Ōban Kaikan Shinjuku

[Much revised in August 2024] This is beginner-friendly information, assuming you already know what this place is like. Only those who understand the meaning of the membership system should take note. It's popping up on Google Maps again. There's no website either. ▼The facility is closed from 10:00 AM Monday to 10:00 AM the following Tuesday. (If Monday falls on a national holiday, it's closed the following day.) ▼There are a lot of "old men," a few "young guys," and a few "old men." ▽Bathing facilities include a washing area (if you choose, it's new), several private showers, a large bathtub (slightly hot), a cold bath, a dry sauna (low 90 degrees), and two steam rooms (40 degrees). ▽It's old, but I think it's well-maintained and well-cleaned. ▼Admission from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM is 2,500 yen for a "resting" stay. You can stay until 11:00 PM. ▽Admission from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning is 3,000 yen for an "overnight stay." You can stay until 5pm. ▽If you're staying for a "rest" period, you can upgrade to an "overnight stay" period for an additional 500 yen. ▼Please bring cash. Cards, IC cards, codes, and everything else is not accepted anywhere in the building. An additional 10 yen fee is required for shoe lockers upon entry. You can exchange money at the ticket machine. ▼Private rooms are available. 1,500 yen from 10:00pm to 10:00am, 900 yen for 2 hours otherwise. Ask reception about available rooms. It feels like simple lodging. ▼There are rest areas on the first and second floors. Smoking is permitted. Not recommended for non-smokers. The second floor is a nuisance for regulars, but if you don't mind, it's fine. ▽There are vending machines (drinks, alcohol, and instant noodles) inside the building. There's no explicit prohibition on bringing in items, but please use common sense. ▼This is the kind of town it is...police will pass by. If you encounter one, that's the end of it. Please cooperate. If there is nothing suspicious, it will be over quickly.

I was drunk when I stopped by a bar and relaxed in the nap area, but bed bugs appeared and bit my arms and legs all over.

I was a little wary after hearing it was a bit of a weird sauna, but I was able to relax. It seems the shoe lockers are the same as the locker numbers. The bath has a retro feel, but there are plenty of individual showers, which is good. However, the amenities are rinse-in shampoo and body soap? and bar soap, but there doesn't seem to be any shaving foam. There's a dry sauna, but it's quite old and the seat felt like it was about to give way... There are two steam saunas, one hot and one warm. Next to the dry sauna is a cool-down space of about 6 tatami mats. It's covered in artificial turf, but be careful as it's slippery! There's a water dispenser, but there are few cups provided and they're used up quickly 🤦 There are napping spaces on the 4th and 6th floors; the 4th floor has spring mattresses? The 6th floor seems to have firmer mats? I was able to relax without any problems, but after doing some research, I heard there might be some shady characters there. It wasn't crowded and the price wasn't surprisingly high, so ★3

Unlike the 20th Hall, they haven't raised their prices, which is considerate.

It's a very good sauna. The price is also cheap.