While we can’t get traditional Japanese bathhouses like the ones you can visit in Japan, it doesn’t mean you can get a Japanese massage here in Singapore. In fact, there’s a number of spa centres in Singapore that can offer authentic Japanese spa experience.
Make a visit to these Japanese spas, and you’ll be instantly teleported to Kyoto ryokans, Hakone onsens, and even the peaceful sanctum of Mount Koya – no passports required. But you may be wondering, what actually makes a Japanese massage in Singapore?
What makes a Japanese massage in Singapore?
Well, since it’s near impossible to construct a traditional Japanese bathhouse here (it’s not like we have natural hot spring anywhere on the island), the closest alternative we can get in Singapore is a spa centre that mimics a traditional Japanese spa as close as possible.
Lucky for us, there’s actually one and it comes in the form of Ikeda Spa. We’re also blessed with plenty of spa centres that are equipped with onsen baths, so you can have a nice soak while letting your skin reap in all the amazing benefits that onsens are touted to provide.
So, if you’re looking for some Japanese-style R&R, check out our round-up of utterly blissful spas in Singapore where you can get a Japanese massage right here on this sunny island.
The top 9 places to go for a Japanese massage in Singapore
Japanese massage Singapore: Ikeda Spa (A zen hideaway that doesn’t break the bank)
A five-star sanctuary nestled among lush greenery in Bukit Timah, Ikeda Spa is the most ideal place to go to when you want to have a Japanese massage in Singapore. Here, you can experience ryokan (traditional Japanese spa) and a variety of massages to have your stress and worries melted away.
An ultra-zen paradise which is loved by local and international celebrities (including Singapore-based Hong Kong actress Charlie Yeung), the award-winning luxury spa is touted by many spa aficionados as the place to enjoy an authentic Japanese ryokan experience without having to travel to Japan – we reckon it’s the best alternative out there now that travelling is on hold indefinitely!
Try the Hinoki Onsen Bath and Elemental Aromatherapy Massage combo: start with a 30-minute hot bath soak in an onsen that’s made of real hinoki, Japan’s most prized cypress wood, to replicate the natural hot spring water. When in use, this precious wood actually releases mineral oils with soothing scents and antibacterial properties to calm, uplift, and even alleviate mild respiratory problems.
You can choose from five different bath salt choices inspired by scenic onsen spots in Japan to suit your aromatherapy or health needs: Ryujin (skin nourishing and rejuvenating), Ureshino (skin smoothening), Noboribetsu (mind and body relaxation), Yamashiro (relieve fatigue), and Tsuta (promote better blood circulation).
After a relaxing soak, adjourn to the treatment room for a 90-minute body massage which features a fusion of Eastern and Western massage techniques with high-quality plant oils to heal and re-balance the mind, body, and spirit.
As hinted in the name, the highly-rated Japanese massage is firmly rooted in the Five Elements theory of traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, in which elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water are used to help diagnose conflicting symptoms within your body and mind. It is believed that these five elements, together with the laws of yin and yang, will help the body to restore inner harmony achieve better health.
Hinoki Onsen Bath is priced at S$80 for a 30-minute session while Elemental Aromatherapy Massage is priced at S$190 (60 minutes) and S$230 (90 minutes) – book online here.
Address: 787 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269762
Contact: 6469 8080
Operating hours: 1.30pm – 10.30pm (Mon to Sun)
Japanese massage Singapore: Elements Wellness (Best deal alert!)
Looking for a Japanese massage to spend some quality time with your plus one? Then you won’t want to pass up on this Couple Koyamaki Onsen Therapy & Massage at Elements Wellness.
With an onsen nestled in a private room, you can escape the bustling city for some Japanese-style tranquillity without having to fly to the oriental country itself! After the anti-ageing and stress-relieving Koyamaki (or Japanese umbrella pine) Onsen Therapy, enjoy some downtime together with an Ocha Body Massage, as well as a 15-minute Back Polish.
The Couple Koyamaki Onsen Therapy & Massage is now available for only S$248 instead of S$594.92 on Salon Finder – that’s a whopping 75% discount!
Address: 176 Orchard Road, The Centrepoint, #02-28, Singapore 238843
Contact: 6737 8488, 9357 8183 (click on the number to send a WhatsApp message)
Operating hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Fri) | 10.30am – 8pm (Sat & Sun)
Elements Wellness’ Couple Koyamaki Onsen Therapy, Ocha Massage, and Back Scrub are already fully booked until February 2022. Mark your calendars and set your alarms for 1 March 2022 to have a chance at enjoying these popular spa services this year!
Japanese massage Singapore: Queen’s Market
While there isn’t an onsen bath here, this cosy Japanese salon is popular for its signature anti-ageing body wrap treatment. Known as the Royal Herb Detox Wrap, it utilises various minerals and herbs like Japanese ginger for slimming benefits.
In addition to that, the salon – which is run by a Japanese expat – also offers facial, manicure, pedicure, eyelash extensions, and other body massages. That makes Queen’s Market an ideal one-stop beauty destination where you can get all your grooming needs and also some R&R in one place.
Here, you can enjoy a Deep Tissue Body Massage from S$150 for 60 minutes – book via Salon Finder for easy convenience!
Address: 81B Tanjong Pagar Road, Level 3, Singapore 088502
Contact: 6329 1166, 9858 6458 (click on the number to send a WhatsApp message)
Operating hours: 10am – 8pm (Mon to Sun)
Japanese massage Singapore: Antioxidant Wellness
For a Japanese massage that comes with a well of benefits here in Singapore, look no further than Antioxidant Wellness. Especially ideal for those looking for a good rest, this spa centre is where you can spend an hour reposing on the ganbanyoku, a special Japanese hot stone bed.
