Sometimes, life can get stressful. What better way to relax and rejuvenate our bodies and souls, than to visit one of Singapore’s very own Onsen spas? Last Saturday, I had the chance to visit Yunomori Onsen & Spa, located at Kallang Wave Mall. There, I had the most relaxing experience of my life!
For the unacquainted, an Onsen, literally meaning “hot spring” in Japan, is a natural hot spring bath. Thousands of Onsen spas can be found in Japan as it is a volcanically active country. Of course, Singapore is not a country with volcanic activity, and the Onsen is not attached to any hot springs, but we can still soak in the benefits of mineral-rich baths and a relaxing atmosphere designed to wash away our stresses.
With Yunomori’s day pass, I got the chance to pamper myself with their diverse facilities. Let me take you on a journey through my day at Yunomori Onsen & Spa.
Pre-Entry: The Shoe Locker and Reception
I arrived at Yunomori, not knowing what to expect. Upon heading to the reception, I was asked to remove our shoes and place them inside the shoe lockers.
Next, I headed to the reception to check in. My vaccination status was checked (as there are certain features that only fully vaccinated guests can access). They also gave me a wristband which would act as my locker key, and be used to make purchases in the Onsen.
Lockers & Showers
After checking in I immediately headed to the female Onsen area. The staff were very welcoming and happy to guide me when I told them it was my first Onsen experience. They explained to me that no clothes or towels were allowed in the baths. For patrons who may be a little shyer about their bodies, disposable underwear was provided to be worn in the baths.
A yukata (a Japanese-style robe wrapped around the body and fastened with a sash) was also provided. Something I loved was that they gave me a choice of the robes on display, instead of just giving everyone the same design.
Next, I headed to the locker room to get undressed and put away my items. No photo-taking was allowed beyond this point, for privacy reasons.
For a novice Onsen visitor like me, it was quite a shock to walk into a room and be surrounded by people in varying degrees of nudeness. But the shock and initial awkwardness was easy to get over, and I knew everyone was here just to relax and enjoy themselves.
Before the main event, I headed to the communal showers to thoroughly wash myself and side note, the soap and shampoo they provided smelled amazing.
The Baths
Finally, I made it to the baths. Yunomori provides six different baths, all with their different benefits: the Bubble Bath, the Hot Bath, the Jet Bath, the Soda Bath, the Silk Bath, and the Cold Bath. This was of course the best part of my experience.
The first bath I tried was the Silk Bath. The Silk Bath is filled with tiny bubbles and is meant to relax mental stresses as well as bodily aches. The water was hot and took a bit of getting used to, but once I fully sunk in, it felt amazing. The water felt silky and soapy on my skin. All my stress, both mental and physical, was soaked into the water and then washed away, and the bubbly water made me feel like I was floating on air.
Next, I tried the Jet Bath. The pressure from the jets is great for body pains and aches, acting as a sort of water massage. According to Yunomori, it’s also good for metabolism and blood circulation!
The Soda Bath felt similar to the Silk Bath for me, but the benefits are completely different. It is rich with carbon dioxide, and Yunomori’s website says that it “improves circulation, reduces high blood pressure, and detoxifies the blood”. Apparently, it is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia!
The last one I tried was the Cold Bath. This was a huge change in temperature from the other baths, which took a while to get used to, but it was still very enjoyable. I wouldn’t recommend jumping straight in, though. Use the water cups placed near the baths to feel the water on your skin, and let your body get accustomed to it first!
After my extremely enjoyable time at the bath area, I went into the steam room. It has 100% humidity and is meant to relax the body and rejuvenate the skin.
The Cafe & Relaxing Lounge
With the day pass, I also had access to the Yunomori Cafe and the relaxing lounge. Do note that food is not provided with the all day pass but you can purchase your own. I had some Strawberry Milk ($4.80) at the cafe, following the Japanese ritual of drinking milk after bathing at an Onsen. Would also recommend trying some of their delicious food such as the Chicken Karaage Curry ($14.80) at the cafe.
The last stop in my Yunomori experience was the relaxing lounge. It really lived up to its name! Once I stepped inside, I saw people lounging on the beds, some even fast asleep.
The dim lighting, the beds that were just the right amount of soft, and the comfort of the yukata wrapped around me filled me with a sense of ease. I rested on a bed for a while, and even took a short nap in the silent and peaceful atmosphere.
That marked the end of my day at Yunomori Onsen & Spa. Like I said before, this was easily the most relaxing experience I’ve ever had, and it made me want to go again! Their day pass allows you all day access but if would like to experience their massages as well check out their menu here.
So, what are you waiting for? No reservations are required for onsen entry so just go to Kallang Wave Mall and head to the second floor, and Yunomori shouldn’t be hard to find. Grab a couple of friends, and head down together soon! You can also check out their Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates and guidelines.
This article was brought to you by Su Thet Hnin San. Aside from social activism and current affairs, she also enjoys ice skating, watching Netflix shows, and playing video games.
