The days of old-fashioned fashion are long gone. Businessmen, cool skaters, beautiful students and fashion designers… everyone, young and old, are enchanted by Sanna. Finnish saunas have become commonplace, and the sauna market is replenished daily with new outdoor saunas and single-person saunas. Japan has been a sauna lovers’ paradise since ancient times. If you don’t go to the sauna now, when will you start? (This article is taken from Huinum Unplugged Vol.12)
(Rica Trading Bureau), Orca sauna cap 4000 yen (Orca Utoh Shokai), Hoka Oneone™ sandals 8800 yen (Deckers Japan)
Finnish saunas are generally well known, but did you know that similarly cold regions have a slightly different sauna culture? The igloo sauna, an outdoor domed sauna, originated in Estonia, one of the three Baltic countries. An igloo is a simple kamakura-shaped shelter built by Eskimos living in the Arctic to keep warm in the winter.
Vihita is a bunch of young birch branches and leaves that, when patted all over the body, improves blood circulation, kills bacteria and moisturizes the skin, thereby maintaining its firmness and elasticity. Its refreshing aroma can also provide a relaxing experience similar to forest bathing.
The igloo sauna at Komoriwa Camping in Hiki County, Saitama Prefecture is an authentic model imported from Estonia. The outside of the house looks idyllic with its spruce walls, while the inside is clean and modern with birch wood and a wood-burning sauna stove. Thanks to the infrared radiation from the sauna stones and the thermal convection created by the dome ceiling, aroma and heat are quickly released after depilation, warming the body from the inside. Another attractive feature is that you can chop the wood yourself, then put it in the stove and adjust the temperature, which is in keeping with local custom.
The poncho is a product of Finnish towel company Ruin Living. The cape is made of high-quality Turkish cotton, which is soft, fluffy and highly absorbent. [Living in Ruins] Cape L 22,000 yen (Rica Trading Bureau).
Orca Uto is an independent wrestler who makes his own brand of sauna hats. This is a masterpiece for the sauna that protects your head and hair from the heat and prevents you from overheating. Orca Sauna Hat 4,000 yen (Orca Uto Shokai)
Relax in a quiet sauna, isolated from the outside world, and take a cold shower after sweating profusely, which is very refreshing. And finally, listen to the babbling of the river in front of you while taking an open-air bath. Is there a more luxurious sauna than this? I was surprised that this place is only an hour from the center of Tokyo. Suddenly, this place was so close, like heaven.
Address: 930-1 Hongo, Tsukigawa-cho, Hiki-gun, Saitama Prefecture Tel: 0493-81-5477 Hours: 8:00-18:00 comoriver.com
Long before saunas were brought to the United States from Scandinavia, similar cultures already existed in the United States. The “steam bath” was a sacred ritual used by Native Americans to resolve problems and build trust within the tribe. This ritual is still practiced by Native American descendants, and I have observed it in California.
Saunas are similar to steam baths in that they use steam containing herbal essences to cleanse the body and restore health through sweating, while steam baths emphasize mental and physical release.
They sat in the dark, locked the door of their hut, surrounded by the heat, and sang prayer songs. Then they confide in each other and reveal their innermost thoughts. This will remove impurities from the body, and with profuse sweating, tears will flow. This is truly a “rebirth.” This is the best sauna, which immerses the body and soul in a state of mental and spiritual purification.
Sauna culture is constantly evolving. We carefully selected 4 saunas that interested us, including a sauna that makes you feel happy, a sauna that allows you to experience extreme cold like a trainee, and a special sauna that makes you say to yourself, “I am TOTONOU (revolutionary)! If you warm up from the inside, your immunity will be strengthened.”
This old bathhouse in Kinshicho has been restored and is considered a pioneer of new bathhouses and new trends in Tokyo. The sauna is Finnish-style, has an automatic low-steam function, and the entire surface is paved with barley stone, a special technology that improves heat retention and insulation. In addition, you can enjoy two water temperatures: about 16°C and 21°C, which is rare. 970 yen.
Address: Kanazawa Building 1F, 4-14-6 Taihei, Sumida-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-3622-5009 Hours: 10:00-24:30 (Saturday 15:00-) Closed on the second and fourth Monday of each month koganeyu.com
In a public bathhouse in Kyoto run by young people, there is a tattoo parlor called Kitsunoya on the second floor. “Basically, there are no rules against tattoos in the bathhouse, and everyone is welcome,” said Minato, the owner of the bathhouse. You can make a tattoo as you like by soaking it in hot water. Only here in the world can you find such a unique and warm place. 450 yen
Address: 175 Iwatakicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City Tel: 080-2523-0626 Hours: 14:00-26:00 (Sat and Sun only, morning bath 6:00-12:00) Closed on Thursdays Twitter: @umeyu_rakuen Instagram: @umeyu_rakuen
Address: Sauna Umeyu 2F, 175 Iwatakicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City Telephone: Not set (For inquiries, please send an email to kitsuneyatattoo@gmail.com (closed) Hours: Reservations required Twitter: kitsuneyatattoo.com Instagram: @kyoi_kitsuneya
This is one of the most anticipated saunas in the country. Not only are there two saunas and a water bath, but there is also an ice sauna inspired by the real Lapland near the Arctic Circle. When the room temperature exceeds -25 degrees Celsius, the rapid cooling of the body stimulates the metabolism of muscles and liver, relieves fatigue and improves digestive function. 60 minutes, 1,100 yen.
Address: 3-13-12 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Tel: 052-241-7126 Hours: Open 24 hours (2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., 2-hour course only, 1,820 yen) Open year-round Twitter: www.wellbe.co.jp/sakae/
It is very popular and fills up quickly. It is a completely private single room and you will not be disturbed. You can also freely enjoy wax therapy using birch water or lie down in the sauna. 60 minutes 3800 yen/reservation required.
