Toyama Toyama City
A Hokuriku sanctuary with a natural spring-water cold plunge bath you can drink from and a Rocky Sauna
Spa Alps is a bath complex in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture. Established in 1986, this long-running facility is known nationwide among sauna enthusiasts as the sacred site of Hokuriku saunas and one of Japan's three great cold plunge baths. Its biggest draw is the natural mineral-water cold plunge bath, which uses untreated, continuously flowing spring water from the Northern Alps water system. With water quality certified for drinking and a softness that feels as if it wraps around the skin, it draws pilgrims from all over Japan. The Rocky Sauna, operating since the facility first opened, is equipped with automatic löyly. It also features Alps Shokudo, a capsule hotel, and a comic corner, and is open 24 hours a day, making it a convenient base for travelers.
An authentic Rocky-style sauna. Automatic löyly every 15 minutes sends steam throughout the room, gradually bringing out a deep sweat. The powerful heat from the gas stove surrounds your body. On Saturdays and Sundays at 5:00 p.m., and on Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m., whisking (aufguss) is offered. There is also a TV, so you can relax and stay in for a long time. With löyly using natural water from the Northern Alps water system, it has been loved by sauna fans for years.
The signature women's sauna, Yuyu Wonderland. Renovated in 2023, it now features automatic löyly. The aromatherapy-scented automatic löyly regularly fills the room. The TV inside the sauna can be operated with a remote control. On Sundays at 6:00 p.m., löyly heat waves (aufguss) are offered.
Uses 100% natural water from the Northern Alps water system in a continuously flowing setup. No circulation filtration or chlorine is used, so fresh cold water is constantly flowing in. It is certified for drinking, and even the waterfall spout from the ceiling and the tap water are safe to drink. Despite being cold, it feels soft and is known for leaving the skin smooth. Next to the cold plunge bath is an outdoor air bath area, where you can relax comfortably in a tototou chair.
A bubble-equipped cold plunge bath. It is slightly warmer than the main cold plunge bath, making it ideal for a more gradual cool-down. It uses 100% naturally flowing water and is also safe to drink. The bubbles provide a massage-like effect as well. Its compact size makes it well suited for focusing on achieving tototou.
One of Japan's largest cold plunge baths, Blue Grotto. The women's area was extensively renewed in the 2023 renovation. With pool-like spaciousness, it has drinking taps and a waterfall spout, and fresh natural water constantly flows in through continuous overflow. A space once said to be the object of envy among male sauna lovers can now be enjoyed as a women-only area. The water is cold yet soft, giving a noticeable smooth feeling to the skin.
A cold plunge bath adjacent to Blue Grotto. Natural water flows in through constant overflow. The water quality is safe for drinking, and its moderate coolness makes it ideal for a gradual cool-down. Together with Blue Grotto, you can choose the temperature range and size that suit you best and tototou.
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By car
By train and bus
About 1 minute on foot from Nakaichi Bus Stop and about 10 minutes on foot from Oizumi Station. Parking available
Visited by the Editor-in-Chief
The Editor-in-Chief visited in person in October 2025
8 Sets at the Sacred Ground of Hokuriku Sauna
Read the full review
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