SpaWorld Showcases Japan's Evolving Sauna Culture

このページを日本語で読む

On March 14, a special performance event was held at SpaWorld Hotel & Resort in Osaka's Naniwa Ward, a popular attraction where visitors can enjoy baths themed around different countries.

The program was inspired by the German sauna ritual "aufguss," in which steam is theatrically circulated inside the sauna. About 1,300 people attended.

The event was produced by manga artist Katsuki Tanaka, who serves as a sauna ambassador for the Japan Sauna & Spa Association. According to Tanaka, "saunas are not just a passing trend—they are a cultural movement that aims to restore bodily awareness."

*Tanaka speaks passionately about saunas. (©Japan Forward/Mika Sugiura)*

Saunas as Digital Detox

Tanaka helped spark Japan's sauna boom with his humorous manga Manga Sado (The Way of the Sauna), drawn from his own passion for the culture.

According to Tanaka, people once experienced sharp temperature changes as part of everyday life. Before indoor baths became common, even a visit to a public bath in winter meant braving the cold on the way there and back. Today, with baths in nearly every home, the body is often kept in a constant state of warmth—blood vessels dilate in hot water and remain expanded in climate-controlled environments.

Compared with the past, Tanaka notes that cases of heat-related illness are increasing. In response, more people are turning to activities such as camping and sauna bathing to help restore physiological balance and overall wellbeing, often also as a form of digital detox.

"A sauna offers a rare chance to step away from the constant stress of information overload," he explains.

Japan's 'Totonou' Culture

Japan's sauna culture is rooted in a long tradition of bathing.

According to Tanaka, warm bathing practices were introduced to Japan alongside Buddhism in the 6th century, initially in the form of mushiburo, or baths in enclosed, steam-filled spaces. It was not until the Edo period that bathing in hot water became widespread among ordinary people. At the time, many public bathhouses were open-air, and bathers would naturally cool down afterward—creating an effect similar to modern sauna routines, even without cold plunges.

*An illustration by Tanaka used to promote the event. He uses blue to evoke cold-water baths.*

This cycle of heating and cooling closely resembles today's sauna practice. While Finland is widely regarded as the birthplace of the sauna, Japan has long had its own traditions of mushiburo. In that sense, sauna culture in Japan is not entirely new, but rather an extension of older practices.

Tanaka adds that the standard sauna cycle today—heat in the sauna, a cold plunge, and rest—is believed to help regulate the autonomic nervous system and induce a deeply relaxed state called "totonou," literally meaning "to be put in order." This sensation has become one of the main reasons for the sauna's popularity in Japan.

"At first, I described the pleasant feeling—like being gently brushed by a breeze—that comes after the heat-and-cold cycle as a 'sauna trance' or even 'sauna addiction.' But when I began drawing Manga Sado, I felt those terms carried negative connotations. So I started using the word 'totonou,' which was already familiar among enthusiasts and written in hiragana," he explains.

European and Japanese Saunas

Japanese saunas have evolved along a very different path from their European counterparts.

"In Europe, saunas are seen as part of the health and wellness industry, whereas in Japan they fall more into the realm of leisure," says Tanaka.

Japan also has a strong culture of creating entertainment—from anime to themed experiences—and it has brought that same approach to bathing culture. As a result, many Japanese sauna facilities feature televisions inside the sauna room, along with game corners and even manga libraries in other common areas.

*A heat-manipulation performance combining humor and music. Spa staff (left) also took part. (©Japan Forward/Mika Sugiura)*

In contrast, European sauna culture tends to emphasize wellness, quiet, and a more natural atmosphere, often avoiding artificial distractions.

"From a European perspective, a sauna with a TV would seem unthinkable," Tanaka notes.

That said, a shift is underway in Japan. Newer sauna facilities are increasingly adopting a quieter, more nature-focused style influenced by European traditions.

At the same time, Japan's distinctive, entertainment-driven approach continues to attract interest from inbound tourists. "These uniquely Japanese, leisure-style saunas, found nowhere else, are themselves a kind of cultural attraction for international visitors," he says.

