＊This article is an English translation of the “湯舞音の袖ヶ浦店を夫婦で実際に行った口コミと評判” article.
On a Sunday morning, we were thinking “We want to go somewhere, but it’s already past 11AM. Is there anywhere close we can go from Chiba City?” Upon searching, we found information about “Yubune”, a brand new super sento (public bathhouse) that opened in January 2021, located just a 1-minute walk from Sodegaura Station. So we decided to check it out as a couple.
The standout feature was that the facilities were immaculately clean! And for us, being unable to drive, the location just 1-minute (actually around 3 minutes?) from the station was incredibly convenient. The natural hot spring baths also felt wonderful. We were both able to really relax and unwind.
Today, as a loving married couple who visited the super sento Yubune in Sodegaura, we’ve compiled our review and impressions, so please read through to the end.
The open-air hot spring baths are amazing!
The natural hot spring open-air baths feel incredibly relaxing. The temperature of these baths is set a little higher, which is perfect for my taste. Although not shown in the photos, the open-air baths also have a large TV installed, so you can soak for a long time without getting bored.
You see tsuboyus (micro baths) at many super sentos (public bathhouses). The elongated shape in the middle feels great. Since only 3 people can fit, it’s difficult to secure a spot.
The nekoromburo (reclining bath) allows the hot water to envelop your whole body, so you can stay in for a long time even in the cold winter. Looking up at the ceiling gives you a view of the sky, which is quite soothing!
The hot spring facilities are excellent. Inside, they have cold baths, a sauna, a bubbling bath, and grooming stations.
These photos are captured from the official website and YouTube channel. Obviously, we couldn’t take bath photos ourselves! Be sure to check out their official YouTube and website below.
◆ Image Sources
Official YouTube Channel
Official Website
The baths are located on the 2nd floor, so you go up the stairs.
After going upstairs and turning right, you’ll see the men’s and women’s baths to the left and right.
There were also 3 massage chairs set up right by the bath entrances.
They have 2 types of lockers, which is convenient!
This is the slim, elongated type. Good for those without much stuff!
This is the square type. I went with this one since I had more belongings.
It has pockets on the side to store things like your mask, phone, and wallet!
You can also purchase juices, coffee, and milk.
Yubune’s Facilities are Immaculately Clean Since Opening in 2021!
First, the biggest highlight of Yubune is how incredibly clean the facilities are. Take a look at these photos.
The relaxation area has display screens showing scenic views of rivers and snowy landscapes. Many people are reading manga here after bathing.
They have an extensive manga collection. There are cushioned areas to lie down all over, perfect for relaxing.
There are also quite a number of relaxation chairs! People are napping, using their phones, or just spending time as they wish here. (Unfortunately, there’s always someone snoring loudly – it’s inevitable at facilities like this.)
They even have a Japanese-style tatami room with beanbag seats! So nice!
Charges Managed by Wristband! Pay All at Once at the End!
The payment system is also smooth, with all charges managed by the “wristband” attached to your shoe locker. You settle the total bill at the very end.
This wristband is used for all payments within the facility!
You scan this wristband to enter through the gate.
Scan your wristband.
After entering through the gate, you select your bathing plan.
Below are the pricing plans quoted from their official website:
| Plan Name | Adult (Middle School & Up) | Child (Ages 3+) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathing Plan | Weekday | 880 yen | 450 yen |
| Holiday | 980円 | 500 yen | |
| Relax Plan （Robe Included） |
Weekday | 1,090 yen | × |
| Holiday | 1,190 yen | × | |
| Stone Spa Plan （Stone Spa Robe, Mat Towel） |
Weekday | 1,330 yen | × |
| Holiday | 1,480 yen | × | |
| Weekday Package Tickets | Bathing Tickets (10 Tickets) | 8,300 yen *50 yen discount per use, +100 yen for holiday use | × |
| Stone Spa Tickets (10 Tickets) | 4,000 yen *50 yen discount per use, +100 yen for holiday use | × |
We went with the 1,190 yen relax plan that includes the robe! Prices may change, so please check their official website. But note towels are not included! We were glad we brought our own towels, otherwise you have to purchase them separately.
Official Website: Price List
I’ll also paste their operating hours from the official website below. As this info can change, please check the link above for the latest:
◆ Operating Hours
| Baths | Natural Hot Spring | 9:00am – 12:00am (Last Entry 11:30pm) |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Spa | 9:00am – 11:30pm (Last Entry 11:00pm) | |
| Dining (No Entry Fee for Dining Only） |
Restaurant | 11:00am – 11:00pm (Last Order 10:00pm) |
| Relaxation （No Entry Fee for Services Only） |
Body Care, Scrubs, Esthetics | 10:00am – 11:00pm (Last Service 10:00pm) |
By the way, since we’re not fans of stone spas, this article doesn’t really cover those facilities in detail.
