Do-it-yourself Japanese ofuro bath - how to do it right

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Ofuro and furaco

Features of Japanese baths

Japanese baths Furako and Ofuro are designed to be used simultaneously or separately, it all depends on your capabilities and needs. When using these baths at the same time, the healing procedures first begin in the warm water of Furaco, followed by warming with sawdust and pebbles in Ofuro.

Furaco

is a large wooden pool with hot water. The water in it is heated using a built-in or external wood-burning stove. As a rule, it is installed outdoors. After a hot bath in the font, treatments follow in the Ofuro bathhouse.

Ofuro

- these are two cedar boxes, one of which is filled with sawdust, and the other with pebbles.

Benefits and contraindications of Japanese steam rooms

Procedures in Japanese steam rooms improve the functioning of all body systems: endocrine, genitourinary, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous.
Metabolism improves, immunity increases due to hardening in water, toxins are eliminated due to deep heating in Ofuro, the skin becomes clean and elastic. A person’s performance and emotional state improves. However, there are contraindications

: Malignant formations. Exacerbation of chronic diseases. Acute skin diseases. Hypertension, tuberculosis, epilepsy. Pregnancy and lactation period. Individual intolerance to the procedure. Children up to 3 years old.

Traditional Furaco font

Furaco
is a round or oval-shaped container with a partition; in one part there are benches, in the other there is a steel wood-burning firebox.
This modification of the furaco is called a font with a built-in wood-burning stove
.
There are also models with an external wood-burning stove
, in this case the internal usable space of the font is almost doubled.

It is recommended to heat the water to 40-45 C; this temperature is comfortable for staying in the barrel; it is with this heating that the maximum effect of the procedure is achieved.

A Japanese bathhouse is unusual for a Russian person. There is no steam room here where you can warm up thoroughly with hot air and take a steam bath. And there are no traditional bath attributes for us. It differs from the Russian bathhouse, but is no worse. The procedures here also heal and rejuvenate the body.

The design of Furaco may differ from one manufacturer to another, but the principle of execution remains the same.

In addition to hot tubs with an external or internal stove, there are models with electrically heated water

, in this case, electric heating serves only to maintain the temperature of the water already poured into the container. We recommend using a special lid to cover the barrel to retain heat; it can be wooden or made of heat-resistant material. It also protects the bathhouse from debris and dust during breaks between procedures.

In addition, you can order an individual design. The Furaco heated font is made of cedar or oak wood.

Depending on the size of the container, it can simultaneously accommodate from 2 to 8 people. To make it easier for you to decide on the size of the font, we have developed a table showing capacity depending on the diameter: For example, so that 3 or 4 people can comfortably take a hot bath, you need a barrel with a height of 110-120 cm and a diameter of 150 cm.

The procedure for carrying out the procedure in Furaco:

Slowly immerse yourself in the container. Water should be no higher than the level of the heart to avoid stress on the cardiac system. Aromatic oils and herbal infusions are added to the water to achieve maximum effect. After 15 minutes, you need to get out of the water and wrap yourself in a sheet. Next, it is recommended to rest in a lying position for 30-40 minutes to completely relax.

Bathhouse Ofuro

After bathing in Furaco, procedures are taken in Ofuro, if such a steam room is available.
Ofuro with sawdust

The warming up procedure begins immediately after placement on the sawdust; it is recommended to cover the entire body with them. The procedure time is 15-20 minutes. Hot sawdust effectively absorbs sweat, releasing beneficial substances to the skin. The essential oils they contain increase tone, strengthen the immune system, and improve overall well-being. The wellness procedure has a light massage effect on the skin and warms up the body. Pathogenic bacteria are destroyed, toxins and waste are removed.

Ofuro with pebbles

Sea pebbles heat up to 50-60 degrees. To avoid getting burned, it is covered with a sheet. Lie on the pebbles for about 20 minutes. To consolidate the effect, a general body massage is performed. And then, according to tradition, they drink herbal tea.

