When you live in the city it can be quite a challenge to find a "good" onsen nearby, and so I was elated when I found "Yokohama Minato Mirai Manyo Club", a high-quality and full-service spa facility located right in central Yokohama. In the middle of the hustle and bustle of Sakuragi-cho they have managed to create a relaxing and spacious spa facility reminiscent of those you would find in the Japanese countryside. (Sakuragi-cho is just 30min far from Tokyo.)

Upon entering Manyo Club, one is struck immediately by just how Japanese it is. You arrive there by elevator, but once you are inside, it is as if you have been transported to a more traditional Japan. You are welcomed by kimono-clad staff into a room made of wood and tatami (Japanese floor mats). After removing your shoes, the first order of business is to select your own colorful yukata (Japanese bathrobe). Upon changing into it, your only task is to make yourself comfortable and explore the enormous facility.

The building is nine stories high and each floor is so filled with services and activities designed for your comfort that you might find it difficult to choose what to do first.

Onsen (spa)

The crown jewel of Manyo Club is its bathing facilities and you are not going to want to miss them. Divided into women's and men's facilities, the communal bathing areas are large and well-equipped. Before entering the communal bath you will want to rinse yourself in one of the private shower stations provided. Here you will find everything you need including shampoo, body soap, conditioner, premium bar-soap (mine was charcoal scented), toothbrushes, and razors (for men).

Photo: The open-air bath

After cleaning yourself off, you may enter the gigantic indoor bath (dai-yokujo) or the open-air bath (routen-buro). Both are kept at a temperature hot enough to comfortably warm your muscles but not scald you. However, you may find that the water temperature is a bit warmer than you would set it at home. The open-air bath is a great opportunity to enjoy the scenery, as you have a great view of Yokohama Bay from there. After a bath you may wish to enter the sauna where there is a flat-paneled television, or get a Korean-style massage right inside the bathing facility.

As an added treat, there is one last "bathing facility" on the roof of Manyo Club. Here, like a little river of warm water, is a bath where both men and women can soak their feet while gazing out at the see Landmark Tower and Sakuragi-cho's famous Ferris wheel. It is a great photo opportunity and I'm sure that kids and couples will love it.

Photo: You can see very beautiful night views at night

Restaurants

You are also not going to want to miss taking in a meal at Manyo Club. There are two restaurants on the sixth floor and each of them is suited to different occasions and tastes.
For a family outing, there is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a wide variety of Japanese foods to choose from. On their buffet, they have everything from salad and traditional Japanese dishes to sushi, sashimi, and even desserts. I decided to have my meal here and I was very satisfied with the portions and the taste.

Photo: You can choose whatever you like from a wide variety of Japanese foods.

Another restaurant, "Manyo-an", is a comparatively upscale place where you could comfortably entertain guests or a date. The menu here is also very Japanese with clear attention given to the meal's appearance. Most meals you order will be colorful and pleasing to the eye, while practically overflowing the black, lacquer tray they sit on.
With a full and satisfied stomach, it will be even easier to enjoy the many other activities available.

Massage

Adults are definitely going to enjoy a post-dinner massage. Manyo Club has taken many different styles of massage from around the world and made them all available under one roof. You may choose from shiatsu, Korean massage, Thai massage, British reflexology, and many others.

Personally, I recommend the shiatsu massage. My masseuse was a kind, elderly gentleman who knew his trade well and made me feel at ease. After 40 minutes of having my entire body meticulously pressed by his experienced fingers, any stress or fatigue that I might have had was washed away.

Doctor fish, relaxation space, game center, internet

People visiting Manyo Club with their family will surely want to check out the many side attractions provided. The most interesting of these by far, is an area on the eighth floor where you can have your feet looked after by "Doctor Fish".
True to their name, these Doctor Fish may actually improve the health of your skin. The moment I placed my feet in the warm water bath, the Doctor Fish began to swarm curiously around them. They then proceeded to take little nips at my feet, removing the dead skin from them bit by bit. Although it may seem strange, (and the process does tickle a little bit) it is very enjoyable. I was absolutely enchanted by these cute little fish and I'm sure you will enjoy spending time with them too. Afterward, my feet felt refreshed and tingly!

Photo: You can enjoy "the Doctor Fish" treatment

Overnight facilities

Manyo Club is a terrific place for a day trip, but it is also great for an overnight stay. They have many types of rooms available for overnight guests. There are Japanese-style rooms with tatami floors and futons to sleep on, or if you prefer, they also have western-style rooms with very large beds. Judging by its name, Manyo Club may sound like an exclusive or pricey establishment; however this could not be further from the truth. As you can see, it is a very friendly environment suitable for couples or even a family outing. Furthermore, the pricing was also surprisingly reasonable. Whether for yourself or entertaining foreign guests, a trip to Manyo Club is a real treat and an excellent way to see a more authentic side of Japan. I would recommend it to anyone in need of fun and relaxation.

Reported by: Matthew Huster