Did You Know There’s a Japanese Spa Town Where You Can Bathe in Red Wine, Coffee, Sake or Green Tea?

Hot springs are a big deal in Japan. The country has thousands of onsens (natural hot springs), each promising relaxation and health benefits. But one town has taken the onsen experience to a whole new level.

Welcome to Hakone, Japan, home to Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, or the Yunessun Spa—where you can soak in baths infused with wine, coffee, green tea, and even sake. If you’ve ever dreamed of literally immersing yourself in your favorite drink, this is the place for you.

Why does this spa exist? And what exactly happens when you bathe in a giant pool of wine or coffee? Let’s…dive in!

Where Is This Incredible Spa?

The Yunessun Spa is located in Hakone, a popular hot spring town about an hour and a half from Tokyo by car or about two hours by train and bus. Hakone is famous for its spectacular mountain scenery, traditional ryokan (Japanese inns), and some of the best onsens (spas) in the country.

Unlike traditional onsens, which emphasize quiet relaxation and mineral-rich waters, Yunessun takes a playful, theme-park approach to hot spring bathing. It’s a family-friendly spa complex with both traditional and unconventional baths, making it a fabulous stop for solo travelers, friend groups, couples, and families.

How to Get There:

• From Tokyo, take the Odakyu Romancecar train from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station
• From there, transfer to a Hakone Tozan Bus and ride to the Kowakien stop, just a short walk from the spa

The Most Famous Baths at Yunessun Spa

Yunessun hosts several hot spring pools infused with food and drink ingredients. Some have skincare and health benefits, while others are purely for quirky fun. None of them are for drinking, but we hope you wouldn’t be tempted to drink your bathwater regardless of what’s in it!

1. The Wine Bath 🍷

The bright red wine bath is arguably the spa’s most famous attraction. The water is infused with actual wine extract, which is believed to boost circulation and improve skin elasticity. Every day, a staff member theatrically pours real red wine into the bath from an oversized bottle. It’s as over-the-top as it sounds.

2. The Coffee Bath ☕

Imagine stepping into a giant pool of freshly brewed coffee—because that’s pretty much what happens here! Made from real coffee extract, this bath is reported to reduce fatigue, tighten the skin, and boost energy levels. A staff member pours coffee in three times a day here, and by all accounts, the spa smells incredible.

3. The Green Tea Bath 🍵

Japan is famous for its high-quality green tea, and this bath—smaller than the others, more like a jacuzzi—lets you soak in its antioxidant-rich goodness. Green tea can help detoxify the skin, improve blood circulation, and reportedly fight signs of aging.

4. The Sake Bath 🍶

Sake isn’t just for drinking—some believe it has anti-aging benefits for the skin when applied topically. The warm water is blended with fermented sake extracts, and if you’re not sure whether it’s for you, just consider this: famous geishas used sake in their skincare routines. It’s a deeply relaxing bath with a sweet, comforting aroma. Also similar to the Green Tea Bath, the Sake Bath is in a smaller tub than the others.

Why Do These Baths Exist?

The concept of bathing in food and drink may seem bizarre, but it actually has roots in Japanese wellness traditions. Many natural ingredients, like tea, sake, and wine, have long been used in traditional Japanese beauty treatments thanks to their healing properties.

Yunessun took this idea and blended it with Japan’s love for themed attractions to create a one-of-a-kind experience. While some travelers hop in for the health benefits, others love the baths for fun and Instagram-worthy moments.

Are There Real Skincare Benefits?

Some studies suggest that certain ingredients might have benefits when used in skincare:

• Red wine contains resveratrol, an antioxidant linked to anti-aging properties.
• Green tea is known for its polyphenols, which may help reduce skin inflammation and UV damage.
• Sake contains kojic acid, which is used in skin-brightening treatments.

So while you might not emerge from the wine bath looking 10 years younger, there is science behind food-based skincare.

Can Anyone Visit Yunessun?

Yes!* Unlike traditional Japanese onsens—where nudity is required—Yunessun has a bathing suit area, making it more accessible to international visitors and those who aren’t comfortable with Japan’s typical onsen customs. For those who want a more traditional experience, Yunessun also offers a separate, nude-only onsen section with mineral-rich waters from Hakone’s famous hot springs.

*Note: If you have tattoos, you can only visit certain areas (including the coffee, tea, and sake baths, plus some other resort areas), while keeping your tattoos covered. Other areas are off-limits even if you want to cover your tattoos. You can also get a private room with hot spring baths either fully indoors or partly outdoors if you have tattoos that you can’t or don’t want to cover.

What Else Can You Do in Hakone?

If you’re visiting Yunessun, take some time to explore a few of the area’s other incredible attractions:

• Owakudani: A volcanic valley known for its steaming hot springs and famous kuro-tamago, black eggs boiled in sulfuric water
• Lake Ashi: A beautiful lake with incredible views of Mount Fuji and boat cruises
• Hakone Open-Air Museum: A unique museum blending art and nature, featuring sculptures and works by artists like Picasso
• Hakone Shrine: A beautiful, red torii gate standing in the waters of Lake Ashi

Would you take a dip in a wine bath—or are you more of a coffee soak person? Share your thoughts and stories with the Frayed Passport community!

About the Author

As the editor-in-chief of Frayed Passport, my goal is to help you build a lifestyle that lets you travel the world whenever you want and however long you want, and not worry about where your next paycheck will come from. I've been to 20+ countries and five continents, lived for years as a full-time digital nomad, and have worked completely remotely since 2015. If you would like to share your story with our community, or partner with Frayed Passport, get in touch with me at sarah@frayedpassport.com!

Featured image by ROMAN ODINTSOV on Pexels.