Note!

Periodic visits to ofuro make it possible to lose weight. This is due to both the removal of excess water and the stimulation of the breakdown of fat cells. It is recommended to consolidate the obtained result with a relaxing massage.

Examples of execution of Furako and Ofuro fonts

The Japanese consider the procedure of washing in fonts a ritual with which one can achieve peace of mind and tranquility.
The tradition of taking procedures in Furaco has also come to Russia. We want to show you how stylish and dignified this bathhouse looks on Russian soil. Below are photos of various models of Japanese baths from clients:

Interesting facts about the origin of the Japanese bath

Traditional Japanese bath

Why do you think Japanese bath art took a different path, radically different, for example, from Russian or Finnish? First of all, the point is the worldview of the Japanese, most of whom adhere to Buddhist philosophy. In the old days, organic matter was used to make soap - killed animals. Buddhists categorically did not welcome this approach and refused to use such hygiene products. But you still need to wash. What should I do? Use hotter water - it effectively removes contaminants without the need to use accompanying cosmetics.

Japanese bath - illustration of traditions

Women in the bathhouse. Unknown author. Late 19th century

Japanese painting – girl in ofuro

The spread of furako and ofuro was also facilitated by other features of the Japanese way of life, as well as the location of their country. So, in Japan there are many thermal springs. In the old days, this made it possible to build huge networks of baths, for the functioning of which free natural water was used.

Any steam room, and the Japanese one does not need an exception, has its own traditions, individual characteristics and rules of visiting. In the absence of knowledge and non-compliance with such, the furaco will become nothing more than a barrel of warm water, and the ofuro will become a bathtub filled with sawdust. We suggest you approach the process of preparing for a trip to a Japanese bath wisely - the more seriously you are informed, the more benefits you will get from the upcoming event.

Modern Japanese bath complex

A little history of the Japanese bath

Ancient drawing
The Japanese have a special attitude towards the bath and have never neglected bath procedures. Due to the religious abolition of soap, wood ash and rice husks were used for washing. Using soap was considered a sin due to the fact that it contained fat from dead animals.

Having washed off the dirt and sweat in this unique way, the Japanese immersed their bodies in a wooden barrel containing hot water. The person remained in this container until the body was steamed. This allowed the body to be completely cleaned during the hot summer, which facilitated the body's respiration. In winter, the bathhouse became a preventive measure that helped prevent the occurrence of colds. In the cold season, the clothes of the Japanese could not sufficiently warm a person, since fur and woolen clothing were also classified as sinful. Therefore, it was possible to carry out the body cleansing procedure and get the opportunity to warm up only in a bathhouse, which contained sufficiently hot water. These circumstances led to the emergence of a specific bathhouse, which the whole world later learned about. Moreover, over many centuries it has not undergone any fundamental changes.

Traditions and benefits of the Japanese bath

A private bath complex includes 2 main components:

• furako – a barrel with heated water;
• ofuro – bath with warm sawdust/pebbles.

Important note! In some regions, the listed containers have reverse names, i.e. the bath is called furaco, and the barrel is called ofuro.

A person immerses himself in sawdust after washing with water. For greater effect, mineral salts, oils, herbal decoctions and other similar things can be added to furaco water.

Immersion in sawdust - photo

The duration of stay in both furaco and ofuro should not exceed 10-15 minutes for experienced steamers and 5 minutes for beginners. In this case, you need to take a position in the barrel so that the heart is not immersed in water. A person without experience may begin to experience discomfort after just a couple of minutes - if any kind of unfavorable sensation occurs, immediately leave the container.

Illustration – immersion in a barrel of water

Furako in its traditional sense is not a bath that allows you to cleanse the body of impurities. Today it is, first of all, a place to relax, relieve stress and recuperate.

