There is a sauna where you can experience the ultimate feeling of “totonou” while gazing at the spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea.
It is “Float Sauna” (Fuu Sauna), located inside DENIM HOSTEL float.
From the scenery to everything from arrival to departure, every experience is unique to Float Sauna.
Since opening, it has continued to gain fans.
We visited to find out what special experiences it offers, and the thoughts behind them.
The information provided was current when this article was published in June 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is Float Sauna?
Float Sauna is a sauna facility inside DENIM HOSTEL float in Kojima, Kurashiki City.
It opened on March 7, 2022 (Sauna Day).
There are four 90-minute sessions per day, with reservations available for up to four people. (Reservations required.)
As the sauna is not exclusively reserved, if you book for fewer than four people, you may share the sauna with other guests.
At the facility reception, you will be asked to fill out a sauna check-in form and shown where to change, so be sure to arrive 10 minutes before your session starts.
When people hear “sauna,” many may picture one inside a hot spring facility, but Float Sauna is outdoors.
Another distinctive feature is that it is cylindrical, rather than box-shaped.
There is also a cold bath and an outdoor relaxation area, where you can feel the fresh air of the Seto Inland Sea and Ojigadake Hill with your whole body.
What is a barrel sauna?
The cylindrical sauna experience at Float Sauna is called a “barrel sauna.”
“Barrel” means a cask.
A barrel sauna is a sauna with a stove installed in a wooden, barrel-shaped structure.
Although this shape is not often seen in Japan, it is a common type of sauna in sauna-loving countries such as Finland.
The barrel sauna used at Float Sauna is made in Estonia and supplied by totonou Japan Co., Ltd..
Estonia, like Finland, is also a sauna-loving country.
Compared with box-shaped saunas (cabin saunas), cylindrical barrel saunas have the advantage that heat circulates more easily when you pour water over the stones.
You can enjoy a pleasant experience and work up a good sweat in a short time.
We’ll explain why they chose an Estonian barrel sauna in the interview later in the article.
A range of “totonou” experiences you can only enjoy at Float Sauna
You’ll never forget the view of the Seto Inland Sea from Float Sauna.
But there are many other experiences you can only enjoy here.
Here are some of the “totonou” experiences unique to Float Sauna.
Item rentals, including denim swimsuits and sauna hats
As Float Sauna is an outdoor facility and generally mixed-gender, wearing a swimsuit is required.
You can bring your own, but we recommend renting swimsuits and items from ITONAMI.
| Item | Type | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon denim swimsuit | Men’s: S, M, L, XL Women’s: S, M | ¥500 |
| Organic bath towel | Ivory | ¥300 |
| Denim sauna hat | Type A (nylon denim) Type B (denim made from collected, unwanted denim and recycled) | ¥300 |
| Versatile poncho | Blue, gray | ¥500 |
ITONAMI Co., Ltd. (Itonami), which operates Float Sauna, also runs the apparel brand “ITONAMI.”
Most of the items available to rent at Float Sauna are made by ITONAMI.
The swimsuit and sauna hat are made with denim, offering an experience unique to Kojima, Kurashiki City, a denim-producing area.
Why not get ready to reach “totonou” with items thoughtfully made right here?
Self-aufguss with scents that change with the seasons
After changing into your swimsuit and checking in, it’s finally time to head to Float Sauna.
When you open the door, you’ll be overwhelmed by the spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea, like a painting.
As you gaze at the magnificent Seto Inland Sea, be sure to try “self-aufguss” when the time is right.
Aufguss is the act of pouring water over heated sauna stones to produce steam.
It helps raise the room temperature, and bathing in the steam encourages sweating.
The water used for self-aufguss at Float Sauna is aroma-infused water that changes with the seasons.
At the time of our visit, it was the cola-aufguss season, but they have also offered mandarin orange and cacao aufguss in the past.
You can check the types of aufguss on Float Sauna’s Instagram.
A Shigaraki ware tub for the cold bath
After sweating in the sauna for about 10 minutes, step outside and head to the cold bath on the left.
The cold bath feels exceptional after experiencing the barrel sauna with all five senses.
The cold bath tub is made of Shigaraki ware, designed specifically for Float Sauna.
From the tub, which is just the right size for one adult, you can of course see the Seto Inland Sea.
After bathing your whole body in steam, reset your body in the cold bath.
Outdoor relaxation in the shade, listening to the waves
After the cold plunge, it’s time to enjoy relaxing outdoors in one of the infinity chairs lined up nearby.
Slide the chair back and recline, and you’ll feel even more comfortable.
There’s a large tree right beside the outdoor relaxation area, so you can spend some time “getting in the zone” in its shade.
Close your eyes and listen carefully, and you’ll hear the sound of the waves and the leaves rustling in the breeze.
Relax outdoors and awaken all five senses to experience the ultimate state of “totonou.”
After spending your allotted time getting in the zone, head to the shower room.
Wash off the sweat and leave the Floating Sauna feeling refreshed.
After getting in the zone, enjoy original sauna meals and drinks
After fully enjoying the Floating Sauna for 90 minutes, there’s still more to look forward to.
Be sure to try the original sauna meals (food eaten after a sauna) and drinks.
The sauna meal menu features the classic keema curry, as well as seasonal specials depending on the time of year.
When we visited, milt mapo tofu rice bowl was on the menu.
After working up a sweat and burning energy, why not enjoy a meal that only people who have experienced the Floating Sauna can try?
You can also enjoy the Floating Sauna experience through its drinks.
They offer drinks inspired by the aromatic water.
When we visited, they recommended the “craft cola float,” inspired by the cola löyly season.
The craft cola float is available as a regular menu item at pile, the restaurant inside DENIM HOSTEL float.
At the Floating Sauna, the “getting in the zone” experience includes not only time in the sauna, but also renting a swimsuit and enjoying food and drinks.
The person behind the Floating Sauna’s focus on this kind of “experience” is ITONAMI Co., Ltd. President and CEO Shimada Shunsuke.
The Estonian barrel sauna is provided by totonou Japan Co., Ltd. Director Kimura Shin.
We spoke with the two people who created the Floating Sauna about its origins and their commitment to the experience.
Floating Sauna Information
| Name | Floating Sauna |
|---|---|
| Location | 1421-26 Kojima Karakoto-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 080-3885-3737 (DENIM HOSTEL float: 086-477-7620) |
| Parking | Available Free municipal parking for about 40 cars is available at the bottom of the hill |
| Hours | [Mixed-Gender Sauna, 90-minute course] 9:30 a.m. / 11:30 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. / 3:30 p.m. / 5:30 p.m. [Women-Only Sauna, 90-minute course] Held irregularly [Private Sauna for Two, 90-minute course] Weekdays only, held irregularly [FRYDAY NIGHT SAUNA, 90-minute course] 7:30 p.m. *Mixed-gender Please check Instagram for details. |
| Closed | None |
| Fees (tax included) | [Mixed-Gender Sauna, 90-minute course] ¥2,200 (tax included) [Women-Only Sauna, 90-minute course] ¥2,200 (tax included) [Private Sauna for Two, 90-minute course] ¥6,000 (tax included) [FRYDAY NIGHT SAUNA, 90-minute course] ¥3,000 (tax included) |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Please call during reception hours to make any changes to or cancel a reservation. Reception hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Floating Sauna |
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