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

I recently had some free time to myself, so I decided to visit Kobe Sauna & Spa, one of the most famous sauna facilities in the Kansai region of Japan.

Kobe Sauna & Spa is sometimes described as a “sacred place for sauna lovers” in Japan. It was even featured in Volume 6 of Manga Sado, a popular Japanese manga series about sauna culture by Katsuki Tanaka.

As someone who lives in the Kansai region and loves saunas, I had been interested in visiting this place for quite some time. And finally, I got my chance!

Kobe Sauna & Spa also has a capsule hotel, making it possible to enjoy its sauna and spa facilities at almost any time of day.

In this article, I’ll share my experience at Kobe Sauna & Spa, including its Finnish-style sauna, cold baths, relaxation areas, and other facilities.
Official website: https://www.kobe-sauna.co.jp/

​Note: This review is based on my visit before subsequent facility updates. Some facilities, services, and prices may have changed. Please check the official website for the latest information.

How to Get to Kobe Sauna & Spa

Kobe Sauna & Spa is conveniently located in the Sannomiya area, the main commercial and entertainment district of Kobe. It is within walking distance of several major railway stations.

The facility is located in a lively area north of Sannomiya Station, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops. If you use West Exit 1 of the Kobe Municipal Subway Sannomiya Station, you can reach the facility in approximately one minute.

Another convenient feature is that you can walk through the underground passages around Sannomiya Station for much of the journey. Since Sannomiya is one of the busiest areas in Hyogo Prefecture, it’s great to have such an excellent sauna so close to the station!

Please note that Kobe Sauna & Spa does not have its own parking lot. If you are visiting by car, you will need to use a nearby paid parking lot. Personally, I recommend taking the train because the location is so convenient.

Opening Hours and Admission Fees

Kobe Sauna & Spa offers several admission plans depending on how long you want to stay.

The facility also has a capsule hotel, making it a convenient option for travelers who want to combine accommodation with a sauna experience.

The information below refers to the men’s facilities.
​For the latest admission fees and operating hours, please visit the official website.
Official price information: https://www.kobe-sauna.co.jp/price

①Sauna & Spa Admission

There are several admission options, including a regular stay and shorter discounted courses.

The regular admission plan allowed guests to stay for an extended period, while shorter courses were available for visitors who only wanted to enjoy the sauna for a few hours.

1) Free Time Course

2) Discounted Courses

3) Optional Nap Course

One of the best things about Kobe Sauna & Spa is that you don’t need to bring your own towels or toiletries.

Admission includes access to:
・Towels
・Indoor clothing
・Basic toiletries and amenities 

This makes it easy to visit the facility even if you’re traveling light or decide to stop by unexpectedly. For international travelers exploring Kobe, this is particularly convenient. You can enjoy a proper Japanese sauna experience without carrying extra equipment around the city.

②Capsule Hotel Accommodation

Kobe Sauna & Spa also operates a capsule hotel in the same building.
A capsule hotel is a type of Japanese accommodation where guests sleep in individual compact sleeping spaces rather than conventional hotel rooms. Please refer to the photo below.

Image source:Kobe Sauna & Spa official website https://www.kobe-sauna.co.jp/mens-floor/

The accommodation fee includes access to the sauna and spa facilities. This means you can enjoy the sauna before going to bed or after waking up in the morning. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

Accommodation prices vary depending on the day of the week, season, and local events. If you’re planning to stay overnight, I recommend checking the official website for current prices and availability.

For sauna enthusiasts visiting Kobe, staying at the capsule hotel could be an interesting alternative to a regular hotel.

Tattoos and Sauna Etiquette

①Are Tattoos Allowed at Kobe Sauna & Spa?

Unfortunately, no.
Kobe Sauna & Spa does not allow guests with tattoos to enter the facility.

This includes small tattoos, so please check the facility’s rules before visiting.

②Japanese Sauna Etiquette

Japanese sauna etiquette may be different from what you’re used to in your home country. For example, guests are generally expected to wash their bodies before entering the baths and avoid wearing swimsuits in public bathing areas.

If you’re visiting a Japanese sauna for the first time, I recommend reading my guide below before your visit.

Related article

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

Inside Kobe Sauna & Spa

After walking through the lively streets of Sannomiya, I finally arrived at Kobe Sauna & Spa.

Even the elevator has an interesting atmosphere. Various sauna-related decorations are hanging inside, making the experience exciting before you even enter the main facilities.

The interior of the building is very clean and well maintained.

First, I went to the reception desk on the sixth floor. After receiving an explanation from the staff, I was given a locker key. The locker key has a barcode that can be used to purchase food, drinks, and other services inside the facility. Instead of paying each time, you simply scan the barcode and settle the total bill when you leave.

It’s a convenient system commonly found in large Japanese sauna and spa facilities.

After checking in, I headed to the spacious locker room behind the reception area. There were so many lockers that I couldn’t count them all. It looked like there might be enough for several hundred people!

