フィンランド式サウナでニセコ産トドマツ精油〜Cottage Bongo Niseko ロウリュでの使用感について〜

Niseko-produced fir essential oil in Finnish sauna ~Cottage Bongo Niseko - About its use in loyly~

Saunas have been getting a renewed attention recently. I want to go to Finland for saunas too!!

This time, we received information from an acquaintance of mine who had actually built an authentic Finnish sauna in Niseko and was using HIKOBAYU essential oils for loyly, so we went to interview him and talk to him.

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Table of Contents

1. What made you decide to build a Finnish sauna?

2. What is a Finnish sauna?

3. Introduction to sauna and loyly

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1. What prompted me to create a Finnish sauna?

The person we spoke to this time was Yohei Sasaki, the owner of Niseko's "BONGO Hiroba."
The family runs three log cabins, five glamping cabins, and one tiny house on property overlooking Mt. Yotei.


She married a German man last year and has just had a baby.
It all started when he came across a Finnish sauna while staying in Copenhagen, where his wife had an apartment at the time, to give birth.

Below, HIKOBAYU Sawada will write down the contents of the interview in his own words.
When I was in contact with a Japanese friend at the time, he suggested that I should study saunas in Japan since they were popular at the time, so I went to a few.
Then, his wife's Finnish aunt, a relative, gave him a copy of The Finnish Sauna Book (with an English translation), which helped him learn more about the structure, culture, and effects of Finnish saunas.
Since I grew up in a culture of building log houses and doing various DIY things, I planned to build it as soon as I returned to Japan, and completed it in one month after returning to Japan.
The owner has done a lot of DIY work, so the space he has created is so beautiful that it no longer seems of DIY quality.



2. What is a Finnish sauna?

After touring around various places, I learned that there are some places where you have to wear a swimsuit and some where you don't.

They pour water containing essential oils onto the sauna stones, explain the effects of the essential oils, and then blow steam onto you with a towel, adding an element of fun.

The temperature is a little lower than in Japanese saunas (around 70 degrees) and warms up slowly. By pouring water onto the sauna stones, the perceived temperature rises instantly and can be adjusted.

Saunas are located in great locations, such as by the sea or a lake, or on a hill with a beautiful view, and have become a popular leisure activity.

"It would be great if there was a sauna in Niseko, surrounded by the Shiribetsu River and plenty of nature. There are places like that, so I would definitely like to plan one," he said.

3. Introduction to sauna and loyly


Apparently, the studio was originally built by the previous owner for pottery making, and it has been reclaimed. There is even a hole kiln inside.

You can see Mount Yotei from the window, making it a truly wonderful sauna.



The heat source is a wood stove and sauna stones imported from Finland, and the firewood they use is one they have chopped themselves.

In the middle of winter, it takes about three hours to heat up the sauna, bringing it up to the ideal temperature of 70 degrees.

Once the sauna has warmed up, stay in for about 20 minutes, slowly work up a sweat, then repeat the outdoor bath.

When I tried using HIKOBAYU essential oils I bought at a roadside station for a sauna session,
I felt that the smell enhanced relaxation.
When you meditate in a sauna, your mood improves and your body feels more relaxed, almost melting.
Compared to other aroma oils that are easily available, the scent is not peculiar or heavy and is pleasant, making your sauna experience even more enjoyable.

I received a valuable comment. It was a learning experience.



In winter, you can also dive into the powder snow that is unique to Niseko.
He also suggested some fun things to do.
People from all over the world come to Niseko to enjoy the warming and cooling effects of what is known as the world's best powder snow. It's such a luxury, isn't it?

The sauna was currently built for family and friends to enjoy, but they are currently planning to build an even better one so that they can offer it to guests as well.


That's all.

 
The owner, Mr. Sasaki, who cooperated with us in this interview, will continue to post future information on Facebook, so please follow him there as well.

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