SURFEEL SPA MAIKO Review: A Unique Sauna Experience in Kobe, Japan

If you’re looking for a unique sauna experience in Kobe, SURFEEL SPA MAIKO is definitely worth considering!

SURFEEL SPA MAIKO is a sauna facility located inside Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa Kobe, a resort hotel near the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
Opened in August 2025, the sauna was produced by Hiroshi Ota, widely known as the “Sauna King” in Japan.

What makes this place special is its collection of unusual sauna facilities, including a sauna room with a loft and a bathtub, extremely cold plunge pools, and a relaxation room designed for complete comfort.

I visited SURFEEL SPA MAIKO myself, and honestly, it felt more like a sauna theme park than an ordinary public bath!

In this article, I’ll introduce the facilities, admission fees, access information, and my personal experience.

I’ll also explain important rules for international visitors, including tattoo restrictions.

Basic Information About SURFEEL SPA MAIKO

First, let’s take a look at some basic information about SURFEEL SPA MAIKO, including its location, access, admission fees, and important rules for visitors.

① What Is SURFEEL SPA MAIKO?

SURFEEL SPA MAIKO is located in the SPA Tower of Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa Kobe, in Hyogo Prefecture. The hotel is situated near the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, one of Kobe’s most famous landmarks, which connects the mainland of Japan to Awaji Island.

The facility was designed under the supervision of Hiroshi Ota, a well-known figure in Japan’s sauna industry. Rather than simply providing a place to sweat, SURFEEL SPA MAIKO offers a variety of creative sauna experiences.

The main sauna area is designed for men, but the hotel also has separate bathing facilities and guest rooms equipped with private saunas.

② Location and Access

SURFEEL SPA MAIKO is located inside Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa Kobe.

１） By Car

Depending on traffic conditions, it takes approximately one hour to drive from JR Osaka Station and around 30 minutes from JR Sannomiya Station.

Parking is available at Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa Kobe, so you can leave your car there during your visit.

２） By Train

The nearest stations are:

• Maiko Station on the JR Kobe Line
• Maiko-koen Station on the Sanyo Electric Railway

From central Kobe, you can take a JR train toward Maiko Station. The hotel is approximately a 10-minute walk from either station.

The hotel is located on a hill, but don’t worry! There’s a dedicated elevator that takes visitors up to the hotel’s main entrance. Simply follow the signs for Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa Kobe and look for the inclined elevator shown in the photos below.

Finding the sauna inside the hotel can be a little confusing. However, once you spot a sign pointing toward the “SPA Tower,” as shown in the photo below, you’re on the right track. Just follow the signs!

While walking along the connecting passageway to the SPA Tower, you’ll be greeted by a spectacular view of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, as shown in the photo below.

Take the elevator at the end of the passageway down to B1, and you’ll arrive at the stylish SURFEEL SPA MAIKO facility.

There’s also a lounge where you can order drinks. A small selection of sauna-related merchandise was available for purchase when I visited.

If you’re visiting Kobe as a tourist, you can also combine your sauna experience with sightseeing around the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
Official website: https://safi-spa.com/maiko/

③ Opening Hours and Admission Fees

The men’s sauna is open from 2:00 PM to midnight.

Admission fees are as follows:

Please note that the large public bath is not included in the regular sauna admission fee. If you want to use both facilities, additional charges apply.

The men’s sauna area has complimentary towels, hair dryers, and toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, and body soap.

Guests staying at Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa Kobe may also be eligible for complimentary access to certain bathing facilities, depending on the service and accommodation plan.

​Check the official website for the latest prices and hotel guest benefits.

Shingo

One small drawback is the opening time. Since the sauna doesn’t open until 2:00 PM, it’s not ideal for people like me who sometimes enjoy visiting saunas earlier in the day.

④ How to Enter the Sauna

Regarding regular day-use admission, visitors can go directly to the reception desk on B1 of the SPA Tower and complete their payment on-site.

Remember that the men’s sauna opens at 2:00 PM, so arriving early doesn’t mean you can enter the sauna area before opening time.

⑤ Are Tattoos Allowed?

Unfortunately, tattoos are not permitted in the men’s sauna at SURFEEL SPA MAIKO. According to the facility’s official rules, guests with tattoos, including temporary tattoo stickers, are not allowed to enter.

This is an important point for international visitors, as tattoo restrictions are still common at public bathing facilities in Japan. If you have tattoos, make sure to check the rules before visiting.

Shingo

For more information about Japanese sauna customs and etiquette, please read my article:

Related article

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

⑥ Can Women Use SURFEEL SPA MAIKO?

The main sauna area at SURFEEL SPA MAIKO is normally reserved for men.

However, the facility occasionally organizes special Ladies’ Days, when women can enjoy the sauna. These events are not part of the regular daily schedule, so check the official website for upcoming dates.

The hotel also offers separate large public baths for men and women, as well as guest rooms with private saunas.

If you’re traveling as a couple or with your family, these may be alternative options worth considering.

Sauna Facilities and My Experience

Now, let’s get to the most exciting part: the sauna itself!