There was also a business room where guests could use their laptops or do some work. This could be useful for business travelers or anyone who needs to get some work done between sauna sessions.

In the men’s section, the main facilities are divided between two floors:
・7th floor: Sauna, baths, and spa facilities
・8th floor: Relaxation lounge and dining area

Guests are expected to wear the appropriate indoor clothing when moving between certain areas.

Towels, indoor shorts, and other clothing are provided in large quantities on the sixth and seventh floors. Of course, you should use only what you need!

Another charming feature is the presence of small figures called Tonttu throughout the facility. Tonttu are little guardian spirits from Finnish folklore, often associated with saunas. They add a playful atmosphere to the building.
Somehow, they reminded me of characters from a Studio Ghibli movie!

Sauna Facilities

Now, let’s get to the main attraction: the saunas!

When I entered the spa area, I was surprised by how bright, spacious, and open it felt. The interior has an elegant atmosphere that somehow reminded me of a European spa.

During my visit, the facility had four different types of sauna and heated bathing areas:
・Main Sauna
・Finnish-Style Sauna
・Salt Sauna
・Hammam (Heated Stone Bath)

Each offers a different experience.

① Main Sauna

Image source: Kobe Sauna & Spa official website

The Main Sauna is a large sauna room with three levels of benches and a reported capacity of approximately 30 people. The room has large glass windows, making it feel bright and spacious. Everything looked clean and well maintained.

One of the highlights of this sauna is the löyly and aufguss service, which was offered every 30 minutes during my visit.

Löyly refers to the steam produced when water is poured over heated sauna stones. Aufguss is a sauna ritual in which a staff member circulates hot air using a towel.

During the session I experienced, the staff member gently waved a towel toward each guest twice. After that, guests could request additional waves of hot air.
I really enjoyed this service! Most people around me requested approximately two to five additional waves.

The combination of heat, steam, and moving air made the experience especially satisfying. If you’ve never experienced an aufguss session before, I definitely recommend trying one.

② Finnish-Style Sauna

Image source: Kobe Sauna & Spa official website

Next was the sauna I had been looking forward to the most: the Finnish-Style Sauna!

This sauna is designed like a small wooden cabin. Although I haven’t experienced a traditional sauna in Finland yet, the atmosphere felt wonderfully authentic.
The interior is relatively dark, with high humidity and a low ceiling.

I would estimate that it can accommodate around eight people. There are wooden benches and small round wooden stools inside.

There is no television. Instead, you can sit quietly, enjoy the scent of wood, and focus on the sauna experience.

There was also a vihta, a traditional bundle of leafy branches associated with Finnish sauna culture, near the entrance.

One of my favorite features was the self-service löyly. Guests can pour water over the hot sauna stones to generate steam, following the facility’s rules.
The steam gradually fills the room, increasing the humidity and making the heat feel more intense. The low ceiling helps the warm steam surround your body.
I absolutely loved it. When the steam spread through the room, I couldn’t help thinking: “Ahhh, this feels amazing!”

The combination of the wooden interior, gentle lighting, humidity, and self-service löyly was exactly what I wanted from a Finnish-style sauna.

Honestly, this sauna alone made my visit worthwhile!

There was an hourglass inside, but no regular clock. If you want to keep track of your time, you’ll need to pay attention to the hourglass or your own sense of time.

③ Salt Sauna

Kobe Sauna & Spa also had a Salt Sauna.

Image source: Kobe Sauna & Spa official website

In this type of sauna, guests apply salt to their skin while enjoying the warmth. The room had a large pile of salt in the center, surrounded by round stools. There was also a shower area immediately outside where guests could rinse off the salt.

I only looked inside this sauna during my visit, so I can’t give a detailed review of the experience. Still, it looked like an interesting alternative to the hotter sauna rooms.

④ Hammam (Heated Stone Bath)

Another option was the Hammam, a heated relaxation area featuring warm marble surfaces.

Image source: Kobe Sauna & Spa official website

The temperature felt like approximately 40–50°C, although this was only my personal impression. Compared with a conventional hot sauna, the atmosphere was much gentler. The warm marble and water created a comfortable environment where guests could sit and relax.

I think this would be a good option for people who find high-temperature saunas too intense. It’s also a pleasant place to take a break between sauna sessions.

⑤ Cold Baths

Cold baths are an essential part of the Japanese sauna experience.

After warming up in the sauna, many Japanese sauna enthusiasts cool down in a cold-water bath before relaxing in a chair. This cycle of heating, cooling, and resting is often called totonou in Japanese sauna culture.

During my visit, Kobe Sauna & Spa had two cold baths with different water temperatures.

1) Outdoor Cold Bath (11.7°C)

Image source: Kobe Sauna & Spa official website

The outdoor cold bath is one of the most distinctive features of Kobe Sauna & Spa. Its water temperature was set at 11.7°C (53.1°F). That’s quite cold! Many Japanese sauna cold baths are around 15°C (59°F), so the difference is noticeable.

