Long Lines for Chilling: Japan's Sizzling Trend

If you find a queue in the bathroom, you're undoubtedly in Japan.

Japanese residents probably know, but in recent years, Japan has experienced an unprecedented sauna boom.

Japan has a long history of public bathhouses, and with many hot spring areas, it's safe to say that Japanese people are particularly fond of baths. However, when it comes to saunas, they were used but not as popular until recently. The catalyst for this trend was a manga called "サ道(Sado)."

Before that, there was no set way to use saunas, and people would sweat as they pleased. However, "サ道(Sado)" introduced a specific method, and everyone started to follow it. This method involves alternating between the sauna and cold water bath in three sets:

1. Sauna (5-10 minutes) → Cold Water Bath (1-2 minutes) → Short Rest

2. Sauna (5-10 minutes) → Cold Water Bath (1-2 minutes) → Short Rest

3. Sauna (5-10 minutes) → Cold Water Bath (1-2 minutes) → Long Rest

Those who have experienced it will know that after subjecting your overheated body to rapid cooling in the cold water bath and then resting on a chair, you experience a unique meditative pleasure. The author of "サ道(Sado)" labeled this state as "Totonou," verbalizing the sensation. It became a shared experience, turning it into common knowledge.

With this standardization of knowledge, saunas became wildly popular. People from all generations and genders flocked to public bathhouses with saunas, often forming queues in front of the doors.

By no means is this queue a metaphor. When you visit popular facilities, you will frequently encounter actual queues. Naked men, holding only hand towels, form orderly lines and peek inside through small windows to check the sauna's scorching condition.

It is said that dopamine is released even before receiving the reward, which is the mechanism of addiction. This queue perfectly illustrates that phenomenon. Once you've experienced the "Totonou" pleasure that comes after the process of heating up and cooling down your body, just entering the scorching sauna room becomes a source of joy.

However, what is the source of this extreme craving? In Japan, camping also experienced an unprecedented boom around the same time, and the outdoor market rapidly expanded. Given this context, it's clear that a trend of returning to nature and reconnecting with the body is on the rise. Although this feverish trend may have already peaked, with new sauna facilities continuously opening, it seems that the demand remains high. Even if the activity itself is eventually replaced by something else, as long as the digital era continues to progress, the opposite side of the scale, focusing on the body and nature, will be increasingly sought after.

Finally, for those who are considering trying a Japanese-style sauna, let me introduce some basic local etiquette. Just following these points should keep you from drawing any frowns. However, even among Japanese people, there are many who don't follow them, so you may not need to be overly concerned.

1. Before entering the sauna, thoroughly wipe your body with a hand towel. It's annoying to enter the sauna with a dripping-wet body, and dry skin promotes sweating.

2. If there are towels or mats near the entrance, take one and place it on the seat before sitting down.

3. Before entering the cold water bath, use a bucket or shower located nearby to wash off sweat. This is the most crucial step.

4. Avoid putting your head under the water in the cold bath, as it's considered unhygienic when hair floats in the water. Overall, these are the main points to remember. Japan has public bathhouses almost everywhere, so feel free to jump into the nearest facility and give it a try.

Overall, these are the main points to remember. Japan has public bathhouses almost everywhere, so feel free to jump into the nearest facility and give it a try.