The sky reflected on the surface of the rice paddies .
Despite swearing a lot about the itinerary, I was of course looking forward to visiting saunas I had not yet seen. After conducting extensive research, Shibayama came up with a list of five saunas, each with its own unique characteristics, all within a realistic distance of each other. In this first part, we will introduce three saunas that specialize in "outdoor air bathing.
Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrace
(SHONAI HOTEL SUIDEN TERRASSE)
23-1, Shimo-torinosu, Beikida, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata
www.suiden-terrasse.yamagata-design.com
Single occupancy ¥14,190~ (Reference price based on staying in a twin room , without meals)
Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Designed by world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban, the SUIDEN TRRASSE was built as a "hotel floating in rice paddies. As the name suggests, it is a modern design hotel surrounded by rice paddies, as is typical of Yamagata Prefecture, a rice-producing region. Come to think of it, the "Tsuyahime" brand of rice that we often see in supermarkets and occasionally eat is also produced in Yamagata Prefecture. It is a strange thing to think so, as it makes one feel much closer to home.
I immediately took a look around the building and found a library with 2,000 books selected by book director Masataka Haba, a restaurant with fresh local food and open-air terrace seating, a bar, and a lounge, but I didn't think much of it and headed for the spa and sauna.
The purpose here is the Finnish-style sauna, which is so well known to saunas that "TTNE," led by the Totoe Oyakata, served as an advisor. They are available in the "Tsukihaku no Yu" and "Tenshoku no Yu," both of which were renovated in April of this year (men and women are interchangeable).
In the sauna room of "Tsukihaku no Yu," visitors can enjoy a self-launge using hiba aroma water. In addition, hanging on the wall is a wooden structure made of La France and cherries produced in Yamagata Prefecture. The scent of the wood fills the room.
The view from the water bath, the star of the show, was a perfect example of this location. The water bath is designed so that the water is almost at eye level with the surface of the rice paddies. The view from the water bath, when you are in perfect condition, goes beyond the rice paddies and makes you feel as if you are one with the earth. A little exaggerated? No, but once you reach the state of TOTONOU (revitalize), you cannot help but feel this way.
This alone is very satisfying, but the other sauna, "Tenshoku no Yu," should not be missed. From the wooden roof of the ceiling to the skylight, the chairs, and the water bath, every part of the sauna is hexagonal in shape, and it is called a "designer's sauna. Some of the chairs are movable and can be moved to any position. You can sit by the window and enjoy the view, or get close to the sauna stove and push yourself to the limit. Shibayama, who calls Chiba Prefecture's ultra-high-temperature strong saunas home, chose the third tier without hesitation. The self-launge massage raised the temperature of his body, and he enjoyed a deep relaxation for the first time on this trip.
The water bath is located right next to the sauna room. The ceiling above the water bath is open, so one can gaze at the sky. If you take the bath at night, you will probably be able to see the beautiful starry sky. The open-air bath right next to the water bath offers a view of rice paddies spreading out all around. The greatest appeal of "SUIDEN TRRASSE" is that you can feel nature from everywhere.
Incidentally, the temperature of the water bath is approximately 14 degrees Celsius . It is the perfect setting for toning up a flaming body. Although the water is tap water, this is Yamagata, a rice-producing region. Although it is impossible to say for sure, it is probably as comfortable as a natural underground water bath.
Unfortunately, it was a cloudy day, but on a clearer day, the surface of the rice paddies will become a water mirror , reflecting the surrounding scenery, creating a fantastic sight. . I would love to see it. I'd love to see it," he asked Shibayama, as if he were begging him, "Are you sure you don't want to stay the night? I asked Shibayama, but he brushed me off, saying, "We're going to the next destination. Hard-boiled, huh?
