EDO-YU RYOGOKU

We visited the Edo-yu at the tail end of, what was apparently, a record breaking heat wave in Tokyo. 13 straight days of 90+ degree temperatures with 90+% humidity.

The LAST thing I wanted to do was get in hot water, but, my wife was so looking forward to it... had to go.

The experience was very nice. It didn't seem like anyone spoke English, but my poor Japanese was enough to muddle by.

First take off your shoes and put them in a locker. That locker key on a bracelet is going to be the lynch pin of the experience. After you wait in line and register. They'll ask you how long you want to stay, and then provide you with some sort of spa bag. In our case we had to wait about 10 minutes, our number was called up. We tapped our magic key bracelet and headed upstairs.

There's a hot rock room on the upper floors (I could not). The men's baths had several different types of saunas, steam rooms and baths between temperatures and additives, but I just spent my whole time soaking in the cold water bath. Between my aching, swollen feet (did I mention how hot it was for two weeks) and my general hatred of warmth at that point it's all I could do.

Afterwards I spent some time napping in the relaxation room before meeting my wife for dinner on the common floor.

The food there was excellent, a very good value, and again... tap your bracelet to pay.

As your time wraps up or you're satisfied, make your way out and pay at the kiosk before dropping your spa bag off.