Modern individuals grapple daily with the pressures of work and household chores. At times, one needs a respite, a moment to unwind without contemplating anything, and a sauna provides an avenue for detoxification while inducing perspiration.
Once captivated by the allure of saunas, the domain unfolds as a vast ocean. In recent years, the sauna trend has gained momentum, with a surge in fashionable saunas captivating the interest of young women. Presently, Japan boasts over 12,000 sauna facilities, indicating a sustained fervor for the sauna experience.
SAUNACHELIN (サウナシュラン) meticulously evaluates saunas across Japan, considering factors such as facilities, pricing, and hospitality. The selection highlights Japanese sauna establishments that warrant an annual visit. This year marks the sixth edition of the initiative since its inception in 2018, with 11 facilities earning nominations.
In light of this, which Japanese sauna establishment have you chosen as the destination worthy of your current attention?
No.11: Public House and Sauna (Kumeya) / Mimasaka City, Okayama
Situated in Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture, the "Public House and Sauna" secured the 11th spot. Adjacent to the Kumeya Inn on the right side, this sauna is exclusively available to guests staying at the inn.
The sauna, a Japanese-style smoke sauna converted from an old warehouse, offers an indulgent experience with the rich warmth emanating from the burning wood in the hearth.
While reaching this location can be challenging without a car, its recent media and social media attention make reservations hard to secure. It is advisable to plan several months in advance and anticipate the awaited day.
- Public House and Sauna (パブリックハウス アンド サウナ)
- Address: Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture, 156 on the right
- Access: About 30 minutes from Mimasaka IC via Okayama Prefectural Route 7 Chizu Katsuta Line towards Tottori
- Cost: ¥5,000 (includes homemade broth, sauna drink) / Sauna usage fee: [1-2 people] ¥1,000 per person / [3-7 people] ¥2,000 per person (*excluding accommodation)
- Business Hours: Check-in from 15:00, Check-out by 10:00
- Official Website: http://nakaute.com/index.html
No.10 Nukato Yuge / Kyotango City, Kyoto
Securing the 10th position is "Nukato Yuge" in Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture, offering facilities for rice bran enzyme baths and five types of saunas.
Established by Kyoto physician Naoki Yoshioka, the facility, akin to a modern spa center, uniquely warms the body from the core through enzyme baths and saunas, restoring the autonomic nervous system to an ideal state.
Kyoto Prefecture's Kyotango City, renowned for longevity, provides a distinctive environment and lifestyle to explore after indulging in sauna sessions.
- ぬかとゆげ（Nyka Yuge）
- Address: Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture, Minamiyama-cho Sugitani 941-1
- Access: About 10 minutes' walk from JR Mineyama Station
- Cost: Enzyme bath/¥5,500 (approximately 20 minutes), Sauna/¥3,900-¥4,800 (*varies by sauna room)
- Closed: Thursdays
- Business Hours: Enzyme bath/8:40-18:00 (last fermentation at 18:00), Sauna/6:00-24:40
- Official Website: https://nuka-yuge.com/
- Reservation Hours: Enzyme bath/until 13:00 on the day, Sauna/until 22:00 on the day
No.9 Kannojigoku Hotel / Kondo Town, Oita
Ranking 9th is the "Kannojigoku Hotel" in Kondo Town, Oita Prefecture, with its bathhouse in operation since the late Edo period in the second year of Kaei (1850). Boasting a history of 95 years in business and 174 years since its establishment, this hot spring inn possesses a rare sulfur cold spring in Japan.
The sauna community has been abuzz with rumors that the water quality and temperature here are exceptionally suited for cold water baths. In July 2023, a sauna room fueled by a wood-burning stove with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius opened, creating a sensation.
- Kannojigoku Hotel
- Address: Oita Prefecture, Kusu District, Kondo Town, 257 Tanono
- Access: Get off at JR Hita Line Bungomori Nakamura Station, take a bus heading to Kujudensanguchi (about 50 minutes), get off at the last stop, and walk approximately 5 minutes.
- Cost (2 hours): Adults/high school students ¥2,500 / Middle school students ¥1,000 / Elementary school students and below ¥500
- Closed: Wednesdays, may close temporarily
- Business Hours: 9:00-18:00 (last reception at 16:00)
- Official Website: http://kannojigoku.jp/
No.8 Subtropical Sauna (Jungle Photo Land) / Kunigami-gun, Okinawa
Ranked eighth is the "Subtropical Sauna," which opened in December 2022 in Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture.
Immerse yourself in an authentic Finnish sauna crafted in a handmade sauna cabin within the jungle photo paradise located in the Yamahara Forest in northern Okinawa.
After leaving the sauna, relish a vacation-like experience in the outdoor cold-water bath. Following the water bath, indulge in an open-air bath surrounded by nature.
