How to build the famous Japanese Ofuro bathhouse with your own hands

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Ofuro and furaco

Features of Japanese baths

Japanese baths Furako and Ofuro are designed to be used simultaneously or separately, it all depends on your capabilities and needs. When using these baths at the same time, the healing procedures first begin in the warm water of Furaco, followed by warming with sawdust and pebbles in Ofuro.

Furaco

is a large wooden pool with hot water. The water in it is heated using a built-in or external wood-burning stove. As a rule, it is installed outdoors. After a hot bath in the font, treatments follow in the Ofuro bathhouse.

Ofuro

- these are two cedar boxes, one of which is filled with sawdust, and the other with pebbles.

Benefits and contraindications of Japanese steam rooms

Procedures in Japanese steam rooms improve the functioning of all body systems: endocrine, genitourinary, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous.
Metabolism improves, immunity increases due to hardening in water, toxins are eliminated due to deep heating in Ofuro, the skin becomes clean and elastic. A person’s performance and emotional state improves. However, there are contraindications

: Malignant formations. Exacerbation of chronic diseases. Acute skin diseases. Hypertension, tuberculosis, epilepsy. Pregnancy and lactation period. Individual intolerance to the procedure. Children up to 3 years old.

Traditional Furaco font

Furaco
is a round or oval-shaped container with a partition; in one part there are benches, in the other there is a steel wood-burning firebox.
This modification of the furaco is called a font with a built-in wood-burning stove
.
There are also models with an external wood-burning stove
, in this case the internal usable space of the font is almost doubled.

It is recommended to heat the water to 40-45 C; this temperature is comfortable for staying in the barrel; it is with this heating that the maximum effect of the procedure is achieved.

A Japanese bathhouse is unusual for a Russian person. There is no steam room here where you can warm up thoroughly with hot air and take a steam bath. And there are no traditional bath attributes for us. It differs from the Russian bathhouse, but is no worse. The procedures here also heal and rejuvenate the body.

The design of Furaco may differ from one manufacturer to another, but the principle of execution remains the same.

In addition to hot tubs with an external or internal stove, there are models with electrically heated water

, in this case, electric heating serves only to maintain the temperature of the water already poured into the container. We recommend using a special lid to cover the barrel to retain heat; it can be wooden or made of heat-resistant material. It also protects the bathhouse from debris and dust during breaks between procedures.

In addition, you can order an individual design. The Furaco heated font is made of cedar or oak wood.

Depending on the size of the container, it can simultaneously accommodate from 2 to 8 people. To make it easier for you to decide on the size of the font, we have developed a table showing capacity depending on the diameter: For example, so that 3 or 4 people can comfortably take a hot bath, you need a barrel with a height of 110-120 cm and a diameter of 150 cm.

The procedure for carrying out the procedure in Furaco:

Slowly immerse yourself in the container. Water should be no higher than the level of the heart to avoid stress on the cardiac system. Aromatic oils and herbal infusions are added to the water to achieve maximum effect. After 15 minutes, you need to get out of the water and wrap yourself in a sheet. Next, it is recommended to rest in a lying position for 30-40 minutes to completely relax.

Bathhouse Ofuro

After bathing in Furaco, procedures are taken in Ofuro, if such a steam room is available.
Ofuro with sawdust

The warming up procedure begins immediately after placement on the sawdust; it is recommended to cover the entire body with them. The procedure time is 15-20 minutes. Hot sawdust effectively absorbs sweat, releasing beneficial substances to the skin. The essential oils they contain increase tone, strengthen the immune system, and improve overall well-being. The wellness procedure has a light massage effect on the skin and warms up the body. Pathogenic bacteria are destroyed, toxins and waste are removed.

Ofuro with pebbles

Sea pebbles heat up to 50-60 degrees. To avoid getting burned, it is covered with a sheet. Lie on the pebbles for about 20 minutes. To consolidate the effect, a general body massage is performed. And then, according to tradition, they drink herbal tea.

Note!