Japanese bath is a great place to relax

To ensure that the water in the Japanese bath barrel remains clean, it is strongly recommended to take a shower before immersing yourself in it.

It is recommended to take a shower before diving

Using soap in a modern Japanese steam room is still not recommended.

As for the benefits of traditional Japanese bath procedures, provided they are used regularly and, most importantly, correctly, the following beneficial effects are noted:

• normalization of heart and kidney function;
• increasing resistance to stressful situations and various colds;
• help in the fight against excess weight;
• rejuvenation and general improvement of the body;
• cleansing and normalizing skin tone.

Procedures in a Japanese bath are healing in nature

Going to a Japanese bath requires following a certain sequence. Be sure to read it and follow the recommendations received in the future.

The Japanese bathhouse ofuro is not just a tub of water, but a full-fledged set of procedures

Japanese approach to bathing

Bath font in Japanese

According to historians, the ofuro bath tradition owes its origin to the harsh Japanese climate. The Land of the Rising Sun is an island washed by cold seas and the Pacific Ocean. The weather here is always humid, the winter is chilly, and the rainy periods are quite prolonged with all the ensuing consequences. During the cold season, the air temperature in Japan drops to -40°C, which, together with the piercing sea wind, causes many diseases.

In such conditions, warming up the body after being outside becomes vital. And since firewood and coal, by Japanese standards, are quite expensive and very scarce materials, representatives of this eastern culture had no choice but to invent ofuro.

A Japanese bath is a wooden barrel of water placed on a stove that heats the liquid to the required temperature. The material chosen for the container is not at all simple - traditionally it was created from pine, cedar and larch, less often - oak and other valuable species that can retain heat. Inside the barrel there are seats on which you can sit relaxed or lie in a reclining position.

Font with internal benches

As a rule, a bath is taken for 5 minutes, which is quite difficult to endure if you are not used to it. However, more hardy lovers of bath procedures can easily afford to soak in the water for about 10-15 minutes. It is recommended to dive gradually to a level below the heart, and in the process of getting used to the water, incomparable physical relaxation occurs.

Since the temperature of the water in the barrel must be within the 45°C range of the stove on which it is installed, there is a risk of thermal shock. To avoid this, the person taking the bath must put a felt cap on his head, previously soaked in cold water.

Felt bath cap

Steaming correctly: sequence of procedures in a Japanese bath

In a good modern Japanese bath complex you will be offered the services of a geisha (if everything is done according to tradition) or simply an accompanying person of any gender. The task of these workers is to explain to you the correct procedure for carrying out all procedures and provide the necessary assistance.

The master will introduce you to the procedure

First of all, after entering the bathhouse and undressing, you need to take a shower. Additionally, it may be suggested to steam your feet with further massage of acupuncture points.

Shower in a Japanese bath

Foot massage in a traditional Japanese bath

After the shower, the visitor is invited to immerse himself in the first furaco barrel with water heated to no more than 35-45 degrees. There are comfortable seats inside the barrel. As noted, the position of the visitor in the barrel must be maintained so that the water is below the heart, otherwise various negative consequences may arise in terms of well-being. After spending about 5 minutes in the first barrel, the visitor enters the second furaco with warmer (about 45-50 degrees) water. It is also recommended to sit or recline for 5 minutes. If desired and you feel normal, this indicator can be increased slightly.

If the guest is hot, wipe his face with a napkin soaked in clean cold water

Important note! In many modern complexes, in order to save free space, only one barrel is installed, the water in which is gradually heated using special equipment.

In parallel with the stay in the barrel, a person can be offered a massage of the face, neck and shoulders. The total duration of procedures in Furaco is rarely more than 15 minutes.

After getting out of the barrel and wiping his body dry, the visitor plunges into a large bath of warm sawdust (most often cedar). During this procedure, significant relaxation of the body is noted and sweating increases, due to which the steamer’s body gets rid of toxins and is saturated with useful elements contained in sawdust. The skin is rejuvenated and strengthened.