As mentioned earlier, SURFEEL SPA MAIKO was produced by Japan’s famous Sauna King. The facility is full of creative features that I had never seen before.

I found myself constantly looking around and thinking, “Wow, what’s that?” or “How does this work?” It genuinely felt like visiting an amusement park designed for sauna lovers.

I visited on a weekday afternoon, and there were only around six people, including me. It was surprisingly quiet. Perhaps the location inside a hotel makes it a little less accessible than an ordinary public bath or sauna facility.

For me, however, the peaceful atmosphere was a big advantage.

① Sauna Rooms

SURFEEL SPA MAIKO has two main sauna rooms:

１）MIRU MIRU
２）MOKU MOKU

Even their names are unusual!

Before my visit, I had seen some online reviews mentioning that sauna mats were not provided. However, when I visited, mats were properly placed on the benches.

There were also plenty of complimentary face towels available in the sauna area, so there was no need to bring my own. Of course, visitors should use them responsibly!

１）MIRU MIRU – A Sauna with a Loft and Bathtub

Image source: SURFEEL SPA MAIKO Official Website https://safi-spa.com/maiko/saunazone/

MIRU MIRU is probably one of the most unusual sauna rooms I’ve ever visited.

The name comes from two Japanese words and concepts.
The first is “miru,” meaning “to watch,” because the room has a large 65-inch television.
The second comes from the Watermill Goliath sauna heater, which features an automatic löyly system.

The room is spacious, bright, and designed for a more social sauna experience. Conversation is allowed, which is relatively unusual in Japanese saunas where silence is often encouraged.

Inside, you’ll find three levels of benches, two seats where you can stretch out your legs, and even a loft! The room appeared large enough to accommodate approximately 20 people.

And that’s not all. There’s also a bubbling bathtub inside the sauna room, with water at approximately 30°C (86°F).

According to the facility, this combination of a loft and a bubbling bathtub inside a sauna room is the first of its kind in Japan. I was excited the moment I walked inside.

The temperature was approximately 80°C (176°F), which felt relatively mild compared with some other Japanese saunas. If you prefer more intense heat, I recommend sitting on the upper benches or in the loft area.

The facility also holds occasional aufguss events, during which staff or guest sauna masters circulate hot air using towels.

MIRU MIRU is perfect for people who want to relax, watch television, and enjoy a sauna while chatting with friends.

２）MOKU MOKU – A Quiet Sauna for Serious Relaxation

Image source: SURFEEL SPA MAIKO Official Website https://safi-spa.com/maiko/saunazone/

The second sauna room is called MOKU MOKU.

Its name is inspired by two Japanese expressions.
One is “mokuyoku,” meaning bathing quietly without conversation.
The other is “moku moku,” an expression describing steam rising in clouds.

Unlike MIRU MIRU, this room is designed for a peaceful and immersive sauna experience.

It features an EOS ZEUS sauna heater, introduced here as the first installation of its kind in the Kansai region. I was impressed by how stylish and modern the heater looked.

When you enter the room, the heater stands directly in front of you, with benches on both sides. The left side has three levels, while the right side includes an additional fourth level with space for approximately two people. The lighting is dim, and conversation is prohibited.

The temperature felt slightly higher than MIRU MIRU, at approximately 85–90°C (185–194°F). You can also enjoy self-löyly, pouring water over the heated sauna stones to create steam.

With gentle background music and a peaceful atmosphere, this room is ideal for quiet relaxation or meditation. Personally, I preferred MOKU MOKU!

I enjoy saunas where I can relax quietly and focus on the heat, and this room suited me perfectly.

② Cold Baths

The cold baths at SURFEEL SPA MAIKO are almost as impressive as the sauna rooms.

In fact, when I first saw them, I wondered:
“Wait, are the cold baths actually the main attraction here?!”

Image source: SURFEEL SPA MAIKO Official Website https://safi-spa.com/maiko/saunazone/

Two large cold plunge pools sit prominently in the center of the sauna area. Both are approximately 1.37 meters (4.5 feet) deep. Rather than sitting down, you’ll generally be standing in the water.

Interestingly, submerging your head is allowed, provided you thoroughly rinse off your sweat beforehand. This is worth mentioning because putting your head underwater is prohibited at many Japanese public bathing facilities.

１）CROSS COUNTER – An Extremely Cold Plunge Pool

CROSS COUNTER is not for the faint-hearted. The water temperature is below 10°C (50°F).

In Japan, sauna enthusiasts sometimes call this type of extremely cold bath a “single,” referring to its single-digit Celsius temperature.

But the cold water itself is only part of the experience. Pressing a red button activates powerful water jets from multiple directions. On top of that, a huge amount of cold water can pour down from above at a rate of approximately 250 liters per minute!

It’s a pretty outrageous setup.

Naturally, I tried the cold plunge. I lasted about 30 seconds before reaching my limit. As for the waterfall of freezing water from above? I didn’t have the courage to try it.

CROSS COUNTER is slightly smaller than the second cold bath, NAGISA.

２）NAGISA – A Bubbling Cold Bath

The second cold bath is called NAGISA.

