Spend a day in a traditional ryokan
With mineral-rich onsens, quaint tatami rooms, magma stone beds and a Japanese Zen garden, Ikeda Spa instantly transports you to a traditional Japanese inn or ryokan. The magic is in the details – such as the hinoki wood used to build the onsen bathtubs. Once reserved for royalty, this precious cypress wood releases restorative mineral oils and a soothing scent into the hot spring water. The purist will also be glad to know that all therapists are taught by a Japanese trainer, and even the refreshments contain Japanese flower petals baked into organic biscuits.
TRY… the Geisha Organic Facial, $240 for 90 minutes. This purifying and brightening treatment features exotic nightingale droppings. Before you balk at the idea of any kind of bird poop coming into contact with your face, rest assured that these powdered droppings have been thoroughly treated and disinfected. They were traditionally used by geishas and later adapted by fashionable New Yorkers such as Victoria Beckham. Combined with other Japanese skin-healers such as organic rice bran, camellia oil and azuki red beans, it’ll give you the enviable glow of well-rested skin.
Located at 787 Bukit Timah Road and #05-22 Clarke Quay Central, Tel: 6388 8080.
Enjoy an authentic onsen experience
Go onsen-hopping at Yunomori Onsen & Spa. The largest onsen spa in Singapore, it features 11 aquatic therapy pools over a sprawling area of 16,000 sq ft. This includes a Soda Spa pumped with carbon dioxide to enhance detoxification, a Silk Bath enriched with sensuous hydrogen micro-bubbles to relax muscles and alleviate stress, a Jet Bath to prompt better blood circulation, and a Cold Bath to tighten pores. ‘Yunomori’ means ‘hot water in the forest’, and fittingly, this spa features wood and other natural materials to create a tranquil healing oasis.
TRY… all six variations of the baths for an entrance fee of $38. Alternating between the hot and cold baths will help you detox and decompress. Cap off your treatment with an Aroma Oil Massage, from $138 for 90 minutes. After your day at the onsen, you’ll enjoy the most restful sleep you’ve had in months.
Located at #02-17/18 Kallang Wave Mall, Tel: 6386 4126.
Immerse yourself in antioxidants
Love your beauty sleep? Antioxidant Wellness is for you. Spend an hour reposing on the Ganbanyoku or special hot stone beds. Besides prompting perspiration, these beds release Far Infrared Rays (FIR) and negative ions that are believed to heal, soothe and detoxify the body, and treat chronic fatigue, water retention and skin disorders. This spa is owned and managed by cancer survivor Shirmain Lim, who personally benefited from the immunity boosting benefits of infrared heat therapy.
TRY… the Ganbanyoku Hot Stone Bath, $22 to $39 for 60 minutes. Change into a Yukata, pop into the Antioxidant Room with a bottle of antioxidant-infused water, and luxuriate on the Ganbanyoku beds. After your therapy, you’ll be treated to two small glasses of enzyme juices in flavours such as Hawthorn, Lemongrass and Ginger. These natural vegetable and fruit juices will replenish your body and complete your healing journey.
Located at No. 1 Thomson Ridge, Tel: 6756 0636.
Experience Japanese hospitality
As soon as a therapist dressed in kimono greets you at the door, you know you’re in for an immersive experience. Inspired by Japanese culture, Erabelle Prestige Visioncrest features lovely accents such as a Shoji sliding door, framed lacquered wares and cherry blossom motifs. Opt for a half-day spa programme, and you could even enjoy a traditional Chado (tea) ceremony in a tatami room. Pre-booking is required.
TRY… the Genmai-Bijin Polisher Plus, $192.60 for 90 minutes. Power packed with enzymes and antioxidants, this treatment softens your skin and delivers powerful anti-ageing benefits. Genmai exfoliant, warm milk and an ampoule are freshly blended into a warm paste, applied onto skin and massaged away to exfoliate dead cells, flush out toxins, ease sore muscles and reveal smooth, radiant and flawless skin. After a quick shower, skin is replenished with a therapeutic skin tonic mist to soothe and revitalise it.
Located at 103 Penang Road, #01-06, Tel: 6836 8388.
Discover zen-like purity
Shiseido Facial Atelier combines the tranquility of nature, the art of Japanese beauty rituals, and the power of cutting-edge Japanese cosmetic science. During your treatment, you will be teleported by clarifying sounds recorded on Mount Koya. Special artisan tools crafted from Kyushu clay will also be used for your face, neck, decollete and upper arms massage, and a warm Yutaka Stone will be placed on your stomach to provide thermal stimulation and add to the luxurious and immersive healing experience.
TRY… the Shiseido Future Solution LX Yutaka Ultimate Brightening Facial Treatment, $180 for 60 minutes. Unlike many brightening treatments, this facial does not involve any harsh peels, abrasive scrubs or unpleasant machines. Instead, layer upon layer of Shiseido’s luxurious anti-ageing products will cocoon your skin to reverse sun damage, dehydration and congestion, and unveil pure radiance.
Located at Beauty Services, TANGS at Tang Plaza, Level 4, Tel: 6737 4943.
Indulge in true luxury
Featuring the most luxurious beauty brand to come out of Japan, Clé de Peau Beauté Facial Suite is synonymous with pure indulgence. Every ritual is understated and sublime, and combines soporific techniques with cashmere-like textures and exquisite scents.
Try… the Clé de Peau Beauté Synactif Intensive Facial, 55 minutes, complimentary with $600 worth of product purchases. This ultra-luxurious treatment begins with a Rose Synactif fragrance absorption experience to centre you and prepare you for a deeply transformative experience. Hot and cold massage plates are also used to boost circulation and lymphatic flow, energise skin, and enhance the efficacy of a symphony of precious lotions, creams and masks that niftly resuscitate tired skin and infuse it with radiance. Throughout the entire experience, a specially curated melody by Japanese composer and sound artist Yota Morimoto will be played to elevate your experience.
Located at #01-09 Mandarin Gallery, Tel: 6262 3615, Isetan Scotts, Tel: 6235 0854, Takashimaya, Tel: 6735 2996, and TANGS at Tang Plaza, 6235 6126.
