Kobe Harborland Manyo Club Review: Sauna, Onsen & Relaxation in Kobe

I wasn’t particularly looking forward to another Monday after the weekend. Since I still had some paid leave left before the end of the fiscal year, I decided to take a day off and visit a sauna!

This time, I visited Kobe Harborland Manyo Club, a large onsen and sauna complex near JR Kobe Station.

I had known about this facility long before I became interested in saunas, but somehow I had never had the chance to visit.

And I’m glad I finally did. It was a wonderful place to relax!

In this article, I’ll share my experience at Kobe Harborland Manyo Club, including its saunas, cold bath, relaxation areas, admission fees, and other facilities.

Shingo

Eating ramen, drinking beer, and visiting a sauna on a weekday afternoon. I’m really starting to enjoy this middle-aged lifestyle!

About Kobe Harborland Manyo Club

Before getting into my sauna experience, let me introduce some basic information about Kobe Harborland Manyo Club.

① What Is Kobe Harborland Manyo Club?

Manyo Club is a Japanese chain of onsen and relaxation facilities based on the concept of an “urban hot spring resort.”

The company operates facilities in several regions of Japan, offering visitors a chance to enjoy hot springs, saunas, restaurants, relaxation areas, and even overnight accommodation.

For more information about the group, visit its official website:
https://www.manyo.co.jp

Kobe Harborland Manyo Club opened in 2010. It is located inside Promena Kobe, a commercial building in the Harborland area of Kobe.

What surprised me was its enormous size. The facility occupies multiple floors of the building, with everything from bathing areas to restaurants and relaxation spaces. It’s much more than just a public bath!

Image source: Kobe Harborland Manyo Club official website　https://www.manyo.co.jp/kobe/eng/property-map/

​You can also find more information on the facility’s official website:
https://www.manyo.co.jp/kobe/eng

② How to Get There

Kobe Harborland Manyo Club is conveniently located near JR Kobe Station.

The reception desk is on the 9th floor of Promena Kobe, so take the elevator up after entering the building.

１）By train

The facility is within walking distance of several railway stations:

• JR Kobe Station: Approximately 5–7 minutes on foot
• Harborland Station (Kobe Municipal Subway Kaigan Line): Approximately 5–7 minutes on foot
• Kosoku-Kobe Station (Hanshin/Hankyu lines): Approximately 7–10 minutes on foot

One convenient feature is that you can reach Promena Kobe through underground passages from the station area. This is particularly useful on rainy days!

There is also a free shuttle bus connecting the facility with the Sannomiya area. If you are staying near Sannomiya Station, the shuttle bus may be a convenient option. Check the latest timetable before your visit.

２) By car

If you are driving, the approximate travel times are:

• From central Osaka: Around 40 minutes using the expressway
• From Sannomiya: Around 10 minutes

Travel times depend on traffic conditions.

Visitors can use the affiliated Harbor Park parking lot. The parking fee is ¥770 for up to 24 hours for eligible Manyo Club visitors.

Please note that the discounted parking rate does not apply to the 60-minute bathing plan.

For detailed directions and transportation information, check the official website:
https://www.manyo.co.jp/kobe/eng/access/

③ Admission Fees and Opening Hours

Kobe Harborland Manyo Club is open 24 hours a day, although individual facilities have their own operating hours.

The standard admission plan is called the Marutoku Set Admission Plan. It includes access to the baths and saunas, rental towels, indoor clothing, basic amenities, and several relaxation facilities.

For the latest prices and details, please visit the official website:
https://www.manyo.co.jp/kobe/eng/fee-schedule/

１）Standard admission fees

​An additional bathing tax of ¥75 applies to adults.

The standard admission plan allows visitors to stay from 5:00 AM until 3:00 AM the following day. If you stay beyond 3:00 AM, an additional late-night fee applies.

Facilities included in the admission fee

• Large public baths and saunas
• Relaxation rooms
• Rooftop observation footbath garden
• Manga reading area
• Movie theater

I think this is a great selection of facilities for the admission price!

Another advantage is the wide range of complimentary amenities.
These include:

• Shampoo, conditioner, and body soap
• Facial cleanser, makeup remover, and skincare products
• Face towels and bath towels
• Hair dryers
• Sauna hats

Yes, sauna hats! I found a large number of sauna hats available near the sauna entrance. This was actually the first sauna facility I had visited where sauna hats were available to use for free.