Its water temperature is approximately 16°C (61°F), making it considerably more approachable than CROSS COUNTER.

However, this bath also has a special feature. The water constantly bubbles thanks to a jacuzzi-style system. Because the water is moving, it may feel colder than a still pool at the same temperature.

If you prefer a calm cold bath without water currents, you might not enjoy this one as much.

The pool appeared large enough for around four or five adults to stand comfortably.

③ Relaxation Area – Totono-i Station

Image source: SURFEEL SPA MAIKO Official Website https://safi-spa.com/maiko/saunazone/

After enjoying the sauna and cold baths, it’s time to relax.

In Japan, sauna enthusiasts often use the word “totonou” to describe the deeply relaxed, refreshed feeling that can follow a sauna and cold plunge.

SURFEEL SPA MAIKO has a dedicated relaxation room called the “Totono-i Station.” It’s located in a separate room next to the main sauna and cold bath area.

Inside, there are eight reclining chairs made by Lafuma, a long-established French outdoor equipment brand. The chairs are extremely comfortable, allowing you to lie back and relax. Each chair has its own fan, so you can adjust the airflow to your preference. There are also showers near the chairs, making it easy to rinse them before use.

When you look up at the ceiling, you’ll see relaxing images projected overhead. Combined with gentle background sounds, including birdsong, the room creates a peaceful atmosphere.

You can also bring drinks into the relaxation area.

For me, this was an excellent place to unwind after alternating between the sauna and cold baths.

④ Other Facilities and Amenities

There are several other interesting facilities worth mentioning.

１）Shower Booths

There are four shower booths immediately to the right after entering the sauna area. Shampoo, conditioner, and body soap were provided.

The showerheads were made by ReFa, a popular Japanese beauty and wellness brand.

I also noticed another rather futuristic-looking shower booth between MIRU MIRU and MOKU MOKU.

Even the showers seem to have been designed with extra attention to detail!

２）Yu TV – A Footbath with Personal Televisions

Opposite the cold plunge pools, you’ll find a rather unusual footbath area called “Yu TV.”

Image source: SURFEEL SPA MAIKO Official Website https://safi-spa.com/maiko/saunazone/

Here, you can soak your feet in warm water while watching television. There are five seats, each with its own television screen. The water temperature felt like approximately 40°C (104°F).

I tried it myself, and sitting back while enjoying a warm footbath and casually watching TV was surprisingly comfortable. It’s a simple idea, but I really liked it.

３）Additional Relaxation Chairs

There were also several relaxation chairs behind the cold plunge pools.

If the Totono-i Station is full, or if you simply prefer sitting upright rather than reclining, these chairs are another option. I think there were around four chairs, although I can’t remember the exact number. Sorry!

One thing to keep in mind is their location. Since they’re positioned close to the cold baths, you might get splashed by water from the overhead waterfall. Consider it an unexpected bonus cold shower!

Hotel Rooms with Private Saunas

One more interesting feature of SURFEEL SPA MAIKO is its accommodation options.

The SPA Tower of Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa Kobe has guest rooms equipped with private saunas. I didn’t stay in one of these rooms during my visit, but they certainly caught my attention.

Image source: SURFEEL SPA MAIKO Official Website https://safi-spa.com/maiko/sauna-guestroom/

According to the hotel’s information, there are different room types, including:

• Hollywood Twin Room: approximately 38 m² (409 sq ft)
• Queen Room: approximately 47 m² (506 sq ft)

Having your own private sauna inside a hotel room sounds incredibly luxurious. For travelers who want more privacy, or couples who prefer not to use a shared sauna facility, these rooms may be worth considering.

However, check the hotel’s latest room descriptions, booking conditions, and tattoo policies before making a reservation.

Personally, I’d love to stay in one of these rooms someday!

​You can find more details on the official website: https://safi-spa.com/maiko/sauna-guestroom

Final Thoughts: Is SURFEEL SPA MAIKO Worth Visiting?

Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to SURFEEL SPA MAIKO.

The two sauna rooms offer completely different experiences, while the cold plunge pools, footbath, and dedicated relaxation room make the facility feel much more entertaining than an ordinary sauna.

I especially liked MOKU MOKU, with its quiet atmosphere and self-löyly system. On the other hand, MIRU MIRU is an excellent option for visitors who enjoy a more social sauna experience.

The extremely cold CROSS COUNTER plunge pool was also unforgettable, although I certainly didn’t last very long in it!

The admission fee is not particularly cheap, and the fact that the men’s sauna opens only in the afternoon may be inconvenient for some visitors. Still, considering the variety of facilities and the three-hour admission period, I think it’s a worthwhile experience for sauna enthusiasts.

If you’re staying in Kobe or visiting the nearby Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, SURFEEL SPA MAIKO is definitely worth considering.

Just remember that the main sauna is normally for men only and tattoos are not permitted.

Shingo

If you’re looking for more sauna experiences in Kobe, you might also enjoy my reviews below.

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I hope this review helps you plan your next sauna adventure in Japan! Enjoy your sauna experience!

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.