Dry steaming in a sawdust bath. Cedar or aspen sawdust is used mixed with medicinal herbs. Sawdust absorbs sweat well, and essential oils are absorbed by the skin. The wooden bath itself is heated

The bath is covered with a blanket to make the guest even warmer. Temperature reaches 60 degrees

For the best effect, it is suggested to lie in a bath with heated pebbles. A professional geisha or other qualified attendant will massage with heated stones, which will increase the benefits of visiting a Japanese bath.

Massage option in a Japanese bath

Massage with warm round sea stones

After completing the above procedures, you should rest for at least 40-60 minutes. The finishing chord is a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

The tea ceremony is an integral completion of bath procedures

Rules for visiting furaco

To benefit from a Japanese bath, you should follow certain recommendations.

1. The furaco barrel is designed specifically for warming up the body. You can't wash in it. Before plunging into the hot tub, take a shower and wash off the dirt.
2. The water in a Japanese bath is heated to 45–55 degrees, maybe a little less. Aromatic and essential oils, herbal infusions and decoctions, and incense are added to it in order to enhance the effect of the procedure: relaxing, stimulating, healing.

   

3. In a furaco barrel, a person sits so that the water does not reach the level of the heart. Otherwise, the load on the heart will be too great. Stay in the bathhouse for 15 minutes, maximum 20.

   

4. While in the Furaco bathhouse, you can perform a body massage. It is especially useful to massage the face, shoulders, and arms.
5. Having climbed out of the barrel, the user wipes himself dry with a warm towel and heads to the second element of the Japanese bath - the ofuro bath. This is a rectangular, rather deep wooden box. The walls of the ofuro are thick to retain heat longer; there is a heating system on the bottom.

Important! If the area of ​​the bath allows, 2 or even 3 barrels are installed so that after warming up in water at a temperature of 35 degrees, the bather can then go to the second furaco with hotter water - 45 degrees. In this case, the user stays in the first barrel for 5 minutes, and in the second for 7–10 minutes. The total bathing time should be 15 minutes.

The bathroom is filled with cedar, linden, and oak sawdust. Medicinal herbs, roots, dry leaves and flowers, and essential oils are added to the mixture. The total weight of sawdust is about 45–50 kg. The mixture is heated to 45–50 degrees.

After the font, the user is immersed in sawdust up to his neck. The weight of the top layer does not exceed 2–3 kg. When heated, sawdust releases beneficial oils and volatile disinfectants, which has a strong healing effect. A person stays in such a bathroom for up to 30 minutes.

After the ofuro with sawdust, it is recommended to spend another 15 minutes in a bath with pebbles. The same box is half filled with pebbles heated to 60 degrees. A sheet or towel is placed on the pebbles, and the user is positioned as convenient for him: on his stomach or on his back. The procedure is extremely useful for back pain and spinal problems.

The Japanese bath ends in the same way as the Russian one: with hot fragrant tea and relaxation.

Important features of furaco

As noted, the furaco is a kind of water barrel, with immersion into which the soaring ceremony begins. Most often the barrel has a round shape, sometimes it is made oval. The best wood for making such a container is larch, oak, cedar and pine.

Outdoor hot tub (furako) with external stove

Japanese heated font with internal oven

Oven in a container

Inside the barrel there is always a bench for sitting. Traditionally, the container has a double bottom. In the gap there is a special stove. There are also modifications in which the stove is installed outside the barrel, near the wall.

The water temperature in furaco is maintained at an average level of 40-45 degrees. To maintain the set temperature while there are no visitors, the barrel is usually covered with a special lid. Additionally, it protects the water from various types of debris, which is important if the steam room is located in the open air.

The container is closed with a lid

To maintain the water temperature in furaco, the following types of stoves can be used:

• wood;
• gas;
• electric.

