Day trip bathing travel journals to hot springs where we visited by train and bus

Musashikoyama-onsen Shimizuyu

Musashikoyama-onsen Shimizuyu

3-9-1, Koyama, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Kuroyu and ancient seawater onsen. Open-air bath has two types of hot springs that represent Tokyo Bay area. A popular hot spring bathhouse worths more than the price.

Shimizuyu open-air bath Koganenoyu bathtub
Shimizuyu exterior Shimizuyu indoor bath Shimizuyu open-air bath Kuroyu bathtub

Kuroyu is called "Water of beautiful skin" that feels slimy. An ancient seawater hot spring named "Ogonnoyu" with rich in iodine. It springs out of the stratum of 5 million years ago and is flowing from the source. You can enjoy these two spring qualities together at Shimizuyu.

The open-air bath area is a quaint structure with steps and plants. If you look at the sky from the open-air bath, you will forget being in Tokyo.

The building has become new and bright with a renewal while keeping the atmosphere of casual and undecorated. After bathing, what do you think about Shimizuyu homemade onsen eggs?

Location

Rating of access

5.0 pt(from Meguro)

→ How to rate access train

Area / Railway

Kanto Region
Tokyo

Tokyu Meguro Line

onsen

Route from Meguro
  • Meguro Sta. Tokyu: 5 min Meguro Line ¥ 130
  • Musashikoyama Sta.Walk: 5 min 0.4 km (0.2 mi)
  • Shimizuyu
Route from Gotanda
  • Gotanda Sta.Walk: 25 min 1.9 km (1.2 mi)
  • Shimizuyu
Route from Gotanda
  • Gotanda Sta. (West exit) Tokyu Bus: 8 min Tan-11 ¥ 220
  • Koyama Sanchome Bus StopWalk: 5 min 0.4 km (0.2 mi)
  • Shimizuyu
Route from Shibuya
  • Shibuya Sta. Tokyu: 5 min Toyoko Line ¥ 160
  • Gakugei Daigaku Sta.Walk: 1 min 0.1 km (0.1 mi)
  • Gakugei Daigaku Sta. Bus Stop Tokyu Bus: 13 min Tan-11 ¥ 220
  • Koyama Sanchome Bus StopWalk: 5 min 0.4 km (0.2 mi)
  • Shimizuyu
Routes
  • Meguro
  • Tokyu
  • Musashi-koyama
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 10 min ¥ 130

  • Gotanda
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 25 min ¥ 0

  • Gotanda
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 13 min ¥ 220

  • Shibuya
  • Tokyu
  • Gakugei Daigaku
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 24 min ¥ 380

  • The above fares are based on cash. When using an IC card, the fares may differ slightly.
  • The above times and distances are approximate. Does not include transfering or waiting times.

How to get to Shimizuyu

(Directions from Musashikoyama Sta.)
  1. Exit the station East exit and go left
  2. Turn right at the T-junction
  3. Turn right at Ushiroji signal intersection and immediately arrived

Click the map to open Google Map

Travel journal of day trip bathing to hot spring

Characters

Nishi-san
Nishi-san
He is an orthodox hot springs lover and particular about quality of springs. He loves the hot springs flowing from the source, the hot water with a presence, and the rustic atmosphere.
Kita-san
Kita-san
He doesn't care much about quality of hot springs. He loves the open-air bath, and prefers hot springs that have visible features such as good views.

It's a rainy season. Humid days continue every day. So, Nishi-san and Kita-san talked about going to a nearby hot spring to refresh feeling. The destination they choice is "Shimizuyu", the onsen bathhouse in Shinagawa City, Tokyo. It is a hot spring only 6 minutes walk from Musashikoyama Station.

Shimizuyu exterior

Exterior

Look here. We've arrived.

Oh, it was really five or six minutes from the station.

The route behind Shimizuyu seems a little closer. Let's take it when going back.

It's still new, but feels moderately tasteful and laid-back, you know.

I think so. There are a lot of locals, but even tourists can easily go in.

There is a break room in front of the reception desk. The two go to the bathing room passing through there.

Shimizuyu was reopened in 2008.

Shimizuyu Kuroyu in indoor bath

Kuroyu in Indoor bath (Electric bath area in back, whirlpool area in front)

By the way, is it true Kuroyu here isn't so hot?

Yes, it's not so hot. About 42 degrees?

Really? I think Kuroyu is always too hot ... Hmm? Oh, really, this is not too hot.

See? As I said.

That's right, this is okay ... Ouch! Something hits me now!

Oh, around this area is an electric bath. Let's move to there, the whirlpool area.

42 ℃ is 107.6 ℉

The reason why Kuroyu looks black is what it has "humic acid" made from plant sediments. Tokyo has many Kuroyu hot springs.

Why do they make an electric zzzt bath? DENKI GROOVE alone is enough ... Oh? oh, um, this water stream is so strong, isn't it?

Hmm ... sure, it's SO strong.

If I am careless, likely to be push away by the stream ... Oops ...

Hey, don't push me, this side is the electric zzzt area.

Well, I'll not push you, but the water stream push me ... like this ...

You guys, don't push me! ... Ouch! I'm shocked!

