who knew that for $90 you could transform your childhood? at imperial spa in japantown, relive the experience of your childhood bath. three friends and i enjoyed a soak and steam as well as fomentation before they headed off to give up the top few layers of their skin. wow.
the reviews are all true, according to their report: ladies in black lace bikinis scrubbing you to an inch of your life, cucumber salad on your face, hot milk and baby oil everywhere. you will not be the same after this experience.
i was a bit sad to be confined to a -very enjoyable and effective- shiatsu massage instead of the scrubbing extravaganza, but with a skin condition exacerbated by trauma, i was obliged to sit this one out. but for those who are ready, this is a unique and transforming experience. to lay on a table for over an hour and be totally sloughed, massaged with an ocean of baby oil and coated on the face with cucumber salad put everyone in a zen state. but the most notable effect was the feeling of maternal care each person reported experiencing. as the ladies who work in the spa are all middle aged, my friends felt like they were being given a bath like when they were younger, complete with scrubbing behind the ears. walking out with fresh new baby skin and- for two out of three of them, a hug from their service provider gave each of them a feeling of a fresh new start. so, if you want a spa treatment to remember, and care for your inner child along with your desire for young skin, this might be the treatment for you. and for those on a budget, soaking and steaming is just $20 for a day pass.
the facilities were both clean and comfortable. i will certainly be back. and, to quite the group of women who were dressing to leave in the locker room as we arrived, "please don't tell anyone about this place- let's keep it our secret."
enjoy!
Serious? Can I _live_ there? What a gorgeous place!! May have to visit if I can get a few hours free at Blogher. Can't _wait_ to see you. <3
Posted by: Gwen Bell | 14 July 2008 at 14:21