Now is the time to enjoy "sauna travel". The charm of "sauna x travel" recommended by JAL Sauna Club

The knowledge gained from these activities led to the "Sauna x Travel" promotion project "JAL Sauna Travel," which won the 2020 "Saunner of the Year" award! In addition, JAL has been attracting attention as a leader in Japan's sauna scene, having contributed to the establishment of the "JAPAN SAUNA-BU ALLIANCE," a corporate alliance that aims to revitalize the business scene through saunas. In this article, through the voices of its core members, we will introduce the reasons why the JAL Sauna Club was born, the purpose of its activities, and the fun of "Sauna x Travel," which we recommend now more than ever.

The profound world of sauna begins with knowing the feeling of "totono"

"My first experience was in 2016, so I've actually only been a sauna enthusiast for just under five years."

These were the words of Takayuki Okamoto, founder (currently General Secretary) of the JAL Sauna Club and member of the Web Sales Department who planned the "JAL Sauna Trip."

"It all started when a friend invited me. Up until then, I only had the image of saunas as places where adult men gather to endure the heat, so to be honest, I wasn't very keen. But after he showed me the most effective way to use a sauna and I tried it out, I was instantly hooked." (Okamoto)

Okamoto learned that the "effective way to use a sauna" is to repeat the three steps in order: sauna → cold bath → rest (outdoor bath). By putting this routine into practice, his image of saunas has changed dramatically.

"After warming up in the hot sauna, I cooled my body in a cold bath, then went outside to enjoy the fresh air. My whole body felt so good. This is the state that sauna-goers call "totono." This feeling was just so good... I wanted to share this experience with as many people as possible, so I founded the JAL Sauna Club." (Okamoto)

At first, the JAL Sauna Club was a small voluntary activity with around 10 members, but thanks to Okamoto's passionate efforts to promote it, the number of members has steadily increased, exceeding 150 in January 2020 when it was officially recognized as a sports club. By October, the number had exceeded 300, making it one of the largest club activities in the JAL Group. Shojiro Ito (General Policy Center), who currently serves as Secretary General of the JAL Sauna Club, and Megumi Narama (JAL Brand Communication), head of the sauna girls, are said to be core members who received Okamoto's "guidance" and became fascinated with the charms of saunas.

"The first time we met, he suddenly invited me to try sauna bathing. It was so sudden that I initially declined, but I was seduced by his enthusiasm (laughs). If Okamoto hadn't invited me and taught me how to bathe in saunas, I don't think I would have become so into them." (Ito)

"In my case, my experience in an outdoor 'tent sauna' was what got me hooked on saunas. I was also very attracted to the format of a tent sauna, where both men and women can participate fully clothed. Incidentally, about 40% of the members of the JAL Sauna Club are female, and saunas are now very popular among women as well." (Narama)

Communication that spreads from the sauna. What are the possibilities for business and sauna?

As symbolized by the keyword "totono", which has now become a kind of buzzword, the greatest appeal of saunas is the ability to achieve a state of deep relaxation through a series of routines. However, according to Okamoto, the purpose of JAL Sauna Club's activities goes beyond physical benefits.

"As I became more and more into saunas and made more friends, I realized the potential for communication through saunas, as Narama pointed out earlier. There's a saying among sauna-goers that goes, 'In the sauna, you leave your clothes and titles in the locker room,' and in the sauna you can communicate on a flat level, without any hierarchical or hierarchical relationships. There's also no concept of upper or lower seats, like at a banquet (laughs)." (Okamoto)

"I think the advantage of saunas as a hobby community is that no skill is required. For example, to join other hobby communities, such as golf or musical instruments, you need a certain level of skill, but that's not the case with saunas. There aren't many things that anyone can easily join and enjoy sharing the same time and place." (Ito)

Taking advantage of these sauna characteristics, the JAL Sauna Club has set the keyword "Sauna Connect - Steamed, Cooled, Connected" as its activity theme. In addition to expanding the circle of interaction within the group, we are also actively working to promote interaction with different industries centered on saunas. A representative example of this is the "JAPAN SAUNA-BU ALLIANCE."

"Saunas, where flat relationships can be built regardless of title or affiliation, are also ideal as a place for business communication. This idea was the starting point for us to get in touch with several companies that are focusing on saunas and business, such as Kokuyo and Yamaha Motor, and launch the alliance in 2019. It has now become a large corporate consortium with around 40 member companies. We have previously held an event for businesspeople titled the 'Japan Sauna Conference' with the theme of business and saunas, and are also promoting collaborative projects between companies that are members of the alliance." (Okamoto)

In addition to functioning as a place for communication, the resetting effect that comes from going to the sauna is also said to be of great benefit to business people.

"You can't bring your smartphone into the sauna, so you can also expect the effect of a so-called digital detox. Relaxing in the sauna resets your mind, which is not only a great way to change your mood, but also helps organize your thoughts," says Narama.

"JAL Sauna Travel" to support sauna facilities and sauna lovers nationwide is now in full swing

Saunas provide relaxation for the body and mind, and also foster a positive community. The knowledge gained through the activities of the JAL Sauna Club led to the creation of the "JAL Sauna Trip," planned by Okamoto and others.