Periodic visits to ofuro make it possible to lose weight. This is due to both the removal of excess water and the stimulation of the breakdown of fat cells. It is recommended to consolidate the obtained result with a relaxing massage.

Examples of execution of Furako and Ofuro fonts

The Japanese consider the procedure of washing in fonts a ritual with which one can achieve peace of mind and tranquility.
The tradition of taking procedures in Furaco has also come to Russia. We want to show you how stylish and dignified this bathhouse looks on Russian soil. Below are photos of various models of Japanese baths from clients:

Interesting facts about the origin of the Japanese bath

Traditional Japanese bath

Why do you think Japanese bath art took a different path, radically different, for example, from Russian or Finnish? First of all, the point is the worldview of the Japanese, most of whom adhere to Buddhist philosophy. In the old days, organic matter was used to make soap - killed animals. Buddhists categorically did not welcome this approach and refused to use such hygiene products. But you still need to wash. What should I do? Use hotter water - it effectively removes contaminants without the need to use accompanying cosmetics.

Japanese bath - illustration of traditions

Women in the bathhouse. Unknown author. Late 19th century

Japanese painting – girl in ofuro

The spread of furako and ofuro was also facilitated by other features of the Japanese way of life, as well as the location of their country. So, in Japan there are many thermal springs. In the old days, this made it possible to build huge networks of baths, for the functioning of which free natural water was used.

Any steam room, and the Japanese one does not need an exception, has its own traditions, individual characteristics and rules of visiting. In the absence of knowledge and non-compliance with such, the furaco will become nothing more than a barrel of warm water, and the ofuro will become a bathtub filled with sawdust. We suggest you approach the process of preparing for a trip to a Japanese bath wisely - the more seriously you are informed, the more benefits you will get from the upcoming event.

Modern Japanese bath complex

Traditions and benefits of the Japanese bath

A private bath complex includes 2 main components:

• furako – a barrel with heated water;
• ofuro – bath with warm sawdust/pebbles.

Important note! In some regions, the listed containers have reverse names, i.e. the bath is called furaco, and the barrel is called ofuro.

A person immerses himself in sawdust after washing with water. For greater effect, mineral salts, oils, herbal decoctions and other similar things can be added to furaco water.

Immersion in sawdust - photo

The duration of stay in both furaco and ofuro should not exceed 10-15 minutes for experienced steamers and 5 minutes for beginners. In this case, you need to take a position in the barrel so that the heart is not immersed in water. A person without experience may begin to experience discomfort after just a couple of minutes - if any kind of unfavorable sensation occurs, immediately leave the container.

Illustration – immersion in a barrel of water

Furako in its traditional sense is not a bath that allows you to cleanse the body of impurities. Today it is, first of all, a place to relax, relieve stress and recuperate.

Japanese bath is a great place to relax

To ensure that the water in the Japanese bath barrel remains clean, it is strongly recommended to take a shower before immersing yourself in it.

It is recommended to take a shower before diving

Using soap in a modern Japanese steam room is still not recommended.

As for the benefits of traditional Japanese bath procedures, provided they are used regularly and, most importantly, correctly, the following beneficial effects are noted:

• normalization of heart and kidney function;
• increasing resistance to stressful situations and various colds;
• help in the fight against excess weight;
• rejuvenation and general improvement of the body;
• cleansing and normalizing skin tone.

Procedures in a Japanese bath are healing in nature

Going to a Japanese bath requires following a certain sequence. Be sure to read it and follow the recommendations received in the future.

The Japanese bathhouse ofuro is not just a tub of water, but a full-fledged set of procedures

Japanese bath procedures and their therapeutic effect

Unlike any other baths, the Furaco font does not relax, but rather tones the body. However, this is only in the first seconds, while getting used to 45-degree water occurs. In the next minutes, the body relaxes and you seem to dissolve in the bath, experiencing sweet languor and a feeling of real weightlessness. All this happens to the body because furaco:

• stimulates the functioning of the heart and kidneys;
• relieves rheumatic pain;
• restores immunity, promotes the removal of fats from the body;
• opens skin pores;
• smoothes the skin and rejuvenates the skin.