Spacious Dining Area! Extensive Menu!
The dining area was quite spacious. Despite the facility being crowded, this area seemed rather empty, likely because dining incurs a separate charge. As shown in the photo below, you purchase meal tickets from a touchscreen panel system.
The menu is quite extensive, ranging from set meals to alcoholic drinks and appetizers.
My wife ordered the pork ginger set meal, which was quite delicious. At 1,078 yen, it’s on the pricier side, but that’s a normal price range for facilities like this.
Branded Pork Ginger Set Meal: 1,078 yen
As for me, I ordered the following, opting for healthier options since I try to avoid carbs:
Bottled Beer: 605 yen
Chicken Skin Ponzu: 418 yen
Salted Cucumber: 308 yen
I enjoyed the beer and appetizers too!
We initially took seats in an empty private Japanese-style room, but for some reason it was extremely hot, so we moved to a table seat closer to the entrance.
◆ Private Japanese-Style Room
One great thing about this dining area is that in addition to the entrance, there’s another touchscreen order panel between the table seats and Japanese-style rooms. This makes it easy to place additional orders without having to go to the counter.
◆ Table Seating and Touchscreen Order Panel
So I went ahead and ordered two more glasses of Japanese sake – perfect after a hot bath!
2 Glasses of Japanese Sake: 891 yen
After placing an order, an order number appears on the panel, and they call you to the counter once your food is ready. Very convenient.
◆ Order Number Panel
When ordering via touchscreen, you receive a receipt with the order number. For sake, there were multiple receipts for “Japanese sake”, “chilled sake”, “sake cup”…but the price didn’t change.
By the way, payment is done as a combined bill when leaving the facility, seamlessly tracked via the wristband.
Disappointing Beer Amount from Self-Serve Machine!
This day, my wife and I really took it easy, using the relaxation seats and bathing. As a drinking enthusiast, I just had to have some alcohol after the baths.
So I decided to try the self-serve beer machine below. 500 yen per cup.
Oh, it’s automatically pouring the beer!
Wait, that’s it?! This tiny amount for 500 yen?! That’s way too little! A human pour would give way more! What a rip-off!!
For that price, it seems better to just order beer from the dining area. I was really disappointed by the tiny pours.
Smoking Room
Massages
They had an opening campaign with very affordable rates!
Variety of Items at the Shop!
Huge Parking Lot for Drivers
The parking lot here is shared with places like a supermarket, Revolving Sushi YAMATO, and Pizza-La, so it’s absolutely massive. Tons of cars parked too.
There are also designated accessible parking spots.
For those going by train, be cautious! It’s actually a bit of a walk, about 3 minutes (not 1 minute!). And be careful not to get lost!
For train riders, be careful. There’s a large signboard right in front of Sodegaura Station, but that’s not it. See the map below – it’s actually a bit of a distance away!
We took the JR line and walked from Sodegaura Station.
This photo is from the platform at Sodegaura Station. You can already see the pink “Yubune” signboard. My spouse and I thought,
“It’s right in front of the station! So close!”
We head towards the North Exit.
After going down the stairs…
Oh, there’s the signboard right away! We made a mistake thinking it was here and went up the escalator.
Wait, this is just a private school! Where are the baths?!
You actually have to go around the building. Since the building is quite large, the “1 minute away” claim is probably an exaggeration. It takes around 3 minutes with a brisk pace.
There it is finally! For drivers it’s easy, but for train riders it takes 3-5 minutes from the station. (Still very close though!)
We relaxed so much it turned to night!
We spent over 5 hours bathing, drinking, zoning out, and napping. Before we knew it, night had fallen. Time to head back.
Today’s total bill was 7,030 yen! Quite pricey since we drank alcohol too! Paid the combined bill by credit card.
After checking out, a QR code prints out to exit through the gate.
It had turned completely dark out.
We were very satisfied! I even weighed myself after and didn’t gain any weight. Cutting carbs was the right move!!
Nearby is the Mitsui Outlet Park in Kisarazu
From the same North Exit, there are actually buses that go to the Kisarazu Outlet too. Might be nice to visit the baths after some outlet shopping.
I’ll include a map – this one is centered on Sodegaura Station. Feel free to zoom in if needed, you can see the Kisarazu Outlet location and more.
Also posting some photos of nearby tourist spots.
In Closing
With immaculately clean facilities and a superb location near the station, Yubune is truly a top-notch super sento for anyone living in Chiba City who wants to access by train. The natural hot spring baths are also wonderful. It was quite crowded despite the COVID situation.
For us, on relaxing holidays when we’re free in the afternoons, we’d definitely like to revisit Yubune again sometime soon.