Interestingly, the temperature has a special meaning.
The number 11.7 is intended to commemorate the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which struck the Kobe region on January 17, 1995. The temperature serves as a reminder of this important event in Kobe’s history.

The bath looked large enough for approximately four to six adults.

I’m usually comfortable with cold baths around 15°C, but this one felt significantly colder. At first, the cold water was quite a shock. However, once I got used to it, the sensation became incredibly refreshing! It really wakes you up.

You can also see a Tonttu figure near the bath, adding another little touch of Finnish sauna culture.

2) Indoor Cold Bath (Approximately 23°C)

There was also a smaller cold bath inside, near the jacuzzi area.

The water temperature was approximately 23°C (73.4°F), during my visit. It looked large enough for one or two adults.

A sign indicated that this bath was suitable for beginners.
I agree!

If you’re new to Japanese sauna culture or don’t enjoy extremely cold water, this is a much more approachable option. Experienced sauna enthusiasts might find it a little too warm, though!

⑥ Relaxation Area

After enjoying the sauna and cold baths, it’s time for one of the most important parts of the Japanese sauna experience: relaxation.

In Japan, many sauna enthusiasts refer to this as totonou, a deeply relaxed feeling that can occur after alternating between heat, cold water, and rest. Kobe Sauna & Spa provides several places where guests can sit and cool down.

During my visit, I counted approximately:
・Eight wooden chairs in the outdoor area
・Four chairs in the indoor area
・A bench near the Finnish-Style Sauna that could seat around five or six people

The wooden chairs outside were particularly comfortable. Their reclining angle felt just right for relaxing after a cold bath.

Although Kobe Sauna & Spa is located in the middle of busy Sannomiya, the outdoor area feels surprisingly peaceful. There is greenery, and a pleasant breeze flows through the space. It’s hard to believe you’re right in the center of the city!

Sometimes, staff members even wave towels toward guests sitting in the relaxation chairs. The gentle breeze feels wonderful after a sauna session.
What a great service!

After thoroughly enjoying the sauna and spa, I returned to the changing and grooming area. There were plenty of amenities available, including skin lotion, hair wax, and hair spray. You really can visit without bringing much of anything.

Dining and Lounge Area

After finishing my sauna session, I went up to the eighth floor.

This floor has a spacious relaxation lounge and dining area. There are several types of seating, including reclining chairs with individual televisions and regular chairs. The lounge is large enough for guests to relax comfortably after spending time in the sauna.

Food and alcoholic beverages are also available. In Japan, enjoying a meal after a sauna session is commonly called sa-meshi, short for “sauna meshi,” meaning sauna food. It’s a popular part of Japanese sauna culture.

You can relax, enjoy a meal, and take your time before returning to the sauna.

Cold drinking water is available free of charge, and there were also books and magazines about saunas. For someone who loves saunas, this is a wonderful environment.

And if you feel like having another sauna session, you can simply head back down to the seventh floor!

At the back of the eighth floor, there was also a paid relaxation area called the Superior Room. At the time of my visit, it cost an additional ¥600, required a reservation, and included one drink. If you’re planning to spend several hours at the facility, this could be another option worth considering.

Private Sauna: Kobe Sauna & Spa Plus

Kobe Sauna & Spa also offers private sauna facilities in the same building.
This service is called Kobe Sauna & Spa Plus.
Official website: https://www.kobe-sauna.co.jp/private

According to the information available when I wrote my original review, there were two private sauna rooms:
①Room A: Up to four guests
②Room B: Up to eight guests

Unlike the men’s public sauna facilities reviewed above, the private sauna could be used by mixed-gender groups. That makes it an interesting option for couples, families, or groups of friends who want to enjoy a sauna together.

For international visitors traveling with a partner, a private sauna might be particularly appealing.

I haven’t tried Kobe Sauna & Spa Plus myself yet, but I’d like to visit someday!

Please check the official website for the latest information about room capacity, pricing, reservations, and usage rules.

Final Thoughts: Is Kobe Sauna & Spa Worth Visiting?

After experiencing Kobe Sauna & Spa, I can understand why it is so popular among Japanese sauna enthusiasts.

The facility offers a wide range of sauna experiences, including a spacious Main Sauna, a traditional-style Finnish Sauna, and cold baths with different temperatures. The outdoor relaxation area is also excellent, especially considering that the facility is located in the center of Kobe.

But my personal favorite was definitely the Finnish-Style Sauna. The wooden cabin atmosphere, high humidity, and self-service löyly made it an unforgettable experience. I would happily visit again just for that sauna!

The convenient location near Sannomiya Station, generous amenities, dining facilities, and capsule hotel make Kobe Sauna & Spa a great option for travelers as well.

If you enjoy saunas and are planning to visit Kobe, I highly recommend considering this place.

I’ll definitely be back for another Finnish-style sauna session!

That’s all for my review of Kobe Sauna & Spa.

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.