Funabashi Hot Spot

As you would expect in major cities like Tokyo and its greater regions, it can be fairly challenging to find places to get away from it all and relax. However, one of the best places for a decent unwind around town is at an onsen. These are natural hot springs that pump water from deep below the earth into communal bathing areas. Though a lot of newer onsens have a manufactured feel, they do offer the chance to get away from the madness of the daily grind, giving you time and space to sit back and let the world flow gently by.

In Funabashi, there is such a place: Funabashi Houten no Yu (FHY). It is situated only a short walk from Funabashi Houten station and is a perfect place for alleviating the stresses of urban living.

Fossilized Amphibian Artwork

FHY has a decent selection of baths and has a particularly nice outside area where you can experience many different relaxation spots. I went on Sunday, which was, unsurprisingly, very crowded. Even some of the smaller baths had 7 or 8 people in them. This was OK though as bathers tended to rotate quite regularly. Among the various baths there are some iron spherically-shaped tubs called goemonburo (named after a Robin Hood style outlaw who was boiled to death for his exploits), a roofless flat bath with hot water only covering the surface (great for staring at the sky), a partially roofed two-tiered bath lined with rocks with rusty iron-enriched water, several lie-down jacuzzis with cold pipe headrests, and lots of chairs and benches for kyuukei (taking a rest); actually I often find sitting on one of these the most enjoyable part of the onsen experience - almost like sitting on a deckchair at the seaside! 

Goemon (+ Son) in Pot

If you’re thinking of going to an onsen, and it's your first time, it's good to be aware that you will be, save for small head-covering towel, completely free of clothing. Being a foreigner, you occasionally get “curious” looks. I often catch someone staring at me if I look up suddenly. This is mainly from young kids (genuine curiosity) and some of the older guys. The looks can feel a little charged but you do get positive vibes from time to time. I’ve chatted with other bathers at onsens before – not always the best place for it but nice to know you’re not completely unwelcome. 

Outside (Not FHY, but you get the picture)

After an hour and a half of outside bathing, steam room, jacuzzi, sauna and cold bath, and a good scrub down at your own personal sit down shower, you will feel like you've had a pretty decent session. After your bath, you can visit the restaurant serving reasonable quality food, and you can grab a beer too. I just went for a small bottle of milk for ¥100 from the vending machine in the locker room, which refreshes like nothing else. 

Kyuukei

There are separate male and female resting areas outside the changing rooms, places where you can get a personal massage (a little expensive) or use a massage chair or foot massage (¥100 for 10 minutes), and an area where you can sit and relax and grab a few ice cold glasses of water if you’re waiting for someone. 

The lighting and the music here are very calming and there are simple art works and plants scattered around the place, adding to the peaceful ambiance. From the moment you walk through the door until the moment you leave it is a very relaxing experience. If you go there at certain times you can find it pretty empty (mornings and afternoons on week days are your best bet). I had the place practically all to myself once. Was probably the most relaxed I've ever felt in Japan.

Funabashi Houten no Yu

5 minutes walk from Funabashi Houten (JR) station

船橋法典駅（千葉）

Wiki: http://tinyurl.com/bmjmekz (Japanese)

 Mon-Friday: ¥700 (adults)

 Weekends: ¥750

 http://goo.gl/maps/tGWC