Aufguss Masters and 'Neppashi'

The SpaWorld event brought together some of Japan's leading aufguss masters, many of whom have competed in world championships. In Japan, however, they are more commonly known as neppashi, literally meaning "heat wave master." So how do the two differ?

Watch aufguss masters and neppashi, including world championship competitor Ryuki Ikeda, show off their skills.

"Neppashi are a uniquely Japanese creation, shaped by a more entertainment-focused approach within sauna facilities. They swing towels to direct bursts of hot steam toward guests," Tanaka explains. Aufguss, on the other hand, originated in Germany and later developed into a performance art in Italy.

*Participants filming the aufguss masters on their phones. (©Japan Forward/Mika Sugiura)*

"Aufguss masters take on a more comprehensive role. They manage the entire sauna environment—adjusting temperature, humidity, and fragrance to create the ideal experience. Becoming a master also requires formal training," he says. "Rather than saying one is better, it is important that both styles continue to evolve in their own ways."

In recent years, more facilities in Japan have also begun offering "whisking," a relaxation technique from the Baltic states. It involves using bundles of birch or oak branches to enhance the steam while releasing natural aromas. This practice was featured at the event as well and drew strong interest from attendees.

*Participants receiving a herbal whisking retreat treatment. (©Japan Forward/Mika Sugiura)*

*Manga artist Katsuki Tanaka with bath master Yumi Takeuchi. (©Japan Forward/Mika Sugiura)*

Sauna Theater

Last November, SpaWorld underwent a major renovation costing about ¥1.35 billion (around $8.5 million), including the addition of a "sauna theater." The space accommodates up to 140 people and features aufguss performances enhanced with music, lighting, and visual effects.

"SpaWorld, with its globally themed baths, is driven by a spirit of wanting to surprise people," Tanaka says. "You wouldn't normally build a sauna that can accommodate 140 people. When a space becomes that large, you also need to think about the 'soft' aspects [programming and experiences], but they chose to focus on building the physical structure first, which is quite a bold decision."

He praises the approach, noting that once the "hardware" is in place, the "soft" elements naturally follow. The aufguss event held in March is one example.

*After leaving the sauna theater, visitors can enjoy three cold plunge pools set at 8°C, 16°C, and 20°C. (©Japan Forward/Mika Sugiura)*

The festival attracted dedicated fans, including some who traveled all the way from Hokkaido to see their favorite aufguss master, as well as an engineer who even delayed his return flight to France in order to attend.

Keisuke Iwasaki, president of real estate developer Hanshin Juken, which operates SpaWorld, commented: "The smiles, energetic momentum, and excitement are what define Osaka-style saunas. We hope to share this as a distinctive part of Japanese culture."

*President Keisuke Iwasaki (left) and Katsuki Tanaka. (©Japan Forward/Mika Sugiura)*

The Future of Saunas

According to Tanaka, Japan's sauna boom began around 2014. The Japan Sauna & Spa Association promoted löyly—the practice of pouring water over heated stones to create steam—helping shift attention from dry saunas toward steam-based bathing. At the same time, the spread of online information made it easier than ever for people to discover and compare different sauna experiences.

*Fans pose for photos holding merchandise of their favorite performers. (©Japan Forward/Mika Sugiura)*

So where is Japan's sauna culture headed next?

"As digital society continues to advance, there will be a growing desire for the kind of physical, sensory experiences that are being lost," Tanaka says.

"Traditional, leisure-style saunas in Japan will likely decline over time. Instead, we may see saunas integrated into more entertainment-driven environments such as amusement parks or even safari parks—places that attract large numbers of visitors."

In this way, saunas may evolve into a Japanese form of wellbeing that blends hot spring culture with a return to nature, leisure experiences, and renewed bodily awareness.

This report is published in cooperation with SpaWorld, a logo partner of the Japan Forward website Japan 2 Earth focused on initiatives to achieve the SDGs.