Review: Kabuki Springs & Spa

What’s the vibe at this place?
Kabuki Springs & Spa is a serene space that asks its guests to keep chatter to a minimum, and leave electronics in their lockers. The spa, which is right in the heart of Japantown, offers a host of services, from massage to acupuncture and facials, as well as Japanese-style communal baths, which are designed for harmony and relaxation.

The communal bathing area is large, with a hot pool, cold plunge, dry sauna, and steam room, as well as traditional seated Japanese bathing areas, and standard showers. Guests can relax on wooden lounge chairs around the tiled pools, and there's no limit to how long they can stay.

The facilities are women-only on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and men-only on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Tuesdays are co-ed, and it's the only day of the week that bathing suits are required. Admission to the communal baths is $25, or $15 if you're already getting a treatment.

Take us into the room. How was the session itself?
At Kabuki, therapists perform both Eastern and Western massage. Eastern includes Shiatsu, where fingers, elbows, and even toes are used to apply pressure. Newbies might be better off with Western massage, which focuses more on relaxation.

Serious connoisseurs can read through the bios on Kabuki's website to pick the right therapist. On weekdays, 50-minute massage sessions are $100, and $110 on weekends.

Nice. What about after the treatment?
If you're getting a treatment, you should come early to enjoy the pools. A full-time attendant makes sure that amenities like sea salts, teas, chilled towels, and water are always available. Start in the sauna or steam room, then scrub down with the sea salts so that your skin is as refreshed as the rest of you.

What do they do best here, then? And how can we make sure we get the most out of it?
Make sure to spend some time in the quiet serenity of the communal baths. They're great for unplugging on your own, or for taking a friend who you know can handle some time alone together. Demand is high, so if you can, make a reservation. Otherwise, you could end up waiting for quite some time.