TOTOPA Toritsu Meiji Park Branch
[An urban sauna that embraces diversity]
This is my 427th new facility exploration.
December 25, 2024. The second stop on my Tokyo sauna trip. This is a flagship facility that won first place in Sauna-shuran 2024. It's also great that it's located in the Jingu area, where there are few saunas.
A 10-minute walk from JR Sendagaya Station, the building stands in a stylish plaza. The third floor is the men's floor. I registered as a member via LINE, which is trendy these days, and entered. At 3,278 yen for 2 hours, it's quite pricey. The amenities are from a brand with a nice scent, and small towels are available for unlimited use.
(The following is out of 5 stars: these are my personal impressions)
Sauna ★★★★ There are 3 sauna rooms. On the left is a sauna with auto-löyly, in the middle is a sauna where conversation is allowed and self-löyly is possible, and on the right is a sauna with auto-löyly.
The one on the left is blue-themed with a capacity of 12 people, and self-löyly is also possible. The temperature is decent, but the acoustics are a bit noisy. The one on the right is red-themed with a capacity of 8 people, designed with lower seating. Self-löyly is also possible here.
In all the sauna rooms, the humidity felt low and lacked a sharp contrast. However, it was a wise decision to provide a separate room in the center to meet the needs of those who want to talk.
Cold Bath ★★★★★ There are two cold baths: a deep one you can stand in and a regular one. The deep cold bath has a capacity of 4 people, a water temperature of 12°C, and allows you to cool your whole body thoroughly. In addition, it has an entrance and an exit, making the flow of people clear and smooth, which is easy to use. The other is a shallower cold bath. I feel like they could have been more creative with this one, such as by adding bubbles.
Relaxation Space ★★★★★ There are over 20 infinity chairs and nearly 10 other chairs. The number is sufficient, and about 8 of the infinity chairs are placed in a no-conversation zone. It's good that people who want to talk and those who don't can use the space separately with peace of mind.
However, given the layout of the sauna rooms, I wonder if it would be better to enclose the people who want to talk a bit more. The water server and all-you-can-drink soft drinks are a nice touch.
Rest Area: Not provided, so not rated.
Sauna Meal: Not provided, so not rated.
Overall Rating ★★★★★ It gives the impression of a modern urban sauna that tries to achieve coexistence through its design, from young people who want to chat to sauna enthusiasts who want to relax calmly. However, due to the lack of punch in the sauna rooms, the distance from the station, and the corresponding price setting, I'd say the rating is barely 5 stars.
This time, I went first thing in the morning, so it was empty and comfortable, but I'm curious to see what it's like when it's crowded. There is room for flexibility in the construction, so it seems to have potential for growth, and I look forward to its future evolution.