During a furaco session with sweating, a person can lose about a liter of fluid, which leaves the body along with salts, toxins and other harmful substances.

Ofuro bath with cosmetic effect

After taking a bath, the ofuro procedure follows. You lie down in the container and the bath attendant covers your body with a layer of warm sawdust. The temperature effect obtained here perpetuates the effect of the bath, with the only difference being that you feel the heat dry.

Ofuro procedure

This allows the body to get rid of toxins and disperse blood through the capillaries while simultaneously completely relaxing the muscular system. After finishing with ofuro, you will feel as if you were born again thanks to improved blood circulation filled with oxygen.

Before the bath and after the ofuro procedure, you should take a rinsing shower, after which it is a good idea to sit in the dressing room to allow the body to adapt to the normal ambient temperature and the lungs to adapt to the room air.

Decoration of the relaxation room in the dressing room of the Japanese Ofuro bath

As you can see, the construction of a Japanese ofuro bathhouse is in many ways similar to the method of constructing a Russian or Finnish bathhouse, with the exception of bathing containers and heated sawdust. Having such a complex at your disposal, you can not only improve your health and well-being, but also give such a chance to your household, friends and guests.

Steaming correctly: sequence of procedures in a Japanese bath

In a good modern Japanese bath complex you will be offered the services of a geisha (if everything is done according to tradition) or simply an accompanying person of any gender. The task of these workers is to explain to you the correct procedure for carrying out all procedures and provide the necessary assistance.

The master will introduce you to the procedure

First of all, after entering the bathhouse and undressing, you need to take a shower. Additionally, it may be suggested to steam your feet with further massage of acupuncture points.

Shower in a Japanese bath

Foot massage in a traditional Japanese bath

After the shower, the visitor is invited to immerse himself in the first furaco barrel with water heated to no more than 35-45 degrees. There are comfortable seats inside the barrel. As noted, the position of the visitor in the barrel must be maintained so that the water is below the heart, otherwise various negative consequences may arise in terms of well-being. After spending about 5 minutes in the first barrel, the visitor enters the second furaco with warmer (about 45-50 degrees) water. It is also recommended to sit or recline for 5 minutes. If desired and you feel normal, this indicator can be increased slightly.

If the guest is hot, wipe his face with a napkin soaked in clean cold water

Important note! In many modern complexes, in order to save free space, only one barrel is installed, the water in which is gradually heated using special equipment.

In parallel with the stay in the barrel, a person can be offered a massage of the face, neck and shoulders. The total duration of procedures in Furaco is rarely more than 15 minutes.

After getting out of the barrel and wiping his body dry, the visitor plunges into a large bath of warm sawdust (most often cedar). During this procedure, significant relaxation of the body is noted and sweating increases, due to which the steamer’s body gets rid of toxins and is saturated with useful elements contained in sawdust. The skin is rejuvenated and strengthened.

Dry steaming in a sawdust bath. Cedar or aspen sawdust is used mixed with medicinal herbs. Sawdust absorbs sweat well, and essential oils are absorbed by the skin. The wooden bath itself is heated

The bath is covered with a blanket to make the guest even warmer. Temperature reaches 60 degrees

For the best effect, it is suggested to lie in a bath with heated pebbles. A professional geisha or other qualified attendant will massage with heated stones, which will increase the benefits of visiting a Japanese bath.

Massage option in a Japanese bath

Massage with warm round sea stones

After completing the above procedures, you should rest for at least 40-60 minutes. The finishing chord is a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

The tea ceremony is an integral completion of bath procedures

Bath tradition ofuro

The ofuro bathhouse is a complex of, as a rule, five elements: three fonts with warm, hot and cold water and two oblong boxes for lying, filled with sawdust and pebbles.
First, a bath is performed in a font of warm water, then the person is immersed in a barrel of hot water, in which he remains for about 15 minutes. Next you need to take a plunge into the cold plunge pool.