Next, Nishi-san and Kita-san get out to the open-air bath. In the front is Kuroyu tub, and on the top of the stairs in the back is Ogonnoyu tub. First, go into the Kuroyu.

DENKI GROOVE is Japanese techno / electro dance music band. "DENKI BIRI BIRI" (means "Electric Zzzt"); is an early DENKI GROOVE's masterpiece.

Shimizuyu Kuroyu in open-air bath

Kuroyu in Open-air bath (with jacuzzi)

Oh, the open-air Kuroyu is even softer and nice.

Yeah, but I think that the indoor bath Kuroyu is more a bit slimy .... The water is a bit dirty.

But before the water condition, most of the Kuroyu in Tokyo is too hot to enter.

Hahaha. There are many such things.

Next is the Ogonnoyu tub, which is up the short stairs while watching the bamboo planting.

Shimizuyu open-air bath

Open-air bath

Oh, This is good for taking a long bath.

It's flowing from the source. Seaweed-ish iodine smell is fresh. I like this bathtub best.

Oh? This description says this is an ancient seawater hot spring certified as a recuperation spring. Seawater? ... Then, the taste is ... Oops! really, so salty!

Shimizuyu hot water spout of open-air bath

Hot water spout of Open-air bath

Kanto Region has so many ancient seawater hot springs, too. But I think it's rare to have both this and Kuroyu. Perhaps only here.

And, the both are in the open-air bath, you know. Even though Tokyo, seeing the sky well. Great!

You said it.

Shimizuyu garden facing the break room

Garden facing the break room

Nishi-san and Kita-san left out of the bath after enjoying the both onsen enough. They have come down to the break room in front of the first floor reception desk.

Well, good water it was. If just right temperature, Kuroyu is nice, you know.

You're right.

And Japanese garden outside has a ... Huh? The windows are all open. Aren't mosquitoes coming in?

It's okay because they are burning a mosquito-repellent incense. Let's buy something to drink, and rest to cool down for a while in here.

For bathhouses in Tokyo, it is common for water temperatures to be around 46 ℃ (114.8 ℉). Apart from the locals, it's so hot for most travelers, I think.

After bath, cool of the evening, smell of mosquito-repellent incense. Nishi-san and Kita-san enjoyed an early summer mood of Japan with a moist, soft breeze and cold beer. The TV nobody watching was saying that the ending of rainy season was just coming.

(July 2015)

There is a draft beer server next to the reception desk. (¥ 500 - ¥ 600)

Impression & rating

Onsen of the ancient seawater is luxuriously flowing from the source, and Kuroyu in indoor bath is nice too. A hot spring bathhouse more than the price.

2.5 pt

Impression & rating

The open-air bath has two bathtubs and deck chairs, making it so fulfilling. The hot water temperature is not too hot, and very good impression.

3.0 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address
3-9-1, Koyama, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Phone
domestic: 03-3781-0575
international: +813-3781-0575
Web Site
Musashikoyama-onsen Shimizuyu
Bathing hours
[Except Sundays] 12:00 - 24:00
[Sundays] 8:00 - 24:00
Regular holiday
Mondays
(open on public holidays, no transfer holidays)
Charge
Adults: ¥ 470 / Junior high school students: ¥ 300 / Children: ¥ 180 / Kindergarten children: Up to 2 people free per adult
[Sauna] ¥ 400
[Bedrock bathing (women only)] ¥ 1,400
Baths
Gender-separated indoor bath, Gender-separated open-air bath, Female-only bedrock bathing
Equipments
No shampoo etc.

The hot spring data
(According to hot spring analysis report etc.)

Ogonnoyu

(Survey date: Apr. 4, 2007)

Spring quality
Sodium - Chloride spring (Hypertonic Weak alkaline Hot spring)

According to the latest survey, the spring quality falls under "Iodine spring". (As of 2019)

Source
3-177-33, Koyama, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Temperature
38.0 ℃ (100.4 ℉)
[air temperature: 15 ℃ (59 ℉)]
Volume
260 L / min (Pumping after drilling)
pH value
7.8
Total ingredients
18.66 g / kg
Perception
Slight yellow clear salty taste Mineral oily odor, gas babbles

Kuroyu

(Survey date: Aug. 26, 2009)

Spring quality
Metasilicic acid and Sodium bicarbonate
Temperature
18.6 ℃ (65.5 ℉)
[air temperature: 27 ℃ (80.6 ℉)]
Volume
10 t / day (Pumping after drilling)

10 t / day is equivalent to about 7 L / min

pH value
8.3
Total ingredients
0.847 g / kg
Perception
Light brown, clear, almost tasteless and odorless

Today's Detour

AMAMERIA Espresso exterior
AMAMERIA Espresso interior

AMAMERIA Espresso (Roastery Cafe)

On the way back from Shimizuyu to Musashikoyama Station, The place I want to stop by is "AMAMERIA Espresso". It is a cafe that brews espresso with special roasting. When I drank it for the first time, I was surprised that coffee beans were holding so many various tastes and aromas inside. (→ AMAMERIA website)

  • The descriptions on this page contain personal opinions and are not necessarily objective facts.
  • The information may have changed at present. In particular, the charge and price etc. has often not updated from the time of travel, so check the latest information on the official website.

Onsen List

Tohoku Region

Kanto Region

Kyushu Region

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