- 亜熱帯サウナ（Jungle Photo Land）
- Address: Jungle Photo Land, 2599 Izumi, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
- Access: 24 minutes from Sesoko IC via National Route 58 and Prefectural Route 84
- Cost: Weekdays/¥2,750, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays/¥3,300
- Closed: Thursdays (*Occasionally closed depending on weather conditions)
- Business Hours: 11:00-20:30 (4 sessions, each lasting 2 hours)
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anettai_sauna/
No.7 BOTANICAL POOL CLUB / Kisarazu City, Chiba
Seventh on the list is the "BOTANICAL POOL CLUB" (BPC) located in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture.
BPC is a hotel where you can enjoy an outdoor heated swimming pool surrounded by plants throughout the year. The facility also features two authentic saunas for a self-service sauna experience.
After the sauna session, cool off with a cold water shower from the cold water machine and then take a plunge into the pool—truly a unique way to enjoy the facility.
- BOTANICAL POOL CLUB
- Address: 1510-2 Shimosa-ku, Sawada-cho, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture
- Access: Get off at JR Awa-Katsuyama Station, take the local loop bus for about 15 minutes, get off at the Yamada Entrance bus stop, and walk approximately 7 minutes.
- Cost: Starting from ¥73,000 (may vary depending on the season)
- Closed: Irregular closing days
- Business Hours: Check-in: 15:00~, Check-out: 11:00
- Official Website: https://botanicalpoolclub.com/
No.6 Shibuya Saunas / Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Ranked sixth is "Shibuya Saunas," created by Katsuki Tanaka, the original author of the "サ道," known as the bible for sauna enthusiasts.
The facility features 9 saunas of 8 different types and 4 cold-water baths of 2 different types. By alternating the use of male and female baths, the establishment has created a system that allows patrons to enjoy all the exquisite sauna rooms.
Another distinctive feature of urban saunas is the valuable outdoor air bath space. The original clothing in the facility is supervised by the fashion brand DIGAWEL, and the attention to detail is evident throughout, with the facility being managed by OSAJI.
- 涩谷SAUNAS（Shibuya Saunas）
- Address: 18-9 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Access: Approximately 5 minutes' walk from the west exit of JR Shibuya Station
- Cost: Weekdays/¥3,080~, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays/¥3,850~
- Closed: Irregular closing days
- Business Hours: 8:00-24:00
- Official Website: https://saunas-saunas.com/
No.5 Noboribetsu Grand Hotel / Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido
Securing the fifth position is Noboribetsu Grand Hotel in Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido. The hotel is replete with fascinating facilities, including a large communal bath, "Oni Sauna," "Clear Stream Sauna," a giant bucket water bath with a depth of 170 cm, and an open-air bath with a Japanese garden featuring a waterfall.
The Dragon Palace Hot Spring also boasts a "Kuma Sauna," adorned with bear reliefs, allowing patrons to experience three types of saunas.
- 登別グランドホテル（Noboribetsu Grand Hotel）
- Address: 154 Noboribetsu Onsencho, Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido
- Access: 13 minutes by car from JR Noboribetsu Station
- Cost: Adults (junior high school students and above) ¥2,000 / Children (2 years old to elementary school students) ¥1,000
- Closed: None
- Business Hours: [Hotel Guests] Oni Sauna / 12:30pm - 10:00pm, 6:00am - 10:00am, Large Communal Bath Sauna / 12:30pm - 10:00pm, 6:00am - 10:00am [Day Use] 12:30am - 8:00pm, 7:00am - 10:00pm
- Official Website: https://www.nobogura.co.jp/
No.4 Spa Metsa Sendai Ryusenji no Yu / Sendai City, Miyagi
Ranked fourth is Spa Metsa Sendai Ryusenji no Yu, one of the largest wellness centers and sauna baths in the Tohoku region of Japan.
Featuring 19 different types of baths and saunas, including 6 carbonated hot springs, this facility offers a comprehensive experience. Additionally, there are six types of bedrock baths, co-working spaces, and a lounge with a permanent collection of over 10,000 books and manga, making it a facility where you can indulge throughout the day.
Notably, the dressing rooms for both men and women are equipped with high-quality ReFa hair dryers, and the indoor clothing is created by Kazuyoshi Minamakoshi, the creative director of BEAMS.
- スパメッツァ仙台 竜泉寺の湯 (Spa Metsa Sendai Ryusenji no Yu)
- Address: 2-5-9 Osawa, Izumi-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
- Access: Take a bus from the Tozai Namboku Line and Izumi Chuo Station. On weekdays, take a tram towards [Aeon Tomiya Shop], and on weekends and holidays, take a tram towards [Ue Sakuragi Daishimizu]. Get off at [Akashidai 4-chome Kita]. It's approximately a 5-minute walk.