Address: 23-1 Tenjincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Phone: Untheoretical Hours: 9:45-23:00, open all year Twitter: www.solosauna-tune.com
The Doublet brand embodies all sorts of fantastic ideas in its clothing. The brand’s designer, Masayuki Ino, is also a sauna lover. He became interested in saunas because of the TV series Sa-Do.
After graduating from Tokyo Mode Gakuen, he gained experience as a corporate designer and was responsible for the planning and production of footwear and accessories at Yasuhiro Mihara. In 2012, he co-founded the company “Doublet” with fashion designer Takashi Murakami, for which he received the LVMH Prize in 2018.
I had been to the sauna many times before I watched the show, but at that time I was just going back and forth between the sauna and the hot tub. I didn’t take a break during the sauna session, so I learned how to use the sauna properly from the TV show. When I finally put it into practice, it was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I felt my medulla oblongata swelling when I breathed, and it felt like I was being released from gravity. I wonder if this is what they call “TOTONOU (rejuvenation)”. After that, I started going to the sauna at least once a week, and even when I was on business trips, I would stay in places that had a sauna or something similar. Now I am more attracted to places near a sauna than any luxury hotel (laughs).
Although he is not an expert in saunas and has only been going to them for about two years, he is very passionate about them. He also said that going to the sauna has a positive effect on the process of creating clothes. “The day after going to the sauna, my mind is clearer and it is easier for me to come up with good ideas,” he said. So, instead of dwelling on it, I go to the sauna as soon as I start to feel down. Refreshing yourself will help you get into a positive frame of mind and focus. In fact, when I couldn’t come up with any ideas for the Fall/Winter 2021 collection, I went to the sauna despite the limited time. The sauna is located at the Soka Wellness Center, which is more than an hour’s drive from my home.
The wool scarf presented in the autumn-winter 2020 series pays homage to the communal bath towel! It also appeared frequently on the catwalk that same year.
After a series of very hot saunas, water baths, and open-air baths, my blurred vision disappeared and my vision became clear. Then I began to wonder why all this bothered me so much. For Mr. Ino, the sauna is the only place where he can relax his body and clear his mind. For me, as a joker, the sauna is the perfect place to relax. I think about clothes all the time, but there are some things I can only understand when I’m naked. That’s what the sauna taught me.
After the sauna, the first set of clothes, as expected, was a quick-drying T-shirt from Soka.
Once you’ve warmed up your body and mind in the sauna, you’ll want to prepare yourself by putting on quality clothing and makeup. Silk, cotton, and even plant-based materials are all great choices. Natural materials can sometimes outperform science.
LOOK SEA is a casual and sportswear brand that specializes in silk materials. This hoodie is reversible: cotton on the front and thick silk on the inside. The thick silk pile provides warmth and is pleasant to the touch. What’s even more amazing is that it also has an antibacterial effect! Luxie] Parker, 31,680 yen (Dosho Corporation)
THING FABRICS” was born in Imabari, the largest towel-making district in Japan. The soft suede fabric is soft and absorbent. This configuration can be called a “wearable towel.” THING FABRICS] T-shirt 16,500 yen, pants 17,600 yen (THING)
Made primarily from Japanese paper, this sweatshirt is extremely breathable, odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying, and its thickness is ideal for wearing as a cut-and-sew garment. (UNDERSON UNDERSON) Sweatshirt ¥13,860, Pants ¥13,860 (UNDERSON UNDERSON)
Of the many extra-long cotton fibers, Zimmerli uses only pure white yarn with particularly long fibers for its T-shirts. Despite its apparent simplicity, this T-shirt feels pleasant against the skin and is highly breathable. Zimmerli T-shirt 9,530 yen (Wicks)
The fabric is fine cotton, soft and elegant, with a luster comparable to silk. The clean appearance is also attractive. Sunspel〉Swim shorts 6,050 yen each (Sunspel Omotesando store)
The raw material for this underwear is silk, the protein composition of which is close to that of human skin. It is soft to the touch, has a moisturizing effect, is comfortable to wear, and does not stick to the skin even if you sweat. Montbell〉Top 8,800 yen, Bottom 8,470 yen (Montbell customer service)
Botanical Breeze is a men’s cosmetics brand specializing in body care for men. The fragrance and natural essential oils of lemon, orange, lime and sage combat sweat odor. Botanical Breeze Cologne Hydrogel 3,850 yen (Botanical Breeze Customer Service Center)
Hair is easily damaged after a sauna, so hair care is important. The refreshing mint scent is refreshing, and the herbal ingredients make hair more shiny. Uca Amulet Hair Oil Spray, 3,850 yen (Uca Tokyo Headquarters)
In addition to saturating the skin with essential oils, the product also hydrates it with sugar-based cosmetic ingredients. The soothing aroma of chromoja is sure to relax you. Cleansing Foam, 4,290 yen (Cosmetopia)
This plant-based lotion is highly moisturizing without leaving a sticky feeling and is quickly absorbed into the skin. It also contains ingredients that tighten pores and prevent oiliness. The scent of citrus forest is refreshing. Bocchan》Flower Scented Moisturizing Cream (Lotion) 2,530 yen (Bocchan)
Contains four plant extracts for skin conditioning. Natural plant extracts have moisturizing, firming and anti-grease effects, conditioning the skin from the inside (stratum corneum), keeping it clean. BOTJAN>Forest Toner (Toner) 2,200 yen (BOTJAN)
Contains soy isoflavones and soybean seed extract, which prevent the pores from opening and make the skin soft and supple. Continuous use of this lotion also has the effect of slowing down hair growth, leaving the skin clean and easy to care for. Prisoner’s Skin Lotion 2,640 yen (Joel Loti)