Been to Japan and visiting their onsens? Well, you can now enjoy the similar Japanese onsen experience here in Singapore with the new opening of Yunomori Onsen and Spa which is nestled in Kallang Wave Mall within Singapore Sports Hub.
It definitely sounded like a music to my ears when I heard about the opening of Yunomori Onsen. It just simply means that I don’t have to travel all the way to Japan just to enjoy the health and beauty benefits of onsen when we already have one onsen here in Singapore!
And if you have not tried onsen, you should totally give it a try! Not only you will feel rejuvenated and relaxed after soaking in a warm bath, you will feel that your skin becomes so much smoother and softer have soaked in these mineralized warm baths.
You can call it the first authentic Japanese onsen in Singapore with the largest variety of baths. There’s a total of 11 pools with 6 variations of baths and other facilities such as sauna, steam bath, massage and spa treatment rooms, shower area, dining cafe, lounge, locker facilities and luggage concierge service for travellers on the go. So if you are transiting here in Singapore and have a couple of hours to spare, you can alight at Stadium MRT station and hop on over on Yunomori for some ‘onsen time’.
Yunomori = hot water in the forest
This is one forest where you can immerse yourself into the warm baths to rejuvenate your senses and enjoy massages all at one place. After feeling all relaxed, you can also head over to their cafe for a nourishing meal and drinks.
Yunomori first started out in Bangkok and it is renowned for its unique relaxation and rejuvenation experience of marrying both authentic Japanese onsen therapy and Thai spa treatments.These aquatic therapies are popular among the Thai locals too over in Bangkok too.
The natural healing properties of mineral water and benefits of spa treatments boost health and wellness in each individual.
I was really glad to know that Yunomori uses Puri Alchemy’s range of spa products which is one of Thailand’s leading luxury spa and aromatherapy brands. They are 100% organic and chemical free. You can also purchase their body masks, scrubs, and massage oil at Yunomori if you happen to like using them.Let’s not wait any further and I am going to reveal some photos which I took during the media launch!
You will first notice this beautiful facade right at the entrance which welcomes you into to this zen-like spa that features a strong element of wood. I have a strong liking towards things made out of wood because it is very soothing and calming just by looking at the wooden material itself.
On my first visit to an onsen, I was quite clueless as to what to do and what not to do in onsens. Because it is, after all, a public bath area, there are certain practices to follow which the Japanese people would practice. Likewise, such onsen mannerisms are practised here at Yunomori as well. It is always done out of courtesy and in a respectful manner which is also part of the culture among Japanese people who values respect and courtesy.After all, we all want to have a pleasant experience at an onsen, don’t we?
So, here’s a list of what to do when you enter the onsen at Yunomori and also the onsen etiquettes which you should take note of.
1) What to bring? Just yourself.
While I was in Japan, I tried the onsens which are housed at the hotel itself so usually the hotel will provide a set of yukata ( a casual form of kimono) and we would just put it on before entering the onsen. I would also bring along a large bath towel with me to the onsen if bath towels are not provided.
However, at Yumonori, everything is pretty much provided. Having that said, you do not have to bring anything special along with you except maybe, an open mind because you will need to get comfortable with being naked in the public bath.
And to get to Yunomori, you will have to walk all the way into the mall till you reach NTUC Xtra and take the escalator (next to a bakery) up from there to level 2. And that’s the only escalator that will lead you up to the spa. There are also several signages that would provide directions to the spa so it is pretty easy to locate where it is.
2) Take off your shoes before entering and place them into the shoe lockers.
You would have to remove your shoes before entering and once you step foot on the wooden planks, you will instantly feel as if you are right at home, getting ready to get yourself soaked in a warm bath.
3) Get an individual wristbrand tag
Head over to the counter to sign in and if you would like to try out their massage services, you can make an appointment with them in advance. They also offer foot reflexology too. This is also where you can make your payments.
I know you are already excited to know what the prices are like, right?
The entrance fee to Yunomori onsen is priced affordably at S$28+ (for children and seniors) and S$38 + (for adults). It gives you access to the onsen facilities for the entire day so you can take your time to try out the different baths, sauna, and steam room too.
Basic bath amenities and lockers are provided too. However, if you would like to try their massage and other spa treatments, you would have to pay for the add-ons. The onsen and spa packages start from $68 and above.
Onsen entrance fees
Adult – $38 ($40.66 with GST)
Children (15 years old and below) /Senior Citizens (65 years old and above) – $28 ($29.96 with GST)
Also, if you purchase any food at the Yunomori cafe, they will bill it through your wrist tag first so that you would only need to make payment once just before you leave the place.
