Osaka Sauna DESSE Review:A Sauna Theme Park in Shinsaibashi

After finishing a particularly busy period at work, I decided to take a Friday off and treat myself to a relaxing sauna day.

While looking for a good sauna in Osaka, I found Osaka Sauna DESSE, a stylish and highly rated sauna facility located in Shinsaibashi. So, of course, I had to give it a try!

The facility was spacious, clean, and stylish, with a surprisingly large variety of sauna rooms. After spending a few hours there, my impression was simple:
DESSE feels like a sauna theme park!

In this article, I’ll share my actual experience at Osaka Sauna DESSE, including its different sauna rooms, cold baths, relaxation areas, amenities, and more.

If you’re looking for a sauna to visit during your trip to Osaka, I hope this review helps!

Shingo

First time visiting a sauna in Japan?

Sauna etiquette in Japan may be a little different from what you’re used to. I also wrote a following article explaining the basic rules and manners for visiting Japanese saunas.

Related Article

Japanese Sauna Etiquette: Rules & Manners You Should Know Before Visiting

Basic Information About Osaka Sauna DESSE

First, let’s take a look at some basic information about Osaka Sauna DESSE.

①Access

One of the best things about DESSE is its location.

It’s only about a 2–5 minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line. The facility is located on the fourth floor of a building right in the middle of the Shinsaibashi shopping district.

When I arrived, I actually thought: “There’s really a sauna here?” But yes, there is!

It’s also close to Dotonbori — yes, the famous area with the giant Glico Running Man sign — and Namba is within easy reach as well.

That makes DESSE very convenient if you want to combine sightseeing in Osaka with a sauna visit.

②Opening Hours

The regular opening hours are 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. the following morning.　There is normally one closing day per month, and the facility closes at midnight on the day before the scheduled closure.

Since DESSE stays open overnight, it can also be a convenient option for enjoying a late-night or early-morning sauna in Osaka.

Just remember that intoxicated guests are not allowed to enter.

DESSE also has different operating days:

Men’s Day – for men only

• Ladies’ Day – for women only
• Men’s & Ladies’ Day – separate areas are provided for men and women
• Tattoo Day – guests with tattoos are allowed to enter

If you want to experience all of the sauna rooms, I recommend visiting on a Men’s Day or Ladies’ Day.

The schedule changes, so make sure to check the official DESSE website before your visit.
https://desse.osaka/schedule

③Admission Fees

The admission fees were as follows:

Compared with a typical Japanese sento (public bath) or sauna, DESSE is a little expensive.

However, considering the quality and variety of the saunas, I personally thought the price was reasonable.

Note: Prices and opening hours may change, so please check the official DESSE website for the latest information before visiting.

④Can People With Tattoos Enter?

DESSE has designated Tattoo Days, when people with tattoos are allowed to enter.

This is still relatively uncommon in Japan, as many public baths and sauna facilities have restrictions on tattoos. DESSE is therefore a particularly convenient option for international visitors with tattoos. If you have tattoos, check DESSE’s latest schedule before visiting

Shingo

Looking at DESSE’s schedule, Tattoo Days are available quite frequently — sometimes around half the days of the month!

In the schedule below, days marked with a star (★) are Tattoo Days.

Image source: OSAKA SAUNA DESSE Official Schedule　https://desse.osaka/schedule/

⑤Is English Available?

International visitors can use Osaka Sauna DESSE even if they don’t speak Japanese.

Basic English assistance may be available at reception, although not all staff members necessarily speak English. Some signs and instructions inside the facility may also be mainly in Japanese.

Overall, DESSE is relatively easy to visit for international travelers, but learning the basic rules of Japanese sauna etiquette before your visit will make the experience much smoother.

My Sauna Review

Now, let’s get to the main part of this article: the saunas!

①Eight sauna rooms

The biggest attraction of DESSE is definitely the variety.

There are eight sauna rooms in total, including the private sauna, and each one has a different temperature, humidity level, atmosphere, and set of rules.