- Cost: Weekdays/Adults (junior high school students and above) ¥1,100, Elementary school students ¥300, Preschoolers Free. Saturdays, Sundays, holidays: Adults ¥1,280 for 3 hours, ¥1,480 for free time, Elementary school students ¥400, Preschoolers Free (*Morning discount available)
- Closed: None (No fixed holidays)
- Business Hours: 6:00 am to 2:00 am (Last reception at 1:30 am)
- Official Website: https://ryusenjinoyu.com/spametsasendai/
No.3 The Sauna / Ushioni-gun, Nagano
Taking the third position is "The Sauna" in Nagano Prefecture's Ushioni-gun, earning its spot in the hall of fame for the third time.
In addition to five saunas heated by wood-burning stoves, the establishment introduced a trailer house named "Earthboat" in April 2023. This features a private wood-burning sauna, creating a more comfortable and outdoorsy experience than camping or staying in a hotel.
The sauna rooms have no televisions but are equipped with a residential smokeless wood-burning stove, sauna stones, and homemade benches, providing an authentic Finnish sauna experience.
- The Sauna
- Address: 379-2 Nojiri, Shinano-cho, Ushioni-gun, Nagano Prefecture
- Access: About 10 minutes by car from Shinano Railway Kurohime Station
- Cost: Sauna 1 and 2 on weekdays ¥3,500 per person, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays ¥4,500 per person. Sauna 3 Korme, Sauna 4 Renlia* on weekdays ¥33,000, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays ¥36,000 (Private charge). Sauna 5 Vish on weekdays ¥35,000, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays ¥38,000 (*Private charge)
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Business Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 10:30 pm, Friday 11:30 am to 10:30 pm, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 8:30 am to 10:30 pm
- Official Website: https://lampinc.co.jp/nojiriko/sauna/
No.2 Sauna Tokyo / Minato-ku, Tokyo
Securing the second position is "Sauna Tokyo" located in Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
"JoKiranbu" is Tokyo's largest sauna room, accommodating up to 40 people, with automated control of sound, lighting, and automatic scrolling. The establishment places great emphasis on sound system effects, utilizing six special speakers and a subwoofer.
In addition, there are 5 saunas and 3 steam rooms, including the sauna room "Tekaku Steam" using Finnish wooden decorations "Kero" directly imported, and the sauna room "Meditation Kero" also using wooden decorations "Kero" directly imported, equipped with a cold-water bath.
- サウナ東京 (Sauna Tokyo)
- Address: 3-13-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Access: 1 minute walk from Akasaka Station
- Cost: Weekdays: 1 hour ¥1,600, 3 hours ¥2,700, 6 hours ¥3,900, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays: 1 hour ¥1,800, 3 hours ¥3,000, 6 hours ¥4,200
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Business Hours: Weekdays/11:00 am to 9:00 am the next day (22-hour operation), Saturdays, Sundays, holidays/9:30 am to 9:00 am the next day (23-hour 30-minute operation)
- Official Website: https://sauna-tokyo.jp/
No.1 Welbe Sakae / Nagoya City, Aichi
Taking the top spot is "Welbe Sakae" from Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. Ranked first in 2018, fourth in 2019, and now back at the top in 2023.
Despite being located in the bustling city of Nagoya, this sauna perfectly embodies the authentic Finnish sauna culture. Formerly a men-only facility, in April 2023, a new women-only area and a co-ed area grandly opened.
In September 2023, the facility's resident Aufguss therapy practitioner won the Aufguss World Championship "AufgussWM 2023" held in Germany, and the facility is currently progressing smoothly. Undoubtedly, the number of fans is expected to grow in the future.
- Welbe Sakae
- Address: 3-13-12 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
- Access: About 5 minutes' walk from Sakae Station on the Higashiyama Subway Line
- Cost: Weekdays/¥2,000 (additional ¥500 per hour, up to ¥4,000), Nighttime ¥2,500, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays/¥2,500 (additional ¥500 per hour, up to ¥4,500), Nighttime ¥3,000
- Closed: No fixed holidays
- Business Hours: Regular Sauna/5:00 am to 12:00 am, Night Sauna/12:00 am to 5:00 am, Women-only Area/12:00 pm to 11:00 pm *Last entry at 10:00 pm
- Official Website: https://www.wellbe.co.jp/lp/sakae/
With SAUNACHELIN 2023, we have introduced various sauna facilities across Japan that you should visit now. These facilities are filled with remarkable features, ranging from historic saunas from different regions to the latest saunas in Tokyo. If there's a facility that piques your interest, do check them out.