You can visit without bringing your own bathing supplies, which is especially convenient for international travelers.

２）Overnight accommodation

Kobe Harborland Manyo Club also offers overnight accommodation.

According to the official website, weekday accommodation starts from approximately ¥10,500 per person when two guests share a room, including breakfast.

The accommodation package includes standard admission and the late-night fee. That means you can enjoy the onsen and saunas during your stay! I really like the idea of staying overnight at a facility where I can enjoy a sauna whenever I want.

３）Private facilities

Kobe Harborland Manyo Club also offers private facilities for families and small groups at an additional cost.

◆Private Banquet Rooms

• Capacity: 2–4 people
• Room fee: From ¥2,090 for 2 hours
• Reservations: Available up to 6 months in advance

Prices vary depending on the room type. The admission fee is charged separately.

◆Private Family Baths

• Room fee: ¥2,860 for 1 hour
• Opening hours: 24 hours a day
• Usage time: Each one-hour session begins on the hour (e.g., 1:00 PM–2:00 PM)

The admission fee is charged separately.

Private family baths are a convenient option for visitors who prefer bathing in a private space rather than sharing a public bath with other guests.

４）Ganbanyoku (Hot Stone Spa)

Ganbanyoku is a Japanese-style hot stone spa where visitors lie on heated stones to warm their bodies and sweat. It is different from a traditional sauna and is popular at Japanese spa facilities.

At Kobe Harborland Manyo Club, ganbanyoku costs an additional ¥1,200.
Operating hours are 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM.

④ Can People with Tattoos Enter?

If you have tattoos, be sure to check the facility’s admission policy before visiting.

According to the official website, Kobe Harborland Manyo Club generally restricts admission for visitors with tattoos, tattoo stickers, or body paint.

However, visitors may be allowed to enter if they comply with the facility’s specific rules.

The exact conditions are not fully explained on the official website, so I recommend contacting the facility directly before your visit.

Do not assume that small tattoos or tattoos covered with stickers will automatically be accepted. You can check the official policy in advance.

シンゴ

Tattoo restrictions are still common at public baths and onsen facilities in Japan.

If you are unfamiliar with Japanese bathing customs, I also recommend reading my guide:

Related article

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

My Sauna Experience at Kobe Harborland Manyo Club

Now, let’s get to the main topic: the sauna review!

The saunas are located in the large public bathing area on the 11th floor. They are included in the standard admission fee, so there is no additional charge.

One thing I noticed was that there were limited places to keep drinks and personal belongings inside the bathing area.

There were vending machines in the changing room and a drinking water station near the high-temperature sauna.

However, I couldn’t find dedicated shelves for personal belongings near the baths, apart from a small place for glasses. If you bring personal items into the bathing area, make sure they do not get in anyone’s way.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the saunas!

① High-Temperature Sauna

The men’s bathing area has two types of saunas. The first is the high-temperature sauna.

The room has five levels of benches and can accommodate approximately 20 people. There is also a large television inside, making it a good choice for people who enjoy watching TV while using a sauna.

Personally, I also enjoy quiet, meditation-style saunas. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a completely quiet sauna room during my visit, which was a little disappointing.

The temperature was approximately 85°C (185°F). Although visitors cannot perform self-löyly (pouring water onto sauna stones themselves), the sauna features an automatic löyly system.

The automatic löyly session takes place at the beginning of each hour. And let me tell you, it was incredibly hot!

I experienced it myself, and it was probably the hottest sauna session I had ever had. I was sitting on the second-highest bench when the automatic löyly started. But the heat became so intense that I couldn’t take it anymore. I actually had to escape to a lower bench!

If you love extremely hot saunas, I highly recommend timing your visit to experience the automatic löyly.

Complimentary sauna hats were also available during my visit.

② Nano Mist Sauna

The second sauna is the Nano Mist Sauna.
The temperature is approximately 50°C (122°F), much lower than the high-temperature sauna.

However, as the name suggests, the room is filled with fine mist and has very high humidity. Despite the lower temperature, you can still work up a good sweat. I would recommend this sauna to people who dislike extremely hot or dry sauna rooms.

There is a television directly in front of the entrance, with benches along both sides of the room. I would estimate that it can accommodate around 8–10 people.

During my visit, I used this sauna for approximately 10 minutes as my fifth sauna session of the day. I was able to sweat comfortably without feeling overwhelmed by the heat.