"Sauna lovers are creatures who travel. There are so many attractive sauna facilities all over Japan, not to mention the world. As JAL, we want to support all sauna lovers who travel to such sauna facilities. The 'Sauna Trip' project was born from that idea. Anyone who has once been hooked on the charm of saunas will understand that each sauna facility has its own characteristics, and it makes you want to travel to multiple facilities just like visiting famous places. We are proud that 'Sauna Trip' is a project that only JAL can offer, which can provide a means of transportation to travel safely and comfortably around the country, in addition to the wealth of information and network that the Sauna Club has." (Okamoto)

"JAL Sauna Travel" aims to provide authentic sauna tourism from Japan that is friendly to sauna lovers as well as beginners who are just starting to become interested in saunas. On the official website, you can refer to information on attractive sauna facilities all over Japan that have been carefully selected by the JAL Sauna Club. We will introduce some of them together with a recommendation comment from Okamoto, the general manager of the JAL Sauna Club.

●Shiroganeso (Hokkaido)

"This is a resort located at an altitude of 1,005 meters with a spectacular view, and is known among sauna lovers as the 'Holy Land of the North.' I especially recommend using it in the winter. When bathing in the open air, you can even dive into the snow. This is the best sauna facility where you can feel the great outdoors. It's about an hour's drive from Asahikawa Airport." (Okamoto)

Fukiage Onsen Recreation Center Hakuginso

●Yurax (Kumamoto)

"This facility is known as the 'Holy Land of the West.' The water in the cold bath, which uses Aso's underground water, is 171 centimeters deep (for men), and there is a device called the 'MAD MAX button,' which when pressed on the wall of the cold bath, causes a waterfall to fall from above. I think this is the most innovative sauna facility in Japan right now. It's about a 40-minute drive from Kumamoto Airport." (Okamoto)

Sauna and natural hot spring Yurax

● Sauna Shikiji (Shizuoka)

"This is the original of the attractive sauna facilities known as 'holy places.' It has many excellent features, such as a cold bath using natural water from Mt. Fuji that you can even drink, and a medicinal herb sauna, making it a place that sauna lovers want to visit at least once. Shiki-ji was the first 'holy place' I visited." (Okamoto)

Sauna Shikiji

Of course, there are many other attractive sauna facilities across the country, so be sure to check out the official "JAL Sauna Travel" website.

"In the future, we would like to offer tour products with options and goods that are unique to 'Sauna Travel,' and we are also looking to expand globally after the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, we would like to realize plans for sauna experiences that are not limited to sauna facilities, but are also outdoors, such as in tent saunas." (Okamoto)

Refresh yourself in your new lifestyle by taking advantage of the thorough anti-infection measures in the sauna

The JAL Sauna Club started as a voluntary activity for sauna lovers in the JAL Group, and has expanded into a wide range of activities, from forming a corporate community through saunas to planning sauna tourism. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, activities have been greatly restricted since the spring of 2020. Club activities now mainly involve communication on social media and individual sauna use.

However, the sauna club members hope that people will continue to enjoy sauna facilities and sauna trips, especially in times like these.

"The number of people allowed in sauna rooms has been reduced, and the equipment is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. These measures are in line with the guidelines * and there are no problems if used by individuals or small groups. The same applies to use on airplanes," says Ito.

"I think that many people are feeling more stressed than before. Saunas are a simple and effective way to relieve stress, so I would encourage even those who have never tried them to try them out, taking appropriate infection prevention measures." (Narama)

"As JAL is committed to providing safe and secure air travel, we believe that the wish and mission of the JAL Sauna Club is to provide a 'sauna trip' that is in line with the new lifestyle. We will continue to support sauna facilities and sauna users across the country, and hope to further spread the benefits and fun of saunas." (Okamoto)

The JAL Sauna Club is committed to continuing to actively carry out activities that are in line with the current COVID-19 situation, such as the new "Sauna Trip" project and creating value through business-to-business exchanges through the alliance. Even if you're not a sauna fan, we hope you'll keep an eye on their activities.

■ Coverage spot information
Tokyo Shinjuku Natural Hot Spring Thermae Yu

The location of this article is "Thermae Yu," the "home sauna" of the JAL Sauna Club. This spa facility is extremely popular among sauna girls due to its sauna facilities, location, and cleanliness.

"In addition to being conveniently located for members from the city center and its suburbs to gather, the entire facility, including the sauna room, is well-maintained in terms of hygiene, so we use it as the JAL Sauna Club's home sauna. Of course, they also take thorough measures against infection in accordance with the guidelines, such as limiting the number of people using the sauna room, so it's also attractive in that you can use it with peace of mind." (Okamoto)

"What's attractive for sauna users is that the flow from the sauna to the cold bath and then to the outdoor bathing spot is organized. You can get in the zone in a natural way." (Ito)

"I'm also happy that the Nordic Coral Light Lotion Bath, which uses luxurious ingredients that are also used in famous lotions, was newly installed in October. The cleanliness of the facility is also a plus point that makes it recommended for female users." (Narama)

In addition to the sauna, Thermae Yu also has a wide range of facilities for women, such as the "Beauty Support Lab" where you can enjoy smoothies and juices made with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. It's the perfect place for your first sauna experience.

Tokyo Shinjuku Natural Hot Spring Thermae Yu

Interview and text: Toshiro Ishii Photography: Masahiro Kojima

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