湯処 — BATHING & WELLNESS
Where does the
day begin to soften?
A deep hinoki timber bath, a quiet treatment room, and the forest just beyond, bathing and wellness in the bushland at Hepburn Springs, near Daylesford. Open to those who stay, and to those who come for the day.
湯処 — THE JAPANESE BATH
Begin with the bath
The Japanese Bath is Shizuka’s most distinctive offering — a deep hinoki timber tub beneath a handcrafted pavilion, set in a private courtyard garden. You rinse first, slowly, then lower into the heat and let it find you.
An onsen is the traditional Japanese hot-spring bath, and the ritual around it is centuries old: you wash thoroughly first, then lower in and soak in silence, letting the heat do its slow work. Our Japanese Bath follows that ritual — the closest thing to a private onsen in Victoria, an hour and a half from Melbourne in the spa country around Daylesford.
Bathe in complete seclusion. As is traditional in Japan, bathing is without swimwear. If you would not feel comfortable bathing this way with a friend or family member, please book separate bathing sessions.
Nothing here is rushed. Surrounded by bushland, you soak beneath the open sky while the sounds of the forest replace the noise of everyday life. It is more than a bath; it is a quiet ritual that invites the body to slow and the mind to settle.
トリートメント — TREATMENTS
Treatments & massage
Shizuka’s day spa is a carefully considered menu of Japanese-inspired massage treatments, offered either on tatami in a traditional room or in our dedicated treatment suite. We recommend enjoying your treatment after the bathing ritual, when warm water has softened the body and the mind has begun to unwind. To ensure availability, all treatments must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
マッサージ＆指圧
Massage & Shiatsu
Choose from traditional Shiatsu, on tatami without oil, or Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue and Pregnancy Massage.
フェイシャル
Facials
A restorative Japanese skincare ritual that leaves your complexion feeling soft, hydrated and renewed.
リフレクソロジー
Reflexology
Reflexology — easing the parts of us that carry the day, by prior appointment.
動と静 — MOVEMENT & MINDFULNESS
Yoga and Meditation
Beyond the bath there is private yoga, guided breath and slow seated meditation, on tatami in a Japanese room — and shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of forest bathing, taken out among the trees that surround us.
These are offered through the season, sometimes as small group sessions, sometimes alone. A way to carry the calm of the water out into the rest of the day.
日帰りプラン — PACKAGES
Bathing & wellness packages
Thoughtfully curated day experiences that bring together Japanese bathing, massage and quiet time at the ryokan—with the option to complete your visit with a seasonal Japanese dinner. Staying overnight? Accommodation packages →
Day retreat · bathing
The Bathing Session
A private session in the bathhouse — one or two guests, about an hour, the gentlest way to spend an afternoon in the valley.
Day retreat · bathe + Aromatherapy Massage
Bathe & Be Treated
A bathing session followed by an Aromatherapy Massage. The water opens the body; the treatment follows.
Day retreat · bathe + dinner · NEW
Bathing & Dinner
A bathing session, then omakase dinner in the restaurant — the bath, the meal, and the slow drive home.
ご来館の前に — BEFORE YOU COME
A first visit, made simple
In Japan, the bath is not where you wash—it is where you unwind. Before entering the warm water, you cleanse your body thoroughly at the shower. Only then do you step into the bath, leaving behind the practicalities of the day and simply enjoying the warmth, the stillness and the surrounding forest.
As in Japan, the bathing ritual is enjoyed without swimwear. Your booking gives you exclusive use of the private bathing courtyard, so the experience is entirely your own.
What to expect
How a session unfolds — wash in the shower first, then soak in the bath, then rest with green tea in the lounge — and the gentle etiquette of the bathhouse.
What to bring
Very little. Your yukata robes, towels and organic bath amenities are all provided, allowing you to settle into the bathing ritual from the moment you arrive.
ご予約 — RESERVE
Book bathing and wellness
How are you visiting?
Visiting for the Day
Each day is carefully paced, with only a small number of bathing and massage appointments available. Choose your date below to see what’s available—for the bathing ritual, treatments or yoga. We recommend booking early, as all sessions are reserved in advance with generally more than 48 hours’ notice.
Some experiences may show limited availability online, particularly when the ryokan is busy. We reserve a small number of appointments for our overnight guests, but we’ll always do our best to welcome day visitors whenever possible.
If you can’t find a suitable time, please email us at [email protected] or call the Shizuka team on (03) 5348 2030 between 9:00am and 9:00pm. We’ll gladly check whether we can arrange something for you.
Staying with Us
Bathing and treatments join your stay rather than the day diary — with morning and evening times held just for our overnight guests.
Booking with your accommodation. We recommend booking treatments as part of a package at the same time as your accommodation booking. This will give you priority and better pricing.
Already booked? Add extras via the Guest Portal so we can ensure a seamless experience for you.
Or simply ask. Email [email protected] or call (03) 5348 2030 between 9:00am and 9:00pm.
ご利用の前に — GOOD TO KNOW
DAY VISITS · PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING
Practical notes
A few things worth knowing before a day visit, so your time here is unhurried from the moment you arrive.
| Booking Ahead | Sessions are limited and book out, particularly on weekends and during holidays — reserve at least 48 hours ahead rather than arriving on spec. |
| Arrival | Please arrive a little before your session so there’s time to settle, change and be guided through the ritual. |
| Times | The earliest session is 9:45am; the last is 5:30pm. Early mornings and evenings are reserved for overnight guests. |
| Bathing only | Offered only occasionally — always check availability before travelling. |
| Changes | Changeable or refundable up to 72 hours before; inside that, the full fee applies. If you need to reschedule, a $30 admin fee covers a change. |
ご滞在の方へ — STAYING WITH US?
This page is for day visitors. If you’re staying at the ryokan, your bathing and treatments are arranged a little differently — woven into your stay, with times reserved just for our overnight guests.