The next stage is warming up the body in the bathhouse itself, which is an oblong rectangular box filled with a mixture of cedar sawdust and medicinal herbal infusions heated to 40 °C. During the procedure, a person completely relaxes, warms up, enjoys a stunning natural aroma and receives a portion of healthy phytoncides released by sawdust and the walls of the box.

Next, there is a second wash in the warm water of the furaco font, and then the person lies down in another box, this time filled with pebbles heated to 40 ° C.

The procedure ends with a light relaxing massage

Important features of furaco

As noted, the furaco is a kind of water barrel, with immersion into which the soaring ceremony begins. Most often the barrel has a round shape, sometimes it is made oval. The best wood for making such a container is larch, oak, cedar and pine.

Outdoor hot tub (furako) with external stove

Japanese heated font with internal oven

Oven in a container

Inside the barrel there is always a bench for sitting. Traditionally, the container has a double bottom. In the gap there is a special stove. There are also modifications in which the stove is installed outside the barrel, near the wall.

The water temperature in furaco is maintained at an average level of 40-45 degrees. To maintain the set temperature while there are no visitors, the barrel is usually covered with a special lid. Additionally, it protects the water from various types of debris, which is important if the steam room is located in the open air.

The container is closed with a lid

To maintain the water temperature in furaco, the following types of stoves can be used:

• wood;
• gas;
• electric.

Wood burning stove

As a rule, high-quality stainless steel is used for the manufacture of such stoves.

If you plan to assemble the barrel yourself, carefully approach the issue of choosing its optimal overall dimensions. So, for example, so that the container can comfortably accommodate 3-4 visitors at the same time, enter the following indicators into the design documentation:

• diameter – from 1.5-1.6 m;
• height – from 1-1.2 m.

Otherwise, when choosing the optimal furaco diameter, you can rely on the recommendations from the following table.

Table. Choosing the diameter of the furaco according to the number of visitors

Helpful advice! To prevent the wood used to make the barrel from drying out, choose a place to install the container that is not exposed to strong sunlight or any other heat sources. Also, to increase the life of a Japanese bath barrel, you should not leave it without water for a long time.

Do not leave the container without water for a long time

As for factory-made units, most often on sale there are models within the range of 1.3-2 m in diameter and 1-1.2 m in height. For the manufacture of walls, as a rule, wood with a thickness of 42-48 mm is used.

Japanese bathhouse furako 6-8 seats d=2200 mm

Blanks for assembling the container

Certain changes may affect the configuration of the Japanese sauna barrel. Thus, the standard equipment traditionally includes the following elements:

• container directly;
• a special stove;
• seats/benches;
• entrance steps;
• drainage device;
• cover.

Furaco set – photo

Additionally, the package can be expanded with the following elements:

• stand for food and drinks;
• all kinds of decorative elements;
• electric pump for water replacement, hose;
• various protective elements;
• thermometer, etc.

Photo of a Japanese bath

Furaco

The shape of the Japanese bathhouse Furako resembles a very large barrel. Real cedar or oak is used to make the font. Only mature wood is used; the most suitable age of trees is from 200 to 500 years. For bathing procedures, the Furaco font is equipped with a bench along the entire internal perimeter. The dimensions of the barrel can vary markedly; procedures can take from 2 – 3 to 5 – 6 people. A visit to a Japanese bath can be an excellent end to a business meeting or negotiation.

To heat the water, a wood-burning stove is used, immersed in a font. To eliminate the possibility of burns, the oven is fenced off with a wooden partition. Traditional Japanese baths were heated by a wood stove . Now such a stove can also be used if there are no difficulties with organizing a chimney or the bathhouse is placed outside.

For installation in an apartment, the hot tub can be supplied with an electric stove. The electric furnace is mounted outside, water exchange is organized using 2 pipelines - one takes water from the font, the second supplies heated water back. The kit usually includes a water heating sensor.

