Oedo Onsen - Relaxation Theme Park

 When you think "Theme Park", surely the word "relaxation" doesn't come to mind. I mean, unless you let off steam by sitting in a roller coaster. I respect that too. But of course, if there were such a thing as a theme park based on the idea of having a relaxing time, then you could probably find it in Japan, where there is a word for "death from over-working." It just so happens that the Oedo Onsen indoor theme park offers just that: a sweet escape for people hoping to get away from their routinely stresses. 

Bryan, Ty and I in our yukatas.

 After running a 7 year old boy's birthday party at the job, I was in need of just that, so I headed down with my workmates Ty and Bryan to have a look.
 Upon entering the theme park, each person is given a yukata (traditional Japanese clothing) as well as a bar code bracelet, making it so that people can make transactions without having to carry around a wallet, since the yukata is pocket-less. Wearing the yukata is actually quite comfortable, but it also serves a double purpose - with everyone walking around in traditional Japanese clothes, you do feel like you're taking a trip back in time.

The footbaths.

 The idea of an onsen in Tokyo is actually quite peculiar, given that hot springs are usually found some ways outside of the city. As you would have guessed by the name of the place, having an onsen is actually the main attraction of the theme park. This is made possible by pulling hot spring water from incredible depths. The result is actually quite authentic, even though these hot spring waters lack the natural benefits of some of the other "purer" springs, which are filled with minerals that do wonders for the skin and health in general. The full body baths don't allow for mixed bathing, but there is an exterior section to the theme park that has foot baths. Within those are small rounded stones you're meant to walk on to massage your feet. It's actually horribly painful. If you have a little extra money to spare, you can pay 1700¥ to get your feet suckled by little fish. That's practically the price of admission (2200¥) so we opted not.
 That aside, Oedo Onsen is full of food stalls selling a wide range of food, from ramen to fish on rice, as well as games of the kind you're likely to stumble upon in Japanese matsuri-type fares - catching goldfish with a paper net, pop-gun shooting galleries, etc. It all contributes to the atmosphere and make the place a viable option for a date, despite that the baths are separated like I stated above.

 For those who want to take their relaxation to the next level, the second floor of the indoor theme park is strictly dedicated to reclining chairs with televisions attached. The room is dimly lit. As you would expect, the sounds of people snoring fill the air the moment you enter the room.
 That about summarizes Oedo Onsen, really! I do reckon it's a great place to bring foreigners visiting Japan, or to go on a double-date alongside another couple. Or to just do what I did and go with a few friends of the same gender and let loose.