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If you know anything about Japan, then it probably
involves samurai, bonsai or manga. Let me introduce
you to another one of Japan’s essential and most
relaxing pastimes; the onsen. ‘Onsen’,
or hot springs, are renowned for their relaxation
and therapeutic benefits and it will be rare, dare
I say nonexistent, that you will find a Japanese
person who has not spent some quiet time absorbing
all the goodness onsens have to offer. The therapeutic
benefits, and hence the reason why droves of people
visit these places of relaxation, come from the
extensive range of minerals and natural salts found
in the volcanically heated water. Depending on the
location of the onsen and the surrounding underground
rock formations, a variety of different minerals
that aid the body’s healing can be found.
Onsen can take many forms; from small rock pools
in the wilderness to a super spa built to harness
the properties of the prized water. The focus of
this article is on Utopia Takara, a super spaland
of enormous scope.
Conveniently located 10 minutes from Nagoya
station on the JR line, Utopia Takara is
situated five minutes away from Kasadera Station
JR, allows people from all over Japan to enjoy a
wide variety of baths, games and facilities. Let’s
take a tour of some of the facilities offered.
Arriving at the expansive reception area, customers
first pick up their towels, robe and key card (used
to gain access to lockers and keep a record of expenses).
To the right, one finds a games room filled with
all sorts of the latest arcade machines and UFO
catchers. To the left, there is an open hallway
leading to the baths, restaurants, relaxation areas,
massage clinics and gift shop.
Heading toward the bath area you begin to realize
that this really is a super spa. In fact, you could
probably live here. The bath area itself
has 10 baths and 3 different saunas. With
traditional cypress wooden baths, Chinese medicine
water baths, supersonic wave bubble baths, bedrock
minus ion baths your body will never feel better.
There is even a children’s bath, complete with
slide. If you want to sink into a hot bath while
enjoying natural surroundings, the outdoor Jacuzzi
(contained within a gazebo so you can enjoy the
sound of rain or watch the snow without getting
cold) is the place to relax. To top it off, 3 different
saunas (medium, hot and mist) are offered.
After melting away the stresses of everyday life,
the various restaurants available within
Utopia will become irresistible. There
are over 100 items offered on the menu in Utopia
and the best part about I is that you can eat in
your robe. The selection is immense and due to the
variety of restaurant styles, eating in Utopia will
never become dull.
To let the meal settle, you can wander up
to the second floor where you can enjoy a movie
or take some time out in the fully equipped relaxation
room. A place where it is easy to fall
asleep and pretend you never have to work again.
You will find all the items you need to have an
uninterrupted nap including blankets, pillows and
a reclining bed.
Before heading home (or off to the games section)
you will be able to treat yourself to a session
in one of 6 different massage areas; the closest
thing to feeling reborn. It is almost impossible
to sample everything Utopia has to offer even if
you were to spend the day and night. To offer such
a great range of facilities at such great quality
requires a business philosophy that can attract
people who consider excellence as standard.
Some words from Mr. Takeo Ikuno, the general manager
of Utopia Takara: “Utopia
has been here for 19 years. We have customers here
which are more like family and the reason is because
we offer a service which reduces stress and promotes
health and relaxation. For example, we have a massive
car park so patrons will never have to worry about
find a park or parking on the road. Worry is a stress
producer and stress is the enemy here at Utopia
Takara. Everything you need is provided, and provided
with a smile so your responsibility is to relax,
enjoy and be at peace. I think we have something
very special to offer the foreign nationals living
in or visiting Nagoya. I can only imagine the stress
that living away from your home can cause. Sometimes
this stress is unseen and can only become known
when someone gets homesick or breaks down. My goal
is to make all our visitors lives a little easier;
a little more peaceful. At Utopia we already have
many foreign customers so I hope we can be a ‘home
away from home’.”
Sounds
almost too good to be true but the truth is that
not only does Utopia offer a great place to unwind
and be at peace but it can all be had for a mere
\1,680 for the day AND night!! What’s more, if
you mention you saw Utopia Takara at www.englishtreejapan.com
you will receive a discount and be able to treat
yourself for 24 hours for only \1,260.
For
international visitors, people from out of town
or anyone who wants to really relax, stay at the
Kasadera Washington Hotel (see our business portal
listing for Kasadera Washington Hotel HERE).
It is right next door to Utopia Takara and included
with the price of a room is FREE access to the water
wonderland. There is even direct access from inside
the hotel.
Open
24 hours a day, with 10 different kinds of baths,
a movie theatre with chairs that recline all the
way back, a hair salon, food, games and relaxation,
Utopia Takara has to be seen to be believed.
UTOPIA TAKARA
Open every day 24 hours
TEL 052-611-1126
www.takara-group.co.jp/yutopia
1-9 Maehama dori Minami ku Nagoya
See the map
名古屋市南区前浜通１−９
Some
things to remember:
If you have any tattoos please cover them, especially
while bathing.
Bringing food and drink isn’t allowed.
Admittance won’t be granted for people who are
intoxicated.
Click on the images to enlarge:
Remember,
mention you saw this story at www.englishtreejapan.com
and you get 24 hours for ¥1,260.
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