―― After walking down Waseda-dori towards Takadanobaba Station, we arrived at our final stop: Seikaiyu, a sento located in a residential area along the Kanda River and past the Yamanote Line. This was Enya’s first time visiting the sento, which is situated on the first floor of an apartment building. Her sauna-loving friend recommended the sento, insisting she go at least once.
Upon entering the sento, we are taken aback by its dazzling exterior. Although the sento was last renovated 10 years ago, its pristine presentation would make one thing it had just opened last year.
One standout feature of the bathroom is its tile painting. Sekaiyu means “world hot spring,” and the painting of Iguazu Falls in the men’s area, and that of Matterhorn in the women’s area, befit the sento’s name. But what caught Enya’s attention was the denkiburo (bath with electric current) underneath.
Enya
These jube denkiburo are popular among sento goers. They feature three massage patterns — rub, push, and pat — that release muscle knots. It’s the most pleasurable type of denkiburo.
―― Without further ado, let’s enter the highly anticipated sauna!
Enya
Whoa! A “comfort” sauna!
―― While ordinary saunas have low levels of humidity, Sekaiyu’s “comfort” sauna produces steam to maintain high humidity. When we opened the doors, the pleasant smell of hinoki cypress wafted forth.
But to Enya’s disappointment, only the men’s area has a sauna. The women’s area doesn’t appear to have one.
Enya
What? Men have it better…
―― On the other hand, the women’s dressing room offers natural aromas as an amenity. The sento also features a baby bed, and the entrance to bathrooms have adjustable steps to allow easy access to all visitors. The sento also incorporates new technologies, such as cashless payment methods like PayPay.
Enya
Although it’s disappointing there is no women’s sauna, the interior is splendid and there are nice amenities. These reflect the sento’s consideration for its customers. It’s a very convenient sento for those living in the neighborhood.
When I was in Osaka, I visited a sento that provided masks. I was impressed by this consideration for customers who want to get out of the bath and leave without reapplying makeup. I’d like to incorporate some of these services at Kosugiyu, both in terms of my job and amenities.
Ayabe, owner of Sekaiyu
―― Owner of Sekaiyu, Ayabe Akimitsu, informed us that their customers include seniors and university students from Waseda University and the Takadanobaba area, as well as international students attending Japanese language schools. Other customers include people who wash up after training at the nearby sports gym and martial arts dojo.
―― Ayabe is also involved in various activities to promote sento in Shinjuku. He makes “shop cards” for Shinjuku sento, appears at events, and is the creator of the Shinjuku bathhouse association’s official mascot, “Yugeji.” He is completely devoted to the promotion of sento, distributing stationary to children in order to teach them about the wonderful aspects of sento.
Enya
As someone involved in the sento business, I’ve learned a lot from Ayabe’s activities. I want to support him and his activities to promote sento inspire me. If I were to illustrate Sekaiyu, I would like to focus on the “human” aspect of this sento.
―― In addition to the pleasant bathing facilities, Sekaiyu has another important asset, its owner.
Information
■Sekaiyu
Address: 3-8-31 Takadanobaba Shinjuku-ku
Access: 7-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station (JR Yamanote Line, Seibu Shinjuku Line, and Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
Tel: 03-3371-2409
Hours: 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Days Closed: Thursdays
―― In addition to those already mentioned, there are many unique sento located around Waseda University, including Tsurumaki Yu near the front gate of Waseda Campus and Toyokawa Yokusen located across the Kanda River from Toden Waseda Station.
Enya
I’d like all Waseda students to try sento at least once. Students go through frustrating moments of uncertainty, especially when job-hunting. Students should go to sento when things don’t go planned or when they’re feeling down. The best time to go is when the sun is out.
If you soak in the bath, relax in the sauna, take a cold bath, and then rinse and repeat and hydrate, you’ll feel much better. Your troubles will work themselves out!
Information
■Tsurumakiyu
Address: 533 Tsurumakicho Waseda, Shinjuku-ku
Access: 5-minute walk from Waseda Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
Tel: 03-3203-1834
Hours: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Days Closed: Tuesdays and Saturdays
■Toyokawa Yokusen
Address: 1-13-1 Mejirodai, Bunkyo-ku
Access: 5-minute walk from Waseda Station (Toden Arakawa Line)
Tel: 03-3941-7856
Hours: 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Days Closed: Mondays and Fridays
*Information posted is accurate as of July 2019
