Today’s newsletter is about my all-time favorite hobby: SAUNA (サウナ). It's hard to contain my excitement as I’m writing this letter. Over the past 4 years, I've indulged in this passion by visiting different saunas all over Japan for 1-3 times a week. I've experienced the warmth of saunas and hot baths across Japan, from Hokkaido to Hiroshima, including Nasu, Kanagawa, Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, and Okinawa. My routine includes a 10-minute sauna session at 80-90°C, immediately followed by a cold plunge and a moment of open-air relaxation. Inside the sauna, the intense heat makes my blood surge, and I like to observe how my veins visibly dilate (the human body never ceases to amaze me). Another activity I recommend is lymphatic drainage massage ; it's great for detoxing and promoting better blood circulation.
For the cold bath, I always begin by splashing cold water on my face. It's said that doing this first activates the mammalian diving reflex (MDR) This reflex is triggered once our face is exposed to the cold, causing our heart rate to slow down and the blood vessels in our extremities to constrict. In simpler terms, it helps to calm us down. The initial moments in the cold often challenge my mental fortitude, but with a few deep breaths, I typically stabilize within 15 seconds, and the sensation of cold vanishes. The third phase, and my absolute favorite, is relaxing in the open air. This is truly the best feeling ever, I find myself in a blissful state and that ‘Zen’ feeling.
Don’t just take my word for how beneficial saunas are. In fact, Dr. Susanna Søberg, PhD., who earned her doctoral degree at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, has extensively researched the effects of deliberate cold and heat exposure on metabolism and various other aspects of human physiology. Cold exposure doesn't only lower cortisol levels, reducing stress; it can also boost glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, mood, energy, and focus. This is attributed to the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.
Now, I do not want to bore you with my journey of sauna. So this newsletter is for all the sauna fans out there. Keep reading to learn about the biggest sauna in the world build right here in Tokyo.
By the way as of June 14, 2022, there are an impressive 2,093,693 active sauna facilities all over country (Reference :Aqutpas)
Japan is in its third wave of sauna popularity. Starting in 1792, the country adopted Finnish saunas, with the first one built in Nemuro City, Hokkaido. Until then, baths heated by wood were the mainstream, but with the construction of this Finnish sauna, Japanese people began to experience the benefits of the Finnish sauna. This sauna culture was introduced to Japan by experts from Finland, and saunas quickly began to spread. In 1845, Japan's first large-scale public sauna was built in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. The arrival of this sauna culture in Japan created a rich history of sauna bathing that continues to this day. After that, sauna culture merged with Japanese customs and traditions, creating Japan's unique sauna culture that continues to this day.
Source: https://nytsauna.com/japans-oldest-finnish-sauna-and-laxman/
After World War II, sauna culture and history in Japan rapidly flourished. Saunas became an important part of Japanese leisure activities, and in the latter half of the postwar period, with the spread of bathing culture, saunas began to be built in the gardens of private homes and in public saunas in local cities. This period is generally referred to as the "first sauna boom." During this period, many people discovered the sauna lifestyle and experienced the health benefits of saunas. However, most interesting fact is that Japan's love for saunas was also affected by the Olympics. The first big sauna spot opened in 1956, and even before that, in 1951, there was a built in Kyoto and ironically was named "Tokyo Onsen".
Fast forward to today, saunas are experiencing a significant comeback in Japan. This resurgence is partly because people are seeking more ways to relax and prioritize self-care. The trend also gained momentum around 2009, largely due to the book "Sa-do," which was published in 2011 and adapted into a comic in 2016. In 2019, a live-action adaptation of this manga for sauna lovers was aired.
Japanese name of Manga: マンガ サ道～マンガで読むサウナ道～（１）
English title: Manga Sa-do ~ Sauna way read in manga (1)
Author: Katsuki Tanaka
Taken from the manga: After a fateful day when I happened to learn how good saunas, which I had always hated, actually felt good, I became completely addicted to saunas. Life is so much fun when you have something to get into! (Google translation)
In 2017, a website and an app were released, making it easier to search for information about saunas. You can check out the website at: https://sauna-ikitai.com/
An interesting fact is that there is a Sauna Day, サウナの日 (3月7日), which falls on March 7th. The Japanese enjoy wordplay with numbers. For example, the number 3 is pronounced as "San" and number seven is "Nana." For Sauna Day, they combined "Sa" from "San" and "Na" from "Nana," leading to the date 03/07 (March 7th). Saunas are deeply embedded in the country's cultural identity and are seen as a means to purify the body, mind, and soul. Given Japan's diligent work culture, finding moments to relax is crucial. An increasing number of people are embracing "mindfulness," with some meditating in saunas to find inner peace. Moreover, sharing a sauna with others fosters a sense of community.
https://onsen.nifty.com/onsen-matome/211204718406/
Finally, the big news you were expecting. This winter, one of the world's largest saunas near Kichijoji Station will open its doors.
Named "MONSTER SAUNA", this expansive facility, covering approximately 230坪 (~760 m2), features a large sauna, cold bath, and a relaxation area. There are separate sections for men and women, and swimsuits are allowed. Additionally, there's a co-working space, which might sound a bit unusual to foreigners
■ MONSTER SAUNA (For Men)
This is an open-concept design which can fit 100 people, standing as one of the globe's largest high-temperature sauna rooms (maintaining a steady 100 degrees Celsius). Plus, they offer deep benches which you can comfortably sit cross-legged, ensuring a roomy and restful sauna session. The heat design lets you pick from a broad temperature spectrum, ranging from 70 to 110 degrees Celsius .
The cold bath is spacious, accommodating 30 people at the same time, and is named "MONSTER MIZUBURO". It features a unique system that lets you select the water's temperature, ranging from a chilly 9 degrees to a warmer 20 degrees. Additionally, the 'MONSTER' stove with an auto-rolling function performs a "Niagara rolling" action where a large volume of water cascades like a waterfall every 10 minutes. The company stated, "We use tap water from Musashino City, 80% of which comes from the groundwater of the Okutama forests, sourced from 250 meters deep. After specialized treatment, our bath offers crystal clear water with barely any chlorine smell. Enjoy a dip in the heart of the city that feels as refreshing as natural mineral water."
■ AROMA MOIST SAUNA (For Women)
This women's sauna is among the most spacious in Japan, comfortably accommodating around 30 people. The seating benches are designed wider than usual, allowing guests to relax in any position they desire. With the three-tiered bench system, you can select from a temperature range of 80 to 100 degrees Celsius, making it accessible and enjoyable for both beginners and seasoned sauna-goers. Advanced aroma autoroll system fills the room with a comforting blend of heat, moisture, and fragrance. The sauna is enhanced with essential oils and medicinal herbs.
Many saunas are also trying to be green, like using solar power. Japan's saunas have changed a lot since the early hot spring days, and I'm excited to see what's next.
References used for this article:
https://monstersauna.jp/ and address: 1-8-3 Kichijoji Honmachi, Musashino City, Tokyo, B1F
https://saunabrosweb.jp/news_monstersauna_1/2023/10/05/
