Osaka SpaWorld

With a vast repertoire of baths and saunas, a water park, swimming pool, shops and restaurants, Osaka�s Spa World is one of our favourite Japanese theme parks � and it�s like no theme park you�ve ever visited. This is an incredibly fun way to introduce your kids to Japan�s culture of onsen hot spring bathing, whilst at the same time giving them the chance to let off some steam on the slides, rapids and rubber rings of the water park.

It's easy to lose an afternoon or even a day in SpaWorld. It's is not the most stylish or luxurious of places (think 70s theme park rather than a boutique spa), however the huge number of facilities are fantastic. Men and women have a separate floor; one Asian themed and one European which swaps between the sexes each month. On the Asia floor expect Japanese cypress baths indoors and out, an Islamic style hamam, Persian baths and a Bali-esque floral bath. In Europe you'll find Finnish saunas as well as kitschy Roman and Greek style baths. Both sexes come together (swimsuits on now) for the water park at the top of the building complete with rapids, rubber rings and water slides; great for families.

Spa World is open 24 hours, and also has a hotel, gym, restaurants and a beauty salon and massage centre, just in case you were finding it hard to leave!

When to go:

Osaka SpaWorld

located in Osaka

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