Wood burning stove

As a rule, high-quality stainless steel is used for the manufacture of such stoves.

If you plan to assemble the barrel yourself, carefully approach the issue of choosing its optimal overall dimensions. So, for example, so that the container can comfortably accommodate 3-4 visitors at the same time, enter the following indicators into the design documentation:

• diameter – from 1.5-1.6 m;
• height – from 1-1.2 m.

Otherwise, when choosing the optimal furaco diameter, you can rely on the recommendations from the following table.

Table. Choosing the diameter of the furaco according to the number of visitors

Helpful advice! To prevent the wood used to make the barrel from drying out, choose a place to install the container that is not exposed to strong sunlight or any other heat sources. Also, to increase the life of a Japanese bath barrel, you should not leave it without water for a long time.

Do not leave the container without water for a long time

As for factory-made units, most often on sale there are models within the range of 1.3-2 m in diameter and 1-1.2 m in height. For the manufacture of walls, as a rule, wood with a thickness of 42-48 mm is used.

Japanese bathhouse furako 6-8 seats d=2200 mm

Blanks for assembling the container

Certain changes may affect the configuration of the Japanese sauna barrel. Thus, the standard equipment traditionally includes the following elements:

• container directly;
• a special stove;
• seats/benches;
• entrance steps;
• drainage device;
• cover.

Furaco set – photo

Additionally, the package can be expanded with the following elements:

• stand for food and drinks;
• all kinds of decorative elements;
• electric pump for water replacement, hose;
• various protective elements;
• thermometer, etc.

Photo of a Japanese bath

Elements of a traditional Japanese bath

What is sento?

Approximately in the 5th century, mashiburo baths were invented in Japan. These structures could only be used by clergy; ordinary people were not allowed there. Mashiburo belonged to steam baths. Centuries later, in the 12th century, baths arose, to which all people had access.

Sento bath

Such baths were of a public nature and were built by Buddhist monks at temples. The peculiarities of the local climate were taken into account. In winter, the air temperature could drop to forty degrees below zero. People did not have warm clothes, and their homes were not heated sufficiently, and the sea wind penetrated right through them. This led to the need for heating, for which the bathhouse was used. In urban settings, establishments were built that were used, in addition to bathing procedures, for communication between residents. Moreover, at the beginning of the development of this tradition, washing women and men took place in one place. To carry out the washing procedure, visitors were given a basin filled with hot water upon entry. Having received such simple accessories, the visitor went to wash. To reduce heat loss, the entrance was built very low. The public bath in Japan is called sento. Wealthy Japanese could afford to build a bathhouse on their estates.

Japanese bath

It is noteworthy that before the advent of sento, the resourceful inhabitants of Japan used natural thermal springs to achieve the same goal. In addition to the fact that a person warmed up in the spring, he was also saturated with beneficial mineral salts. Such natural baths are called osen.

Currently, a sento is a large room in which representatives of different sexes wash separately. They are equipped with taps that supply water at different temperatures. The visitor cleans himself using soap and a washcloth, and then goes to a special room.

In some cases, sento may not allow foreigners or people with tattoos on their bodies, which is contrary to religious beliefs.

Characteristics of ofuro

Japanese baths are barrels.
Having completed the washing procedure, a person went to a room where there were large barrels made of wood. They are installed on the stove. According to the Japanese, only the appropriate attitude helps to achieve the required therapeutic effect during the bath procedure. The barrels are filled with water, the temperature of which is 50 degrees Celsius, which does not frighten the Japanese. During the procedure, a person is not completely immersed in water, but sits chest-deep in hot water. In this case, a massage is performed on the part of the body and face that is not immersed in water. The duration of this part of the bath activities lasts about 7 minutes. If the visitor’s health allows, they can increase to 15 minutes. After this time, they leave the barrel and wipe themselves dry.