The optimal water temperature for a Furaco bath is approximately +40-45 degrees Celsius . To achieve the desired effect, aromatic oils and incense are added to hot water. Don’t forget about the cedar from which the font is made. When heated, wood releases phytoncides into the water, which have a restorative and tonic effect on the human body.

After heating the water to the desired temperature and mixing the necessary additives, you can begin the procedures. It is recommended to take your time to dive into the font. Sitting on a bench, you can completely relax to smoothly relieve tension from your muscles.

The Ofuro bath procedure is very different from Furaco . Ofuro baths are rectangular in shape and are filled not with water, but with cedar sawdust. Any filler is heated to a temperature of +45 degrees and a person lies on it. The main effect on the human body in the Ofuro bathhouse is of a massage nature. It helps improve metabolism and weight loss. The total duration of the session is short and does not exceed 15 – 20 minutes.

In order to make the procedure more enjoyable, phyto-ingredients can be added to the sawdust. This will add a pleasant aroma and make the bath procedure even more beneficial.

Modern Ofuro baths have a thermostat to automatically maintain the set temperature. In accordance with the Japanese bath tradition, a visit to the pebble and sawdust bath follows the Furako .

Where does that miraculous power come from? Of course, the lion's share of the work falls on natural wood and the stove, which, interacting, will make the water in the barrel exactly as it should be. However, we should not forget that ofuro appeared in the Land of the Rising Sun , where more attention is paid not specifically to the process itself, but to how it happens. Therefore, in Japan, taking ofuro is a whole ritual that can be successfully repeated at home. The most important thing to do is to radically change your attitude towards the bathhouse. We are used to the fact that the bathhouse is a reason to meet with friends once a year on December 31st. But a Japanese bath is a necessary, almost daily cleansing/healing of the body. The Japanese never wash in it; they take a shower before entering the pool, often wiping the body with a soft washcloth. Ofuro is designed in such a way that when sitting in it, a person relaxes as much as possible, and his body opens up for healing. Thanks to this, hot water (40-45C) will penetrate every cell of the body and leave its beneficial trace there. Hot water relaxes your muscles as much as possible and gives them real rest. After this, relaxation occurs and the maximum therapeutic effect is achieved.

But it’s not just the opportunity to relax that made ofuro so popular in Europe. The ancient tradition of the Japanese is not just a tribute to history, but also a remedy. Thanks to ofuro, you can forget about stress and stimulate the functioning of the cardiovascular system and kidneys. It will relieve pain from rheumatism and normalize metabolism. Doctors have noticed that regular visits to ofuro greatly reduce the risk of colds . Thanks to a sufficiently high temperature, waste and toxins are removed from the body through the pores, the skin becomes smooth and elastic, and extra pounds are “cooked” right before your eyes. A Japanese bath can bring a huge amount of positive feelings and physical health. The most comfortable time to take an outdoor water bath “ofuro” is autumn, winter and spring.

While taking a bath, it is possible to use various aromatic oils, herbal infusions, and sea salts rich in minerals. People who truly love their body and take care of themselves, after systematically taking a bath, will see and feel that ofuro is an excellent addition to the daily care of their body and spirit. After all, the Japanese believe that a healthy spiritual and physical state is inseparable, therefore ofuro also has a deep philosophical meaning. During everyday work, we are constantly faced with many negative impressions that weaken our state of mind, in other words, stress. Ofuro, as the center of interaction of the four elements, will strengthen the energy background and make it resistant to external stimuli.

Important features of Japanese ofuro

In its classic design, this element is a rectangular container in the form of a bathtub, made of cedar or oak (most often) and filled with special stones (pebbles, graphite) or sawdust.

Wooden containers for sawdust and pebbles

The heating system, as in the situation with furaco, is traditionally mounted in the lower part of the container. The temperature of the filler is maintained at about 50-60 degrees. To service modern ofuros, electric heating systems with additional elements in the form of a thermostat, remote control, etc. are usually used.

Heated container

Japanese sauna ofuro (furaco sawdust)

The parameters of this container are selected in such a way that the visitor can lie down in it, stretching out to his full height.

