As it was N's birthday last week and is mine next week (let's not mention the age difference between us, it's tooooo depressing), we got together with some other pals for a day of gossip, pampering and general nudity at Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Odaiba.
While it can only truly be described as the Disneyland of onsens, once you get through the initial gearing up process of payment and yukata robing, and fight your way through the fake Edo food court and omiyage plaza, you do discover an extremely relaxing indoor and outdoor bathing extraveganza.
There is also a full menu of massages, facial treatments and Korean body scrubs. I opted for the latter. Not the most dignifying experience I have to say. Basically they give you a pair of shorts which are then arranged on you sumo-style, lie you prostrate on a plastic table and scrub the living daylights out of you. All in front of other people suffering the same humility, and anyone else who happens to pass by the open door at the time. The resultant baby's butt-like skin however, was totally worth the debasement.
One hint for anyone going to this place for the first time. You can and, in fact, probably should keep your underwear on under your yukata until you reach the bathing area. We didn't and while our modesty was protected at all times, it did feel pretty weird, not to say slightly unhygienic to be wandering about the food court in nothing but a dressing gown.
We managed to kill more than 3 hours in the bath and then headed to the nearby Gonpachi, where E had reserved the table with the view of Rainbow Bridge and where we were joined by another birthday girl, D. E had tipped the waiter that it was a triple B-day situ and out came the sparklers, the cake and 20 staff members to sing the birthday anthem. They also did a bit of Japanese clapping for good measure.
Thanks E.
Happy birthday N and D.
These people are q-ing for a bath. Pet onsen next door.
"Beautiful" post! All of it! Including the links!
I liked the "scrubbing the living daylights out of you" part (you really made me laugh!)...
'til next time
Posted by: spartacus | March 22, 2004 at 08:34 AM
Hey Spart. Thanks and anytime.
Posted by: tokyoredhed | March 22, 2004 at 01:22 PM
hi marie - great website - I'm pennes mum - hope to meet up with you next month.
Posted by: patsy evans | March 22, 2004 at 04:16 PM
Hi Patsy. Thanks and yes, I hope so too.
Posted by: tokyoredhed | March 22, 2004 at 06:04 PM