After this procedure, the person moves to the next barrel, which is called furaco. The contents of this container consist of cedar sawdust with the addition of aromatic oils and medicinal herbs. Warming up the sawdust allows the body to warm up, which is accompanied by the opening of skin pores. When this state is achieved, all the beneficial substances contained in plants penetrate the body. This helps to rejuvenate the skin and relax the body as a whole, which increases a person’s vitality.

Ofuro baths in modern times

The next step is to dive into the next barrel containing heated sea pebbles. This event has a healing effect on the spine and has an effect equivalent to a full body massage.

After leaving the third and final barrel, a body massage can be performed, after which you should rest. The bath procedures end with a tea ceremony.

Important features of Japanese ofuro

In its classic design, this element is a rectangular container in the form of a bathtub, made of cedar or oak (most often) and filled with special stones (pebbles, graphite) or sawdust.

Wooden containers for sawdust and pebbles

The heating system, as in the situation with furaco, is traditionally mounted in the lower part of the container. The temperature of the filler is maintained at about 50-60 degrees. To service modern ofuros, electric heating systems with additional elements in the form of a thermostat, remote control, etc. are usually used.

Heated container

Japanese sauna ofuro (furaco sawdust)

The parameters of this container are selected in such a way that the visitor can lie down in it, stretching out to his full height.

Sawdust of linden, cedar, as well as oak and larch are usually used to fill the bathtub. The total weight of sawdust in ofuro averages 40-55 kg. To maintain the maximum beneficial effect, it is recommended to update the top ball of sawdust after each visit to the bathhouse. To increase the effectiveness of the procedure, it is recommended to soak the filler in special oils and dilute it with a variety of medicinal herbs.

Sawdust with aromatic oils in a container

Important! Ofuro is made exclusively from wood. Metal, plastic and other materials cannot be used for this work.

As for the size of the bathtub, traditionally they are kept within the following limits:

• height – 1-1.2 m;
• length – up to 2 m;
• width – up to 1 m;
• wall thickness – 4-4.5 cm.

The power of the heater used is selected taking into account the size of the bath. Usually a 1.5-6 kW installation is sufficient.

Larch, oak, ash, as well as teak, pine and cedar wood are excellent for making the bathtub itself. In order to preserve the original qualities of the material and increase its service life, natural wax coatings are used.

Larch

Oak

Cedar

Ash

Construction of a Japanese bath

Selecting a location

The site for the proposed construction of a Japanese bathhouse with your own hands must correspond in size to the designed structure. First of all, care should be taken to prevent crowding in the room during bathing procedures. On the other hand, excessive space is also undesirable, since it should be understood that you will have to heat the additional room. There are no special requirements for the construction site. To prevent a fire, the bathhouse should be located at some distance from other structures.

It is important to choose the right place

With a small plot area, they often combine living space with a bathhouse. The construction of a bathhouse on two levels reduces the need for space. In this case, the first floor is occupied by the bathhouse itself, and on the second there is a room intended for relaxation. In addition, this arrangement allows you to combine different baths in one room.

Foundation

The structure has a significant mass, since the room contains a barrel with significant dimensions containing water, a stove for heating it, a box filled with sawdust, and also people. This circumstance must be taken into account when calculating loads.

A strip or column type foundation is installed as the base of the building. An important requirement when building a Japanese bathhouse with your own hands is to ensure that the building is in a strictly horizontal position. To fulfill this condition, in a landscape with uneven terrain, a structure is built on stilts.

The following work is carried out for its installation:

• holes are drilled along the perimeter at a distance of 1.5 m from each other;
• the pile frame is reinforced and lowered into the pits;
• the cavities of the pits are filled with concrete solution;
• brick columns are laid out on a dried frame;
• waterproofing of pillars is organized.

