Japanese Soak Tub
Japanese soak tubs are fast becoming the most popular Japanese bathroom accessory in the United States and Europe. Japanese soak tubs are starkly different from the lie-down tubs of the West. Unlike Western-styled tubs, Japanese soaker tubs are deep enough to soak your body from your feet up to your chin. Japanese tubs are used while sitting down, allowing your body to absorb the heat of the water for a relaxing and stress-relieving bath.
These soak tubs are known in Japan as Ofuro bathtubs. These Ofuro tubs usually have a seat installed. Soaking in these tubs is more comfortable because all you have to do is assume a sitting position and let your body absorb the hot water. With the water at your shoulders, your whole body will be surrounded with a soothing feeling. This is the reason why Japanese soak tubs are used in Jacuzzi spas and Asian wellness spas. If you have a sizable bathroom, you can install a Japanese soak tub in addition to your primary lie-in tub and shower. Remember that Japanese soak tubs are not ideal for washing your body with soap. Instead, the tub is best used by sitting down and taking deep breaths to relax your body.
The popularity of Japanese soak tubs is attributed to the ritual of bathing in classical Japan. For the Japanese, one must scrub the hair and the body clean before entering the Ofuro. Traditionally, the Japanese do not have a standing shower. Instead, they have a small room to wash themselves off with soap. That is why Japanese soak tubs are a necessity for the Japanese.
The traditional shape of a Japanese tub is rectangular, but the cultural transition to the West has made these tubs rounder. Some soak tubs have lids to maintain the heat when not in use. If the tub is small, each family member takes turns in using the bath, with the oldest member of the family first. If there are guests, they will be given first priority to use the bath. Larger soaking tubs allow family members to bathe together.
The primary material used in Japanese soaking tubs is Hinoki wood. This wood is found in rural areas of Japan and is very expensive to import. It is known for maintaining water temperature and resistance to rot and decay. The most common Japanese soak tubs sold in the United States and Europe are made of stainless steel, nickel, or copper. They are easier to clean than regular tubs, and since they are smaller, they are easier to install.
If you are interested in adding a Japanese soak tub in your home, you must consider the floor space of your bathroom. You also have to make sure that the tub will fit the people who will use it. The tub must have standard depth and width for one person to fit in. Modern Japanese tubs have heaters built into the tub and a thermometer. Unlike Western tubs, you do not have to drain the water every time as long as you use the tub properly.
