11. Spa Review: EnoSpa (Enoshima)

On a cold, rainy day in January; I was soaking, ocean-side, in a hot spring fed pool. Hawks circled overhead, ocean waves lapped at the rocks below; it was pure heaven.
EnoSpa, on the island of Enoshima, is less than an hour outside of Tokyo, but it feels worlds away. An upscale complex filled with different types of hot spring pools, it is a great 'ladies only' or 'couples' get-away. Some of the pools there are for swimming, others for just soaking. The pools are indoors, outdoors, and a few are even in grotto-like caves opening to the sea. There are saunas and whirlpools. Everything is co-ed and bathing suits are mandatory; except in segregated traditional Japanese style baths connected to the locker rooms.
On the fourth floor is the Beng Teng Spa, a Southeast Asian themed spa on scale with the finest in Tokyo. On the second floor there is a medically-based spa that focuses on anma and shiatsu, Japanese-style massage. They also offer oxygen therapy capsules and medical conditioning therapies. Very little of the spa menus are in English, but the staff speak a little. It should be enough for you to get what you want.

Visiting the spa can be a whole day experience. Between soaking in the pools and spa treatments, I recommend visiting the fourth floor Italian restaurant for lunch. With seats along the window, there are beautiful views of the Shonan coastline. If it is clear, you can even see Mt. Fuji. The restaurant's menu has color pictures and is in English.

When entering EnoSpa, visitors take off their shoes and put them in a locker. The key is removed from the locker (by the way, it slides up to the left, it doesn’t pull straight out) and is taken to the front desk and it becomes a ‘charge card’ for the day. Everything purchased, including the entrance fee, is charged to the wristband. The total is paid when leaving.

At the front desk they will ask if anyone has tattoos or if anyone has been drinking too much alcohol (either will be denied entry). They will also give you a mesh bag containing a small towel, large towel, and a robe. If you hope to get a spa treatment, I recommend going there first to make a reservation (or call ahead of time).
Getting to the EnoSpa is easy, there are three train lines to Enoshima, and it is also possible to go by car. I recommend taking the JR Tokaido Line to Ofuna Station. Change to the Shonan Monorail, ride it to the end, then walk out to the island. Entrance fees are 2,650 for adults, 1,200 for children. Slightly higher on weekends and holidays in July and August. Although children are welcome (except on Sunday), I don't recommend bringing them, as it is a very quiet, relaxed place. The day I visited, not a single visitor was under 20 years old.

For more information, but only in Japanese, check website: http://www.enospa.jp/