Foundation
An individual foundation of a monolithic type is built under the furnace for ofuro and furaco. For this purpose, in accordance with the dimensions of the structure, to which 100 mm in diameter is added, a separate pit is dug. At its bottom, a sand cushion with a layer of 100-150 mm is constructed, which is well compacted. A layer of gravel is poured on top of the sand layer and also compacted thoroughly. To increase the rigidity of the base, a reinforcing frame is constructed, which is filled with concrete mortar. Such a foundation should have a height that exceeds the upper surface of the pillars of the main foundation by 50-100 mm. It is mandatory to treat the foundation with impregnating waterproofing.

Walls and roof

To build walls, you can use round timber, rounded logs, timber, or assemble frame structures. The best are walls made of cedar or oak. However, the high cost of these tree species limits their use, so the use of pine or larch is acceptable. The installation of the walls of a Japanese bathhouse is no different from the Russian one.

Roof installation

The roof can be single- or double-sloped; it must have a small slope angle. The rafter system can be constructed from any available wood. The roofing material is arbitrary.

Finishing

The space inside is significantly different from popular baths: Russian or Finnish. There is no steam room in this case. Instead, there is a room equipped with two wooden containers. To maintain a sufficiently high temperature, the walls should be insulated. Linden or aspen lining may be good for this. It should be understood that artificial materials are inappropriate in a Japanese bath.

Finishing option

Bathing procedures involve the use of water, so extreme care must be taken when organizing the electrical supply. There are no sockets allowed in the bathhouse. The entire electrical part of the bath should be located in the dressing room.

Procedures in a Japanese bath are aimed at relaxing the body and gaining peace of mind, so it is necessary to organize a room intended for relaxation accordingly. It is recommended to minimize the presence of non-natural materials.

A few words about sento

There are also public baths in Japan - here they are called sento. In terms of its internal design, such a steam room is a large room divided into male and female halves.

Sento

Public Japanese Bath Sento

The main component of the sento is a spacious pool for several people, filled with water heated to 50-55 degrees. Before diving into the communal pool, each visitor must take a shower, preferably a contrast one. The maximum time spent in a warm pool is up to 10-15 minutes.

A modest public Japanese bath

Japanese public bath

After the “soaring” you can go to a special well-appointed relaxation room and end the event with a traditional Japanese tea party.

In modern Japanese baths, in addition to the basic procedures, a number of services are offered in the form of massages, all kinds of masks, healthy wraps, etc. With regard to this issue, each visitor decides independently, drawing up his own ideal weekend program.

Baths of Japan

Gallery

Choose a model based on the experience of our clients and consultant managers!

We wish you and your loved ones health!

Contraindications to visiting a Japanese steam room

You should refrain from going to the bathhouse:

• children under three years of age;
• pregnant women;
• patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, all kinds of infectious diseases and colds.

Now you know everything about Japanese baths. Enjoy vaping and stay healthy!

Interesting fact. Enterprising Japanese turned the ofuro bathhouse with sawdust into an ofuro bathhouse in warm volcanic ash

Currently, Japanese baths are the main link in large spa complexes. In addition to the usual procedures, you can order additional procedures such as massage, wraps, cosmetic masks.

In sento they not only wash, but also relax

Sento is a type of public bath.
By paying about 300-500 yen for a bath (460 yen in 2020 in Tokyo), you can take as many baths as you like during sento hours. Once inside, you will see two entrances, for men and women, behind which there are locker rooms. In the locker room, you need to put your clothes in a locked locker or on a shelf. In the past these were usually shelves, but nowadays almost all onsen or sento have lockers.

Login for men

Login for women

Inside, the space is divided into wash areas and bath basins. To wash yourself, there are taps and showers, there are gangs and seats. As a rule, there are several pools in which many people can relax at the same time. Typically, the water in different pools has different temperatures.

First you need to take off your clothes in the locker room, then wash yourself clean, and then take a bath. It is not customary to put a towel in the water in the pool. In sento pools, the water is usually quite hot, and you first need to douse yourself several times, allowing your body to get used to the temperature, and only then gradually enter the pool.