In the previous article, we thoroughly introduced “The Sauna”! In this article, I will share all the details of my actual visit! By the time you finish reading this blog, “Visit The Sauna” will surely be written into your Japan travel itinerary! Let’s get started!
“The Sauna” is located in Shinano Town, Nagano Prefecture. If you are traveling from Tokyo, first take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station. From Nagano Station, take the Shinano Railway and get off at Kurohime Station. This Kurohime Station is the nearest station. The total journey takes about 2 hours, but the trip itself is very enjoyable!
This is JR Nagano Station ↑↑. There are many souvenir shops inside Nagano Station, so you can enjoy yourself just by being at the station. Take advantage of the transfer time to explore! By the way, there are no convenience stores beyond Nagano Station, so if you need anything, be sure to buy it around Nagano Station.
And here are the views on the way from Nagano Station to Kurohime Station! The scenery of the Japanese countryside is truly beautiful. Enjoy the breathtaking landscapes that you can never experience in big cities like Tokyo!
We’ve arrived! This is Kurohime Station. It’s a small station, but that’s also part of the charm of the journey. From here, you would typically take a taxi to “The Sauna.” However, if the weather is nice, walking is highly recommended! With Google Maps, anyone can walk there!
Walking through the fresh greenery is a delightful experience in itself. It takes about 30-40 minutes on foot, but it feels like no time at all! Think of it as a warm-up before your sauna session and give walking a try!
We’ve arrived! This is the accommodation facility “LAMP Nojiri Lake,” where “The Sauna” is located. It looks like a typical guesthouse, but when you look at the sauna area next to it…
Here it is! Numerous sauna huts and a spacious outdoor relaxation area. It’s truly a sauna paradise. There’s also a cold plunge pool! But the cold plunge pool at “The Sauna” isn’t the only option. You can also use Lake Nojiri, as mentioned in the name “LAMP Nojiri Lake,” as a cold plunge pool!
However, there are specific periods when you can enter Lake Nojiri. Additionally, there are rules such as not entering the neighboring property, so be sure to check and follow them carefully.
This is Lake Nojiri, right in front of the accommodation! It’s amazing that you can use this as a cold plunge pool. After the sauna, I wonder if I’ll be able to stand up! Hahaha.
Now, let’s go inside “LAMP Nojiri Lake.” As you enter, you’ll be greeted by a charming bar counter adorned with wood! After your sauna session, you can enjoy a meal and beer at this cafe. It’s absolutely perfect!
Next to the reception, there’s a well-stocked goods corner!! The merchandise here is also tastefully selected!! From sauna hats to original T-shirts, caps, socks, sandals, and more, it’s really fun to browse. I think I’ll definitely buy something before leaving!
Now, when it’s time for your reservation, head to the changing room and bathroom next to the reception, wash up, change into your swimwear, and head outside!! This time, I visited two saunas: Yksi in Building No. 1 and Kaksi in Building No. 2! Since I started with Kaksi, let me introduce it first!
⬛️Kaksi
This is Kaksi. It’s a relatively new sauna, but it’s already beginning to age beautifully. Being two stories tall, it’s a bit taller than usual.
I saw the illustration of Kaksi on “The Sauna’s” Instagram ↑↑ It’s really easy to understand. The first floor serves as a space for towels and such. The heat source part of the sauna stove is also on the first floor. Going up the stairs, the second floor is the sauna space.
This is the sauna area on the second floor. It comfortably fits around 6 people at most. It’s quite dark, which might not be clear in the photos. The only light comes from small windows, creating a very calm atmosphere. As soon as you enter, the unique scent of the wood stove tickles your nose. It’s quite hot inside, so you wonder what the temperature might be—checking the thermometer, it’s around 80°C. The balance between temperature and humidity is perfect.
When you pour water over the sauna stones, this small sauna room quickly fills with steam. However, as mentioned earlier, the temperature isn’t very high, allowing you to enjoy the steam slowly. While listening to the faint crackling of the wood, you can deeply and slowly reflect on your body.
This is without a doubt the best sauna experience I’ve ever had!!!!
The sauna stones are piled up as if there’s no tomorrow. Just a little water won’t diminish their heat. The view of this is also incredible~ It feels so good that I ended up staying in for a long time without realizing it. Now my body is super hot!! Alright, let’s go to the cold plunge pool!!!!
Here is “The Sauna’s” pride: the natural flow cold plunge pool!! It looks incredibly refreshing just to look at!! Be careful as there are steps.
When I visited in late May, the water temperature was around 10°C!! It’s quite cold!! The cold plunge pool feels incredibly refreshing, but it’s important not to stay in too long!!
Now, it’s time for the eagerly awaited outdoor relaxation time~!!
Outside, there are various outdoor relaxation spaces!! Anywhere you rest is wonderful, but for now, I’ll relax in a Coleman reclining chair!!
While taking a break, I looked up and saw this view… Could there be a better outdoor relaxation experience than this? I could hear the sound of the flowing river, the chirping of insects, and the rustling of young leaves in the wind. It’s a wonderfully soothing experience that feels mysteriously connected to nature.
Next, I will introduce Building No. 1, Yksi!
⬛️Yksi
As expected, being the first one built, Yksi has a lot of history. The years have beautifully settled into this log cabin. This sauna marks the beginning of “The Sauna,” the holy ground of saunas! Let’s fully appreciate this experience!
Inside the sauna room, a large wood stove sits prominently in the center. There’s an impressive amount of sauna stones!! The benches on both sides are also quite high, allowing you to directly feel the intensity of the steam heat.
It sounds like Yksi’s stove is absolutely impressive! The rugged design is too cool and playful, and most importantly, it packs a serious punch! While Kaksi’s stove offers a soft, gentle heat, Yksi’s stove provides a robust and intense heat. Preferences may vary, but both saunas seem to deliver an exceptional sauna experience!
And with this high-powered stove heating up the body, what’s next?
Diving into Lake Nojiri~~~~!! As you look up at the sky and float gently, it creates a sensation unlike any regular cold plunge pool—it feels incredibly refreshing, as if blending seamlessly with nature!!
The period when you can enter Lake Nojiri is limited, but if you have the chance, definitely give it a try!! Just a reminder, don’t venture too far into the deep—stay where you can touch the bottom and enjoy floating gently!!
Taking a break on a nearby bench… While enjoying this view and feeling the breeze, I sense my heart rate gradually slowing down.
Experiencing such relaxation was a first for me. It’s truly soothing. “The Sauna” is amazing!!
“Wow, it was so refreshing!!! Absolutely amazing!!! After enjoying the sauna, we had a meal at the café space and spent a wonderful time with friends.
How was it for you? I hope I could convey at least a bit of the incredible charm of ‘The Sauna’! It truly is a sauna facility worthy of being called a sacred place. ‘The Sauna‘ in Japan — you must visit when you come here!”
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