Just as hot springs are a part of Japanese culture, saunas are a proud cultural element for Finns. Most homes have a private sauna, and instead of taking a bath, they use the sauna almost daily. Currently, there's a booming public sauna scene. Some offer a communal, "classy" style akin to Japanese public baths, while others are like "super sento" (large public bathhouses), where you can dine and relax for half a day. And of course, in the lake district, there are lakeside villas with saunas where you can take a dip in the lake! In this article, I aim to explore sauna culture and introduce the types of saunas available in different regions. Your next travel destination is Finland. Let "sauna" be your travel purpose!

The typical Finnish way of enjoying a sauna is to sweat just enough to feel good, and they believe that cooling off by simply being in the fresh air is sufficient. Dipping in the lake or rolling in the snow naked is often a playful extra. However, if you've traveled all the way there, you'll surely want to try it! The authentic lake dip. In that case, you'll need to stay at a resort and rent a sauna by the hour. It's similar to renting a private bath at a Japanese onsen.

If you're looking for such a sauna experience, we highly recommend heading to Lahti. It's only about an hour away from Helsinki by car or express train, with frequent train services making it easily accessible. While it's a convenient trip, the lakeside landscape offers the quintessential scenery of the Finnish lake district. If you want to cool off your heated body with a plunge, you can do so by booking a private resort sauna in Lahti.

However, to be honest, lakeside saunas are designed for groups renting the entire facility, so it can be expensive for a small number of people. The ideal scenario is for multiple families to stay at a resort and rent a sauna for a set time. It's a family sauna vacation, so to speak.

Wealthy individuals from China are already enjoying these resort stays. Locally, there's a hope for more visitors from Japan. "Lehmonkärki Resort" is popular for its dynamic lakeside location. It features a "Glass Panorama Sauna" with glass walls offering views of the lake, a traditional "Smoke Sauna," and "Igloo Saunas" for smaller groups.

As the name suggests, the Glass Panorama Sauna has glass walls that allow you to enjoy the surrounding scenery. The photo above, taken through the door on the side, captures the lake right in front. The Glass Panorama Sauna is designed horizontally, with seating arranged in a line facing the lake. There's ample space, with room for about five people on each side of the central sauna stones. On the deck, there's a jacuzzi. This jacuzzi is kept at a lukewarm temperature, perfect for relaxing with a beer. While it might feel similar to an outdoor bath for us Japanese, it provides a pleasant way to unwind after the intense heat of the sauna. Jacuzzis are currently trending here, but for us Japanese, who are accustomed to soaking in hot tubs, it might not be as appealing.

This is a Smoke Sauna. A Smoke Sauna is a classic type that lacks a chimney and requires a process of thoroughly clearing out the smoke that accumulates in the room after heating the sauna stones. While it takes several hours to prepare, allowing for enjoyment of the sauna's heat for many hours through the residual heat of the stones, the far-infrared effect seems to warm the body gently. Furthermore, Smoke Saunas have no windows, only small light-admitting holes. Consequently, the sauna room is dimly lit, which enhances the sense of seclusion and creates a strangely calming atmosphere. It makes you want to fully embrace the luxury of doing nothing!

This is an "Igloo Sauna." Igloo means a temporary shelter. It looks like a unique tiny house from an animated movie, but opening the door reveals a small space, just enough for two people on each side, accommodating four in total. This intimate setting offers a sense of privacy and a wonderfully calming ambiance. Imagine chatting with close friends, losing track of time. It would surely be a lot of fun.

The accommodation buildings can be arranged according to the number of guests. Rooms with multiple bedrooms, a loft living area, a bar corner, and a cottage sauna are as glamorous as something out of a trendy movie, but simpler rooms are also available, of course. However, the interior design is unmistakably Nordic, with no detail overlooked.

Lehmonkärki Sauna World
Address | Lehmonkärjentie 260, 17320 Asikkala, Finland
TEL | +358(0)3-766-6330
http://www.lehmonkarki.fi
https://youtu.be/yUnUdwI-9sk

In Lahti, nestled beside the forest, you can easily enjoy a barbecue. The edge of town is the entrance to the forest, after all. Since you don't need to go out of your way, you should definitely make the most of it! For food, try "makkara," the soul food of Finns. Makkara means sausage. And the simple kind, with a texture that feels like it has minimal filler, is just right. Grilling it and eating it with mustard is the local way. Grill sets are scattered throughout the forest.

What is LAHTI?
Located about 100 km north of the capital, Helsinki, Lahti is a city of about 100,000 people. Despite being inland, its location along a lake blends the charm of a port town with abundant nature. It's also known as a sports city, hosting various international sporting events, including winter sports. It is also famous for the Sibelius Hall.

Details of the top image: The Glass Panorama Sauna adjacent to "Lehmonkärki Resort" in Lahti. The beautiful lakeside scenery unfolds through the glass.