Sawdust of linden, cedar, as well as oak and larch are usually used to fill the bathtub. The total weight of sawdust in ofuro averages 40-55 kg. To maintain the maximum beneficial effect, it is recommended to update the top ball of sawdust after each visit to the bathhouse. To increase the effectiveness of the procedure, it is recommended to soak the filler in special oils and dilute it with a variety of medicinal herbs.

Sawdust with aromatic oils in a container

Important! Ofuro is made exclusively from wood. Metal, plastic and other materials cannot be used for this work.

As for the size of the bathtub, traditionally they are kept within the following limits:

• height – 1-1.2 m;
• length – up to 2 m;
• width – up to 1 m;
• wall thickness – 4-4.5 cm.

The power of the heater used is selected taking into account the size of the bath. Usually a 1.5-6 kW installation is sufficient.

Larch, oak, ash, as well as teak, pine and cedar wood are excellent for making the bathtub itself. In order to preserve the original qualities of the material and increase its service life, natural wax coatings are used.

Larch

Oak

Cedar

Ash

A few words about sento

There are also public baths in Japan - here they are called sento. In terms of its internal design, such a steam room is a large room divided into male and female halves.

Sento

Public Japanese Bath Sento

The main component of the sento is a spacious pool for several people, filled with water heated to 50-55 degrees. Before diving into the communal pool, each visitor must take a shower, preferably a contrast one. The maximum time spent in a warm pool is up to 10-15 minutes.

A modest public Japanese bath

Japanese public bath

After the “soaring” you can go to a special well-appointed relaxation room and end the event with a traditional Japanese tea party.

In modern Japanese baths, in addition to the basic procedures, a number of services are offered in the form of massages, all kinds of masks, healthy wraps, etc. With regard to this issue, each visitor decides independently, drawing up his own ideal weekend program.

Baths of Japan

Contraindications to visiting a Japanese steam room

You should refrain from going to the bathhouse:

• children under three years of age;
• pregnant women;
• patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, all kinds of infectious diseases and colds.

Now you know everything about Japanese baths. Enjoy vaping and stay healthy!

Interesting fact. Enterprising Japanese turned the ofuro bathhouse with sawdust into an ofuro bathhouse in warm volcanic ash

Currently, Japanese baths are the main link in large spa complexes. In addition to the usual procedures, you can order additional procedures such as massage, wraps, cosmetic masks.

Construction and finishing

Any construction begins with laying the foundation. For a separate ofuro bath, it must be calculated in accordance with the soil characteristics of the site and the climatic conditions of the region.

To build a Japanese bathhouse on a site with maximum cost savings, it is best to choose a pile or columnar foundation. The support piles are installed below the soil freezing line using concreting, backfilling or a combined method. The grillage can be made of wood, metal or concrete. However, the last two options can withstand a much heavier structure.

Pile foundation for a one-story log bathhouse

The walls and roof of the bath complex are made of various types of wood, but it must be selected, that is, without the slightest defect. Cedar and oak are best suited for this, but larch, pine and other resin-producing species are not recommended. In most cases, aspen, poplar or linden are used to decorate the walls of an ofuro bathhouse, although other hardwoods can also be used.

Interior design of the ofuro bathhouse in the photo

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The roof of the bathhouse can have an attic space, and its shape can be single- or gable. First, the ceiling is always erected and only after that the construction of the roof begins. Work can be performed both on the ground and directly on the frame of the building.

Furaco, that is, a font designed for 1200 - 1500 liters of water, will weigh 200-250 kg. The same applies to ofuro - a container for heating with sawdust. Together with the latter, she will weigh about three times more than an ordinary person. This, as well as all other loads, should be carefully taken into account when constructing the floor. In the process, water supply and sewerage systems, as well as heating, are installed under the main elements of the complex. All engineering communications, including electrical, are laid in accordance with current standards. And most importantly: doors and windows in a Japanese bath should also be made of wood.

Laying the floor in the bathhouse