Signs outside each sauna explain its characteristics and rules, so it’s a good idea to read them before entering.

1. Kawa Sauna (River Sauna)

Kawa Sauna is a medium-temperature, medium-humidity sauna with space for around six people. Heat-wave (aufguss) services are also held here.

But the most interesting feature is the cold bath.
Believe it or not, the cold bath actually extends inside the sauna room, meaning you can go directly from the sauna into the water!

It’s difficult to explain the layout in words. You’ll have to visit and see it for yourself!

2. Kawa Sauna Kura (River Sauna2)

Kura is connected to Kawa Sauna. It’s a lower-temperature sauna with medium humidity and an automatic löyly system. Personally, I found the temperature a little too mild for my taste.

However, if you prefer taking your time and relaxing in a gentler sauna, this might be a good choice.

3. Niwa Sauna (Garden Sauna)

Niwa Sauna is located near the semi-outdoor relaxation area.

The sauna stove sits in the center of the room, and everyone sits around it. It almost feels like sitting around a campfire.

Near the entrance, you’ll also find ice kugel — frozen balls made with aromatic water. You can place one on the sauna stones and enjoy the aroma as it slowly melts.

The temperature here is also relatively mild, so I think it’s a nice place to relax and chat with friends.

4. Mori Sauna (Forest Sauna)

Mori Sauna is located in the silent area and has high temperature and high humidity. Talking isn’t allowed here, so you can sit quietly and enjoy the sauna almost like meditation.

But be warned: This sauna is seriously hot!

During my first round, I couldn’t handle it and gave up after only about two minutes. By around my fourth sauna round, though, my body had become more accustomed to the heat, and I really enjoyed it.

Definitely an intense experience!

5. Minamo Sauna

This was my favorite sauna at DESSE.

Minamo Sauna has a relatively low temperature and medium humidity, and talking is prohibited.

Officially it’s described as medium humidity, but personally, it actually felt even more humid than Mori Sauna. Even though the room temperature wasn’t particularly high, the humidity warmed my body very comfortably.

The benches are also designed so you can lean back and relax.

Quiet atmosphere, comfortable seating, and plenty of humidity…
I felt like I could stay here forever.

6. Cha-Shitsu Sauna (Tea Room Sauna)

This was another one of my favorites.
Cha-Shitsu Sauna has a high temperature and medium humidity, and the floor is covered with tatami mats. As its name suggests, it really feels like a traditional Japanese tea room.

Even more interesting is the automatic löyly system. A glass teapot filled with tea hangs above the sauna stove, and when the tea is poured onto the hot stones, the entire room fills with its aroma. When I visited, the fragrance reminded me of oolong tea.

The mechanism even resembles a traditional Japanese shishi-odoshi bamboo fountain. It’s definitely worth seeing!

For international visitors in particular, I think this is one of DESSE’s most uniquely Japanese sauna experiences.

7. Hanare Sauna

Hanare Sauna is located right next to Cha-Shitsu Sauna.

It’s a medium-temperature, low-humidity sauna where whisking services are offered.

It can also apparently be reserved for private use.

8. Musubi Sauna

Musubi Sauna is a private sauna that can accommodate up to six people. It could be a nice option for a sauna date or for a group of friends who want their own private space.

Unfortunately, reservations were temporarily suspended due to renovation work when I wrote the original Japanese version of this article.

As of September 22, 2026, when I’m writing this English version, Musubi Sauna still appears to be under renovation. What a shame!

②Cold Baths and Hot Baths

DESSE also has several baths in the common area.
When I visited, there were four cold baths and two hot baths.

1. Cold Baths

The first cold bath is connected directly to Kawa Sauna. When I visited, the water temperature was around 18°C (64°F).

The second is located between Minamo Sauna and Cha-Shitsu Sauna and was also around 18°C (64°F).

Then things get considerably colder.
The third cold bath, located near Kawa Sauna, is 150 cm deep and was around 9°C (48°F).

