Enjoy Ashiyu with a beautiful view

Have you ever heard of the Japanese word “ashiyu 足湯” that means footbath? Ashiyu are often available in hot spring facilities or at hot springs in hot spring resorts, but recently there are more and more places outside of hot spring resorts where you can enjoy them. After all, the appeal of ashiyu is that there is no need to change your clothes, and women do not need to fix up their makeup, making it a casual and enjoyable experience. I’d like to introduce the health benefits of ashiyu and two ashiyu spots where you can enjoy not only ashiyu but also a beautiful view. 

(1) Health Benefits of Ashiyu

An ashiyu is a very easy way to take a bath for your body. If you soak your calves, known as your second heart, slowly in an ashiyu for about 20 minutes, the blood warmed in your toes will travel throughout your body, consequently warming your entire body. It has been scientifically proven to have a relaxing effect and improve sleep.

1.   Swelling and coldness are improved.

Excess water and “waste products” that cause swelling will flow, resulting in a detoxifying effect.

2.   The autonomic nervous system is regulated.

Blood flow improves and the parasympathetic nervous system becomes dominant.

3.   Liver function improves.

When the body is soaked  in an ashiyu, liver function improves because the burden on the liver is reduced.

In other words, the above three effects make ashiyu good for beauty and health, as well as for disease prevention.

(2) Recommended Ashiyu Spots

■”THE WHARF HOUSE YAMASHITA PARK” in Yokohama

It is “the ashiyu terrace” located in “THE WHARF HOUSE YAMASHITA PARK,” one of the popular sightseeing spots in Yokohama, on the Yokohama Port Grand Pier Terminal side of Yamashita Park, which was renovated and opened in April 2023. This ashiyu terrace faces the sea, so you can enjoy the view of the ships coming and going from the Port of Yokohama and the Rainbow Bridge during the day, and the night view of the bay area at night. It also has a cooling function in the summer, so it helps to cool feet that have been burned by walking around. Spending time in the ashiyu while feeling the sea breeze and looking out at the ocean is a great way to relax. The restaurant also offers a café for dining, BBQ and a gift store.

1. You need to enter this restaurant and sign up for “the ashiyu terrace.”

2. Follow the directions on the tablet to sign up. Then, you will take a ticket and pay a fee of 300 yen / 30 minutes at the counter in the restaurant. If you want to use rental towels, 200 yen is required separately.

3. You will be guided through the restaurant to the ashiyu area with a number tag. 

4. After that, spend some time soaking in the ashiyu until it’s time to go.

★Access

• 16-minute walk from Kannai Station on the JR Tohoku Negishi Line and Yokohama Municipal Subway 
• 7-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station or Nihon-odori Station on the Minatomirai Line

★Business Hours・・・11:00～19:00

■“The observation ashiyu garden” at “Minaka Odawara” in Odawara

“The observation ashiyu garden” is located on the 14th floor of a commercial facility “the Minaka Odawara,” which opened in December 2020. It is directly connected to the East Exit of JR Odawara Station. There is a direct elevator from the 3rd floor of that building to the 14th floor “the observation ashiyu garden.” This ashiyu is free for everyone to use. And you can also enjoy the view of the Odawara cityscape, Odawara Castle, and Sagami Bay while soaking in the ashiyu. The view is said to be almost the same as that of the observation deck of Odawara Castle’s keep. Especially, this ashiyu uses natural hot spring water from Hakone-Yumoto. So you can expect more effective footbaths.

1.The 3rd floor of “Minaka Odawara” is a food court, lined with food stores with an Edo-atmosphere. From here, you can take the elevator or the connecting passageway from the 3rd floor of the JR East Exit.

2. This elevator has a glass wall, so you can go up to the 14th floor while looking at the cityscape of Odawara, Odawara Castle, and Sagami Bay.

3. This ashiyu is designed for people to sit on both sides. Take off your shoes and socks, soak your feet in the ashiyu, and enjoy the view from the upper floors.

★Access

• Elevator from the ground floor of JR Odawara Station East Exit .
• Go through the connecting passageway on the second floor of a shopping mall called “Laska Odawara” adjacent to the JR Odawara East Exit and take the elevator at “Minaka Odawara.”

★Business Hours・・・10:00～18:00

Finally

Are you interested in ashiyu, which offer the feeling of a hot spring in a casual setting? I heard that some foreign tourists were uncomfortable with the idea of entering hot springs naked. However, with ashiyu, you can enjoy the feeling of a hot spring without having to worry about such things. You could start with ashiyu. It is recommended as a spot to stop by while sightseeing in Yokohama or Odawara. I was not able to include photos of the night view this time, but I’m sure you will like both night views. Don’t forget your towel when you’re there! Thank you for reading to the end.