“Lovely temple, beautiful experience and the host are very nice and it’s an experience I highly recommend.”

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4.Experience Award-Winning Spa Treatments in Downtown Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $466

Spend about three hours at Spa Damai Daikanyama, a private Tokyo spa near Shibuya. Choose shiatsu, facial and head care, detoxifying oil massage, full-body treatment, or a couples massage. Towels and bathrobes are supplied, but you must confirm your preferred appointment time after booking.

“Great spa definitely recommend! Professional from start to finish. Worth treating yourself! Couple massage lovely experience. Staff welcoming and very friendly.”

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5.Osaka Temple ：Warm Bamboo Oil Massage – Deep Restore〈60min〉

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 19 reviews · 1 hour · from $96

Spend one hour at Osaka’s Japanese Massage 唯一無二, also called the one&only, for a warm bamboo and hand oil massage inside a traditional temple. Heated bamboo helps release tight fascia, while incense and a temple visit add a quiet cultural touch. English and Japanese support is available, with space for only three participants.

“Really unique place to get a massage. The temple aspect is really pretty and the staff are really kind. Now onto the message. Fantastic. They drove into the tight tendons. After walking straight for the past few days everything was tight and stiff. Now, I feel like I can complete my trip with more comfort and ease. If you are tired and need a break. I recommend this experience.”

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6.Osaka: Tennen Onsen Naniwa-no-Yu, the famous hot spring spa

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 19 reviews · 1 day · from $5Best value

Visit Tennen Onsen Naniwa-no-Yu, an eighth-floor public bath in Osaka supplied by naturally carbonated mineral water from 659 meters underground. Soak in several hot spring features, enjoy city views, and use the spa as a quiet break from sightseeing. Shampoo, conditioner, and body soap are provided.

“This was a great experience. We had never been to an Onsen before and we thoroughly enjoyed it . There was a lot of different features to try and it was not at all crowded. The spa was clean and well maintained. I would certainly recommend this as a relaxing break from site seeing .”

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7.Osaka Temple ：Warm Bamboo Oil Massage – Deep Restore〈90min〉

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 2 hours · from $129

At Japanese Massage -the one&only-, you change into a simple yukata, offer incense, meditate, and enjoy a 90-minute bamboo and oil treatment. Arisa is one of the masseuses, and the small group format keeps things personal. Matcha, Japanese sweets, a foot bath, and smartphone photos round out this calm Osaka temple experience.

“Ich bin sehr happy, dass ich diesen Ort gefunden habe. Die Behandlung inkl. Teezeremonie war besonders, fast magisch. Ich konnte von Beginn an eintauchen und mich komplett entspannen. Ich habe mich dort so wohlgefühlt, dass ich für den nächsten Tag gleich noch eine Gesichtsbehandlung gebucht habe.”

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8.Tokyo: Scalp Care Treatment at a Head Spa

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9 reviews · 2 hours · from $167

Spend two hours at CARINA GINZA in a private Tokyo head spa room. You’ll receive a scalp microscope check, water jet peeling, technical massage, and a moisturizing pack with sake ingredients. English and Japanese support is available, and therapists such as Saaya, Maiko, and Mieko can help explain the treatment.

“This was a very relaxing experience. The therapist I was with, Mieko, was good at conversing with me despite us usually needing Google Translate as an intermediary. I came out of the experience with healthier hair and some good advice to keep it that way. If I find myself back in Tokyo I’d do it again.”

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