The fourth is a stylish Shigaraki-ware cold bath located just outside Mori Sauna. This was also around 9°C (48°F). Since Mori Sauna is extremely hot, I’m sure some sauna lovers will really enjoy jumping into an ice-cold bath afterward.

Personally, however, I wish there had been a cold bath somewhere around 15°C (59°F). That temperature is just about perfect for me!

Of course, the water temperatures may vary depending on the day.

2. Hot Baths

There were also two hot baths, with water temperatures of around 40–41°C (104–106°F). So if you prefer relaxing in a traditional hot bath, you can do that too.

One of the hot baths in front of Minamo Sauna even had chairs submerged in the water, allowing you to sit comfortably inside the bath. I had never seen that before. Pretty interesting!

3. Relaxation Areas

DESSE has two main relaxation areas.

One is an indoor area near Cha-Shitsu Sauna, while the other is a semi-outdoor area near Niwa Sauna. Both had roughly 7–10 chairs when I visited.
If the facility is crowded, you may have to wait for a seat.

The semi-outdoor area also has a drink counter where you can buy drinks and desserts.

By the way, wearing a sauna poncho is not allowed in the relaxation areas. A little disappointing for people like me who enjoy wearing one while relaxing!

③Amenities

Another great thing about DESSE is that you can basically visit empty-handed.

When I visited, amenities included shampoo, conditioner, body soap, skincare products, hair wax and gel, and hair dryers. There was also a free water dispenser.

Up to two small towels were officially available free of charge. Sauna hats, bath towels, and indoor clothing could also be rented for an additional fee.

I was particularly impressed by the quality of the amenities. Even the hair products felt like something you’d find at a salon, and the hair dryers were stylish Dyson models.

For travelers who don’t want to carry towels and toiletries around Osaka all day, this is very convenient.

Other Facilities

DESSE isn’t only about saunas. The other facilities are stylish as well.

①Sauna Food and Relaxation Area

After checking in at reception, you’ll find a restaurant and relaxation area further inside.

The menu includes rice dishes, noodles, snacks, desserts, and plenty of other options. Everything looked pretty good!

However, you can only access the restaurant after checking into the sauna facility. If you choose the one-hour or two-hour course, I personally think spending part of that limited time eating might feel like a waste.

There were also manga and magazines in the relaxation area, although the selection wasn’t particularly large.

If you’re visiting with friends, I think one of the best ways to enjoy DESSE would be to choose the Free Course and simply spend a few hours relaxing, eating, chatting, and going back and forth to the saunas.

②Sauna Goods

There is also a small merchandise area near the reception desk.

You can buy various sauna-related goods here, so it’s worth taking a quick look before leaving.

Final Thoughts

After enjoying all those different saunas at DESSE, I headed to a nearby ramen restaurant called Aji no Tokeidai and had a bowl of Sapporo-style miso ramen. The combination of rich miso soup and corn was delicious!

That’s another advantage of DESSE’s location: since it’s right in Shinsaibashi, there are countless restaurants and shops nearby.

Overall, Osaka Sauna DESSE really felt like a “sauna theme park” to me.

With so many different sauna rooms, I think both beginners and experienced sauna lovers can find something they enjoy.

Minamo Sauna was my personal favorite, while Cha-Shitsu Sauna offers a particularly memorable Japanese-style sauna experience.

If you’re sightseeing around Shinsaibashi, Namba, or Dotonbori and want to experience a modern Japanese sauna, DESSE is definitely worth considering.

Enjoy your sauna!

Fin

鳴山シンゴ / Shingo Naruyama

化学メーカー社員／ブロガー | Chemical Manufacturer Employee / Blogger

XInstagramContact

世界を旅するブロガーを目指す30代化学メーカー社員。趣味（読書、カメラ、サウナ、旅行、バドミントン）やお金・ライフハック関連の記事を投稿しています！ ｜ English ｜ Japan-based blogger working for a chemical manufacturer. I share real experiences and practical tips about travel, saunas, activities, and everyday life in Japan.