These wristband tags are also used to open and lock your lockers in the changing rooms.
Do wear the wristband around your wrist at all times.
4) Putting on your yukata
Collect your yukata, towels and underwear at the counter in the changing room.
However, only a small towel is allowed inside the onsen.
There are posters placed inside the lockers which provided instructions on how to wear the yukata. The yukata at Yunomori are somewhat special in a sense that it is modified to make it easier for us to wear it properly.
The yukatas for females are beautifully designed!
You can enter the onsen fully naked but if you are not too comfortable about it, they actually provide special underwears for you to put on and you would have to wear it underneath the yukata.
After you put on the yukata, wrap the obi (slash) around the body to secure it. Make sure that you are all well-covered up.
You can put on your yukata if you would like to head out of the bath area to rest at the cafe or lounge while waiting for your spa treatment. However, if you are heading directly to the baths, then you probably want to undress and just head naked to the bath area which is connected to the changing room.
Ready to check out the baths?
5) Shower before dipping
Bring only a small towel along with you. Do also note that swimsuits or your own underwear are not allowed for hygiene purposes. Head over to the shower area to wash clean before entering the bath.
You will notice that there are stools for you to sit at the shower area. And it is designed this way so that you will be sitting down to shower which avoids splashing water to the person showering beside you.
Remember to tidy up space and keep all equipment cleans for the next person to use.
6) Taking a good bath
Yunomori offers 6 different types of baths which can be found at the male onsen. However, for the female onsen, there are only 5 different baths. Only the hot bath is not found in the female onsen because it is not recommended for us, females to soak in really hot baths.
You can soak in the baths starting from right where it is the soda spa where the water is only slightly warmer than our body temperature. As you move from one bathtub to another down the row, the temperatures of the water will progressively get warmer.
While you are in the onsen, do not put in the towel or wash your body in the bathtubs for sanitary reasons. Also, always rinse your body and feet before getting into each bathtub.
6) Different types of bath
Soda spa
(38.5 to 39.5 degrees celsius)
The water is enriched with a high concentration of natural carbon dioxide which can help increase blood oxygen levels, improve blood circulation and reduce high blood pressure.
Silk bath
(38.5 to 39.5 degrees celsius)
It’s hot water that contains large amounts of microbubbles containing hydrogen and these tiny bubbles give the water a silky texture. This bath helps to relax the muscles and alleviates rheumatic and arthritic aches. It will also help to nourish body tissues, tighten the skin and improve skin elasticity.
Bubble bath
(38.5 to 39.5 degrees celsius)
The bubble bath has a layer of surfactant form that floats on top and its water is infused with nutrients of carefully balanced minerals which are imported all the way from Japan.
Jet bath
(39.5 to 41 degrees celsius)
This bathtub sends out full-body jet streams of air that can help to stimulate blood circulation.
Hot bath
(41 to 44 degrees celsius)
Soaking in a hot bath helps to relief joints and muscular tension and improve blood circulation.
Cold bath
(17 to 19 degrees celsius)
When you switch from the warm baths to the cold ones, your senses will suddenly be more awakened. And this form of cold therapy can tighten the skin as well.
7) Shower, again!
It is recommended that you soak in the baths for about 20 to 30 minutes or so but not too long as you might start to feel giddy afterwards. Shower once more before you leave the onsen area and put on your yukata.
You can proceed to rest in the lounge area and check out their cafes. You can also go for a massage right after taking a bath.
I hope it’s not too confusing but once you get the hang of it, you will know what to do when you are visiting an onsen next time. Just remember to be considerate at all time as this is a public bath area.
Also, no mobile phones or computer devices are allowed in the dressing room. But you can use them in the cafe or lounge area where there is also complimentary wi-fi with unlimited access.
Their spa treatment rooms are one-of-a-kind as they have walls that curves inwards at the four corners of the room. It gives off this peaceful and harmonious vibe.I would be visiting Yunomori Onsen again to try out the facilities so if you would like to find out more, do visit my blog again!
Yunomori Onsen & Spa
Kallang Wave Mall
#02-17/18
1 Stadium Place
Singapore 397628
(Take escalator near the exit of Fairprice up to level 2; Carpark B Area 3/4)
Tel: 6386 4126 / 6385 7985
Email: info@yunomorionsen.com.sgOperating hours: 10 am to 11pm