Besides activating perspiration, the ganbanyoku releases Far Infrared Rays (FIR) and negative ions that are believed to heal, soothe, and detoxify the body while treating chronic fatigue, water retention, and skin problems in the long run.
Try the Ganbanyoku Hot Stone Therapy, where you’ll change into a yukata before making your way to the Antioxidant Room with a bottle of antioxidant-infused water, and luxuriate on one of the special spa beds for a full hour.
After your therapy, you’ll be treated to two small glasses of enzyme juices (they come in three flavours for you to choose from) before you pop in the bathroom for a shower. The natural vegetable and fruit juices are said to replenish your body and round up your healing journey.
The 60-minute Ganbanyoku Hot Stone Therapy is priced at S$59 per session. Shareable packages consisting of multiple sessions are also available.
Address: 1 Thomson Ridge, Singapore 574633
Contact: 6756 0636, 8522 7868
Operating hours: 9am – 10pm (Mon to Sun)
Japanese massage Singapore: Yunomori Onsen & Spa
Want an authentic Japanese massage experience in Singapore? Yunomori Onsen & Spa is for you. At the largest onsen spa in Singapore, you can drop by for an onsen-hopping day as this tranquil healing oasis features a whopping 11 aquatic therapy pools over a sprawling area of 16,000 square feet.
Dip in a Soda Bath that’s pumped with carbon dioxide to enhance detoxification or indulge in a Silk Bath enriched with sensuous hydrogen micro-bubbles to relax muscles and send stress packing. There’s also a Jet Bath to prompt better blood circulation, and a Cold Bath to tighten pores.
A general tip to keep in mind when enjoying onsen is to alternate between the hot and cold baths – this will help you detox and decompress. And since you’re already there, definitely consider capping off your treatment with any of the massage offerings on the menu.
After your day at Yunomori Onsen & Spa, we guarantee you’ll enjoy the most restful sleep you’ve had in months.
A day pass for all-day access to all bath variations costs S$40.66 (inclusive of GST). This fee includes amenities and access to the spa’s relaxing lounge area. There are also onsen and spa packages available on the menu. Sign up to be a member and you can enjoy one-for-one onsen entry from 7pm to 10pm on Mondays through Thursdays.
Address: 1 Stadium Place, Kallang Wave Mall, #02-17/18, Singapore 397628
Contact: 6386 4126, 6385 7985 or email [email protected]
Operating hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon to Sun)
Japanese massage Singapore: Erabelle Prestige
When a salon therapist dressed in kimono greets you at the door, you know you’re in for an immersive Japanese experience because that’s what you’ll get when you visit Erabelle.
And at the Prestige outlet in the VisionCrest Commercial building located in Orchard, you will even get to enjoy your treatment in a tatami room (pre-booking required for this special room). That’s because the Erabelle Prestige outlet here is fully inspired by Japanese culture, featuring beautiful oriental accents such as a Shoji sliding door, cherry blossom motifs, and framed lacquered wares.
Book the Genmai-Bijin Polisher Plus, a body treatment that’s power-packed with enzymes and antioxidants to help soften your skin and deliver powerful anti-ageing benefits.
The therapist starts by massaging your skin with a freshly blended warm paste of genmai (brown rice) exfoliant, warm milk, and a concentrated ampoule to slough away dead cells, flush out toxins, soothe sore muscles, and reveal smooth, radiant, and flawless skin.
After a quick shower, you’ll get a spritz of therapeutic skin tonic mist to replenish and revitalise the skin.
The 90-minute Genmai-Bijin Polisher Plus is priced at $192.60.
Address: 103 Penang Road, VisionCrest Commercial, #01-06/07, Singapore 238467
Contact: 6836 8388, 9199 5267 (click on the number to send a WhatsApp message)
Operating hours: 11am – 9.30pm (Mon to Sun)
Japanese massage Singapore: Nimble/Knead
If work has been driving you up the wall, take a short break and enjoy a spa day in a shipping container. Yes, you heard us right – Nimble/Knead is an ultra-cool spa spot that’s nestled in a repurposed shipping container parked in the quaint Tiong Bahru area.
There’s a ton of facial and body spa in its line-up but for a Japanese massage with a twist, we reckon you’ll like the Thai-Japanese fusion massage called A Thousand Smiles in the Rising Sun.
With this treatment, you’ll get a combination of ancient Thai massage and modern Japanese Shiatsu which incorporates deep-tissue, pressure-point, and stretching techniques to ease sore muscles, alleviate stress, and improve your overall mood.
The 60-minute A Thousand Smiles in the Rising Sun treatment is priced at S$76. 90-minute and 120-minute options are also available at S$108 and S$143 respectively.
Address: 66 Eng Watt Street, #01-28, Singapore 160066
Contact: 6438 3933 or book online here
Operating hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon to Sun)
Japanese massage Singapore: Spa Nes
Ideal for night owls, this late-night mega spa club is the place you need to check out if you want a Japanese massage experience at, say, 3 o’clock in the morning (it’s currently the only spa centre in Singapore that opens until 6am).
Here, you’ll definitely be getting the ultimate relaxing experience as Spa Nes doesn’t only offer a variety of facials and body massages by skilful therapists, it also has facilities such as mineral onsen jacuzzi pools, sauna, steam room, all-day buffet dining, and lounge area for your enjoyment.
With so many facilities and amenities at your disposal, you can easily spend hours wandering in the compound and just chilling after a long day at work.
Address: 407 Havelock Road, Annex@Furama Riverfront Hotel, Level 2, Singapore 169634
Contact: 8778 6307
Operating hours: 11am – 6am (Mon to Sun)