③ Cold Bath

After leaving either sauna, you’ll find the cold bath directly in front of you. The bath is relatively spacious and can accommodate approximately 4–6 adults.

However, it is not particularly deep, so you will probably need to sit on the bottom of the bath.

The water temperature was around 18°C (64°F) during my visit. This is slightly warmer than the cold baths I personally prefer. I usually like cold baths at around 16°C (61°F), so I found this one a little less refreshing than I had hoped.

On the other hand, it is a good option for people who are not comfortable with extremely cold water. If you prefer to take your time in a cold bath rather than jumping into freezing water, you may enjoy this one.

④ Relaxation Area

After the sauna and cold bath, it’s time for one of my favorite parts of the sauna experience: relaxing!

In Japan, sauna enthusiasts often call this feeling totonou, a pleasant state of deep relaxation after alternating between heat, cold water, and rest.

The relaxation area at Kobe Harborland Manyo Club is bright and comfortable.

Although the area looks like an outdoor space in photographs, it is actually indoors. That means there is no natural breeze or rain. If you love outdoor relaxation areas with plenty of fresh air, you might find this a little disappointing.

Personally, however, I prefer relaxation spaces that aren’t too windy or cold. So I actually liked this area quite a lot!

There were approximately 10 chairs available during my visit. My only complaint was that I would have preferred reclining chairs, such as infinity chairs. That would have made the experience even better!

Also, since the number of chairs is limited, they may all be occupied during busy periods such as weekends.

Other Facilities and Activities

One of the biggest attractions of Kobe Harborland Manyo Club is the wide variety of facilities available beyond the saunas and hot springs.

You could easily spend an entire day here!

① Free Facilities Included with Admission

As mentioned earlier, several relaxation and entertainment facilities are included in the standard admission fee.

These include:

• Relaxation rooms
• Rooftop observation footbath garden
• Manga reading area
• Movie theater

The manga reading area reportedly has an enormous collection of approximately 50,000 manga volumes. There is even a movie theater inside the building!

You can also find entertainment facilities such as a children’s play area and an arcade.

On the rooftop, there is an observation footbath garden offering views over Kobe. It’s a wonderful place to relax while enjoying the city scenery.

Free Wi-Fi is also available. You could bring your laptop and do some work, relax with your smartphone, or simply spend a few hours reading manga.

With so many facilities available, I think both adults and children can enjoy spending time here.

② Restaurants, Massage Services and More

In addition to the facilities included in the admission fee, Kobe Harborland Manyo Club offers a variety of paid services.

These include:

• Ganbanyoku (hot stone spa)
• Restaurants and dining areas
• Massage and body care services
• Private family baths
• Overnight accommodation

The facility also seems to put considerable effort into its dining options.

In Japan, sauna enthusiasts sometimes use the word sa-meshi to describe a satisfying meal enjoyed after a sauna session. After sweating in a hot sauna, a delicious meal can taste even better!

Unfortunately, I had already eaten ramen outside the facility before my visit. So I didn’t try the restaurant this time. Next time, I’d like to spend more time relaxing here and enjoy a proper meal inside the facility.

Final Thoughts: Is Kobe Harborland Manyo Club Worth Visiting?

Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to Kobe Harborland Manyo Club!

The high-temperature sauna was especially memorable because of its incredibly powerful automatic löyly.

I also appreciated the comfortable relaxation area, complimentary amenities, and variety of entertainment facilities.

Although I personally would have preferred a slightly colder cold bath and some reclining chairs, these were relatively minor complaints.

What impressed me most was the sheer size of the facility and the number of things visitors could enjoy. It’s not just a sauna or an onsen. It’s a complete relaxation complex where you can spend several hours—or even stay overnight.

For international visitors exploring Kobe, I think this could be a great place to relax after a long day of sightseeing.

Just remember to check the tattoo policy before visiting if you have tattoos.

If you’re interested in Japanese saunas, you may also enjoy my review of another famous sauna facility in Kobe:

Related article

Kobe Sauna & Spa Review: A Famous Finnish-Style Sauna in Japan

And if you’re looking for more things to do in Kobe, check out my other travel experiences:

Nunobiki Falls Kobe Hike: A Beautiful Waterfall Near Shin-Kobe Station

Related article

Nunobiki Falls Kobe: An Easy Hike from Shin-Kobe Station

Thanks for reading! I hope this article helps you plan your visit to Kobe Harborland Manyo Club.

Fin

鳴山シンゴ / Shingo Naruyama

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

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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.