Authentic Japanese baths are hard to come by outside Japan, and finding Japanese spas in San Francisco is equally hard, which is what makes Kabuki Springs so uniquely enjoyable. The communal baths are same-sex on alternating days (Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday for women; Monday, Thursday, and Saturday for men), with both sexes and their bathing suits welcome on Tuesdays. In the baths, a clean, Zen-style minimalism prevails, together with an impressive attention to small but important touches such as free sea salts, chilled cucumber slices, warm towels, and tea. The full-service spa is available to both sexes every day and takes a more decorative approach. If you schedule a treatment at Kabuki Springs, give yourself plenty of time beforehand to hit the sauna and steam rooms, cold plunge, and hot pool, in that order.