Osaka Hotel Sets Record for World's Highest Infinity Bath

An increasing number of Japanese hotels are setting themselves apart with stunning "infinity baths" that seem to blend seamlessly with the sky. Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower, which opened on July 17, has set a Guinness World Record for the highest outdoor infinity public bath in a building.

Many other hotels are enhancing their appeal by adding infinity baths during renovations, attracting younger demographics and individual guests rather than group tours. 

Bathing on the 31st Floor

The infinity bath at Osaka The Tower offers a panoramic view of Osaka City. Located on the 31st floor, the bath is 127.462 meters (about 418 feet) above ground. CEO Teruaki Hozumi of Candeo Hospitality Management emphasizes that bathing with a spectacular view provides a unique experience. He states that the panoramic bath is the hotel's "biggest selling point." Osaka The Tower is the group's 28th hotel and aims to attract 400,000 guests annually within three years.

The rise in infinity baths follows an increased demand for the unique experience of open-air baths. Hotel journalist Hitomi Imura notes, "More hotels are incorporating these facilities, especially those by the sea, aiming to encourage guests to spend more time at the hotel and book additional nights."

'Immersed' in Lake Biwa

Biwafront Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, which opened in August 2023, is also operated by Hotel New Awaji. Located on the shores of Lake Biwa, it features an infinity bath with a breathtaking view. The manager states, "Many guests say they were amazed at how it felt like being in Lake Biwa itself. We are also seeing an increase in inbound visitors."

Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Hotels & Resorts, which operates over 30 locations nationwide, runs eight facilities with infinity baths. TAOYA Nikko Kirifuri in Tochigi Prefecture revamped its open-air bath into an infinity bath in April 2023, taking advantage of its location within a national park at an altitude of about 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet). According to a spokesperson, this has led to an increase in the number of young guests.

Panoramic Views

A recently opened hotel with an infinity bath is Kamenoi Hotel Tsukubasan. It began operations in April 2024 at the site of a long-established inn founded about 70 years ago, following Mystays Hotel Management's takeover of the property in September 2023. Located in Ibaraki Prefecture, the hotel features an infinity open-air bath with a panoramic view of the Kanto Plain. Of the approximately 39 Kamenoi Hotels nationwide, three have infinity baths.

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(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Keiko Tamura, The Sankei Shimbun