JAPAN'S BEST-DESIGNED SAUNAS
Introduction
Enlarging a cramped sauna as far as possible
The idea of the 2023 work was to enlarge and improve the sauna section, which had grown old and cramped, as far as possible.
City-centre sento often have no room for a place to rest after the sauna. At Bunka Yokusen, what had been a car park was made half-outdoor and became the men's rest area.
01 · Sauna rooms
Expanded into the storeroom next door
The men's sauna was enlarged into the neighbouring storeroom. The women's sauna also grew a little into spare plant-room space and got a new interior.
The stove was switched from gas to electric.
02 · Rest area
The car park, now a half-outdoor rest area
The men's rest area was made from the former car park, now half-outdoor.
This open-air space got the most attention in the design; light comes in through gaps in the walls.
03 · Cold bath
Softened well water
The cold bath uses softened well water.
Its chiller-cooled cold bath has been popular since the 2011 renovation.
What is a chiller?
A machine that keeps water cold.
It holds a cold bath at a steady temperature. Bunka Yokusen's chiller-cooled cold bath has been popular since around the 2011 renovation.
