Location - Mihama village, Chatan-cho, just south of the Beach Tower
Even though we don't care for resorts, we do like public baths. While mainland Japan has a great bath scene, Okinawa is a bit lacking in this department.
Chula-U is one of only a few bath options on the island. For 1000Y (10a-6p) or more at night, you can enter their complex. After leaving your shoes by the entrance, you pay your money, get a locker key, and then the sexes segregate. You could of course shower in your swimsuit on the way to the sex-integrated pools, but instead do it Japanese style.
Get your gear off, then sit on a plastic stool in front of a mini-shower. Use the supplied products to work up a nice all-over lather. Note that the Japanese people don't miss a spot. Then, jump in the tiled indoor bath (40C) and have a soak. Afterwards move the the sulphur pool and lounge awhile longer. There is also a pleasantly toasty sauna room. Then, when fully relaxed, you can put on your swimsuit and head to the pool area.
During the winter, only the warm pool is open. In summertime, there is a much larger pool, a jacuzzi, and beach access. Lounge chairs are scattered about.
Once you are pruney, return to the changing area and take advantage of their combs, hairdryers, and skin products. Leave smelling divine.
After all that soaking, the adventurous can offer their dead skin as a tasty treat for the Doctor Fish. These live in a small tub in the entrance hall. Put your feet in the tub and the fish nibble away. I can't say I noticed a difference afterwards, but the experience is so trippy it is worth a few moments of your time.
If only Chula-U was more reasonably priced (ie <500Y), and was not attached to a major resort hotel, I think I would go there twice a week. Instead, it makes a nice girls afternoon out from time to time.
