Many people are familiar with Japan’s onsen (hot spring) bathing culture, and hot springs can be found right across the country, from Okinawa in the south, to Hokkaido in the north. Taking a soothing bath, often in beautiful and naturalistic outdoor surroundings, is a great way to unwind and forget the stresses of everyday life. However, in recent years, there has been a minor boom for another relaxing pastime – the sauna. There are now an increasing number of purpose-built, luxury saunas in some of Japan’s most beautiful rural nature spots. Enjoy the heat and steam of the sauna followed by cold plunge time; combined with a uniquely Japanese natural setting, trying sauna in Japan makes for a one-of-a-kind experience, and is sure to leave you feeling totally refreshed and rejuvenated.
Relax in the idyllic setting of a traditional rural farmhouse at Musu Goka Sauna.
Rejuvenate your soul in a traditional mountain hamlet
The rural hinterlands of northern Kyoto Prefecture are a bucolic region of remote mountains and scenic coastline; here you can find the traditional hot spring town of Kinosaki Onsen, and take in remarkable views such as the famous sandbar at Amanohashidate and the quaint fishing village of Ine, with its historic funaya boat houses.
Here too you can find Musu Goka Sauna, one of the most fantastic and unique sauna experiences in the whole of Japan. This Finnish-style sauna is located inside a lovingly renovated kominka (traditional Japanese house) in an idyllic spot next to a river, completely surrounded by nature. Open all year round, arguably the best time to visit is in the winter when the area is covered in snow – there is no better feeling than emerging from the piping-hot sauna and then jumping straight into the snow and the cold river. Repeat the process many times for total invigoration!
After the heat of the sauna, take a refreshing dip in the cold river bath.
The staff speaks English, and the sauna is for private groups (of up to 6 people), so book ahead to experience one of rural Kyoto’s true hidden gems.
Luxurious lakeside sauna retreat
Enjoy the beautiful forest setting in Nagano Prefecture.
Nagano Prefecture is famed for its exquisite nature, world-class skiing and delicious natural produce, and just to the north of Nagano city is a wonderful area where you can really get away from the crowds. Mt. Kurohime is a distinctive peak with numerous hiking trails, and known for its summer flowers and autumn leaves. Around Lake Nojiriko you can find rustic sauna resorts featuring European-style wooden huts heated by wood stoves, creating an atmospheric and authentic sauna experience.
Each hut at LAMP Nojiriko Sauna is heated by a traditional wood stove.
After sweating it out in the sauna, you can cool down outside in the cold water baths, which use water from a variety of sources, including natural groundwater from Mt. Kurohime, underground water drawn from the river, or water from Lake Nojiri. You can even take a dip in Lake Nojiri, which is just a short stroll away. Pure bliss!
Purify your body and spirit and enjoy lakeside views.
Relax and detox in Japan’s wildest corner
Ryuhyo Drift Ice and scorching saunas await at Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort.
The Shiretoko Peninsula, located in the northeastern part of Hokkaido, is registered as a World Natural Heritage site and one of Japan’s only true wilderness areas, where brown bears roam freely, and Steller's sea eagles perch on lumps of drift ice in the winter. Situated halfway along this remote peninsula are the tiny fishing towns of Utoro and Rausu, and these are good bases for exploring all that the peninsula has to offer, which includes hiking, nature-watching cruises (for spotting wild animals, birds, and marine life), and guided sea ice walks in the winter.
Breathe in the fresh sea air while relaxing in the outdoor baths.
If you plan to stay overnight in the area, then many of the area’s hotels have wonderful hot spring baths and saunas, often with outstanding ocean views to enjoy as you bathe - most spectacular when the Sea of Okhotsk is covered with Ryuhyo drift ice during the winter.
Saunas in Japan: mixing nature and well-being
Saunas can increasingly be found all over Japan in a variety of settings, with some offering unique lodging options quite different from a typical hotel (there are now even glamping options!). So take a slow-paced trip around the country’s peaceful rural regions, where the saunas and stunning natural beauty of the Japanese forests, mountains and oceans will help to refresh both your soul and body.
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About the author
Author: Tom Fay
Profile: Tom Fay is a British travel and outdoors writer who has been living in Japan since 2007 and is now based in rural Kyoto. He is the author of numerous guidebooks to Japan and has written articles on Japan’s outdoors for various publications.
