No booking is required if you want to try the public onsen, but my boyfriend and I opted for the private onsen. We booked our tickets online via Klook, which cost S$132/person for 90 minutes. The private onsen admission also comes with a complimentary wagashi - and the keyword is 'a' because we were only given one although it was a booking for two people. Wish we had two because the wagashi was delish.

After booking our tickets for Joya Onsen Cafe on Klook, we had to WhatsApp Joya Onsen Cafe at +65 8847 2081 to book our slots.

The nearest MRT is actually Joo Koon, but I found it much easier to travel to Pioneer MRT and take Bus 192 or 974. We were quite early, so we headed over to register first. The reception is actually outside the cafe, and after we were done, we were told that we could just head in to get the wagashi or try the public onsen after collecting our yukata and towels.

The yukata is available for rent at S$16, but since we booked the private onsen, we could use them for free! They were really adorable and just added to the whole 'feels like in Japan' vibe. We were also given disposable underwear, a comb, and a shower cap.

On the way to the public onsen, there was also this nice walkway that looked like a Japanese garden. Many people took pictures here too.

Since we had extra time, we went to check out the public onsen first, which is separated according to gender. Before entering the dressing room on the way to the onsen, there was a big sign warning patrons that we were not allowed to take pictures or use our phones past this area. So my boyfriend and I set a time to meet outside the dressing room.

The dressing room was very spacious and clean. There were also lockers for you to put your belongings. Just when I was placing my bag in the locker, two women walked out from the public onsen completely naked. I was honestly stunned for a while! They were not at all embarrassed and just walked around the dressing room in their birthday suit. Meanwhile, I hid in one corner and undressed...

The public onsen was large and it also had a sauna and ice bath! There were also cubicles for you to wash up before entering the onsen.

After checking out the public onsen a bit, I headed over to the reception to check if our private rooms were ready. My boyfriend and I were given a timer that would ring 10 minutes before our time was up. After the briefing, we were ready to enjoy the onsen!

The private onsen was quite big - the onsen 'pool' was big enough for ten people to soak in, and since there were only two of us, we had lots of space. There was also a sauna for us to enjoy, as well as a water dispenser and shower. The only downside is that there is no ice bath in the private rooms, so you would still have to go to the public onsen if you wanted to use it.

There was another private room beside us, and I suppose a family was using it because we could hear the shouts and screaming of the kids. We got a little annoyed with the screaming and crying, but the sound of the water was quite loud so it drowned out the kids' noises. Once our time was up, we headed to the reception to give back the timer. Then, we went to the cafe to get some refreshments! The cafe's tatami dining area is really cute!

We ordered the complimentary wagashi and some ice cream! The wagashi was pretty good. There is actually proper food here as well, such as udon and sushi. If you're craving something sweet, you can try out their parfaits, which looked really good too.

We had quite a good experience at Joya Onsen Cafe. It really felt like a quick escape away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore. I also think the private onsen is quite worth experiencing, considering you get to use the public onsen for free the whole day as well. But I feel that it will be more enjoyable going to the public onsen with friends; if you're with your significant other, just book the private one!

That's all for today's Joya Onsen Cafe review, thank you for reading and see you next post.