YOQ

Steel plunges and a three-floor sequence

Pronounced 'yoku', YOQ combines a sauna with a drink stand at 2-48-11 Uehara, about five minutes into the shopping streets from Yoyogi-Uehara. Leave shoes in the 1F lockers, keep the key and take the lift to reception on 4F; after checking in, descend to 3F to change and shower. Three shower booths come with shampoo, conditioner, body/face wash, skincare, towels and dryers.

The sauna uses a HARVIA LEGEND heater with periodic aromatic automatic löyly. American TARTER TANK steel tubs provide the cold plunges, followed by an indoor, temperature-controlled resting area. There is no warm bath. Lemon water on 3F uses unwaxed, pesticide-free lemons and ice from Shibuya's Fuji Himuro. Tables and a skyline-facing counter on 4F give drinks their own space after bathing.

Timed prices and sauna/bar access

Current ordinary prices for 60/75/90 minutes are ¥1,800/2,000/2,200 on weekdays and ¥2,300/2,500/2,700 on weekends/holidays. Overruns automatically add ¥500 per 30 minutes. Hours are weekdays 12:00–24:00, weekends/holidays 10:00–23:00, closed Mondays; last admission is one hour before closing. No reservations are taken. Cash, cards and transit e-money are accepted; tattoos are allowed. Admission starts at middle-school age, with a guardian required for those students. No calls/photos on 3F or outside food/drink.

The sauna is normally men-only. Separately announced women’s days have their own timetable, tariffs and access terms. On ordinary days women may use the drink stand without the sauna, and bar time is outside the sauna allowance. Non-alcoholic choices include oropo ¥500, shiso soda ¥500 and ginger ale ¥600. A weekday 90-minute visit plus shiso soda totals ¥2,700, or ¥3,200 on a weekend. The operator places alcoholic drinks after sauna use.

Before you go

Hours and fees

Sauna on 3F; reception and bar on 4F. Weekday 60/75/90 minutes: ¥1,800/2,000/2,200; weekends/holidays: ¥2,300/2,500/2,700. Overtime is ¥500 per 30 minutes. Weekdays 12:00–24:00; weekends 10:00–23:00; closed Mondays. Last entry one hour before closing. Cash, cards and transport IC accepted.

Good to know

Normally a men’s sauna, with separately announced women’s days. Middle-school age and above; those students require a guardian. Tattoos allowed. No photos or calls on 3F.