Just as hot springs are a cultural cornerstone for Japanese people, sauna is a proud cultural element for Finns. Most homes have a private sauna, and they use it daily instead of taking a bath. Currently, there's an unprecedented public sauna boom. Some are highly public, 'classic' styles akin to Japanese sento (public baths), while others are more like super sento, offering dining and relaxation for half a day. And of course, in the lake district, there are lakeside saunas at villas where you can enjoy the 'human-in-the-water' experience! This article aims to explore sauna culture and showcase the types of saunas available in different regions. Your next travel destination is Finland. Let 'sauna' be your travel purpose!

Witnessing the aurora, a marvel of nature, consistently ranks high among reasons for traveling to Finland. However, the aurora isn't visible everywhere in Finland; you need to travel a certain distance north from the southern capital, Helsinki. In this regard, Jyväskylä, located in the central part of the country, serves as a gateway for aurora viewing. If you're considering a trip to Finland from autumn through winter and into early spring, extending your journey to Jyväskylä might be a good idea.

Experience sauna in Jyväskylä at Revontuli! Beyond the lakeside sauna, smoke sauna, and jacuzzi facilities, you can also engage in activities like 'Sauna Yoga' and 'Whisking'.

Sauna Yoga, held in a tent sauna, isn't about attempting difficult poses. Its primary goal is to focus on your breath and calm your mind within the tranquil space of the sauna. It's by no means strenuous.

In essence, it's 'mindfulness' practiced in a sauna. Sauna and mindfulness are remarkably compatible. This practice instantly alleviates the idle moments spent in a sauna. I predict this wellness trend will catch on!

Similarly, whisking is a treatment for relaxation. It's a modern interpretation of an ancient custom in Baltic saunas where people would pray indoors. The practitioner recites prayers while gently tapping the body with a bundle of birch branches and leaves to promote blood circulation. It feels like a spa treatment performed inside a sauna. Highly recommended for women.

According to research from the University of Eastern Finland, saunas have been shown to reduce the risk of not only physical ailments like hypertension and heart disease but also mental health issues such as dementia and depression. Therefore, incorporating mindfulness elements into sauna activities is a perfect match.

After your sauna, gaze up at the night sky. In an igloo, you can watch the aurora while lying in bed. As mentioned in a previous article, an igloo is a type of temporary shelter. However, the igloos at this resort are magnificent, self-contained cottages. Behind the glass-ceilinged bedroom, there's a living space and bathroom facilities, ensuring complete privacy.

Revontuli – The Northern Lights Resort
Address | Revontulentie 1, 41500 Hankasalmi, FINLAND
TEL | +358-14-8448-200
https://www.revontuli.fi/en

What is Jyväskylä?

Located 270 km north of Helsinki, it is the largest city in Central Finland. It is known as the city where the world-renowned architect Alvar Aalto spent much of his time and where most of his works are found. It is also famous as the host city for Rally Finland, one of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) events. Central Finland, surrounded by abundant lakes and forests, declared itself the 'Sauna Region of the World' in 2015. Every first week of July, 'Sauna Region Week' features events at various saunas across Central Finland. Unique events include the World Sauna Heating Championship, where participants compete to heat a sauna the fastest, and the Sauna Marathon, where people enjoy 16 to 20 different types of saunas in a single day. The train journey from Helsinki to Jyväskylä takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Visit Finland is running a 'Visit Finland Sauna Campaign' until October 31, 2020. When traveling to Finland, please obtain a 'Sauna Goshuincho' (sauna stamp book) before your trip. Then, like collecting stamps, visit saunas across Finland and personally experience their charm alongside the locals. Just as Japanese hot springs have their unique characteristics, you'll find Finnish saunas to be vibrantly diverse.

What is sauna... How is it different from a bathtub? As you continue to experience saunas in Finland, these questions gradually become irrelevant. In Finland, going to the sauna is a given. You sweat it out in the sauna, spending time facing yourself and your friends. It's an act of releasing pent-up emotions and opening up your body and mind. That's why when you tell them, 'You can watch TV in a Japanese sauna,' they are uniformly surprised. 'What a waste of time!' they exclaim.

Why do we go to the sauna?
There's no particular reason. Because the sauna is there.

◆ How to obtain the Sauna Goshuincho:
Apply through the dedicated Sauna Campaign website, and it will be mailed to you later. Alternatively, you can obtain it from Visit Finland-designated travel agencies.
◆ Sauna Goshuincho Expiration Date: Until October 31, 2020
◆ Eligible Saunas: 100 selected saunas in Finland (see campaign website for details)
◆ How to Use: Collect stamps by pressing the sauna stamps, placed in the 100 selected saunas designated by Visit Finland, into your Goshuincho.
◆ Benefits:
① Receive a certificate from Visit Finland for 5 stamps
② Receive original sauna merchandise for 10 stamps
* Goshuincho and gifts are available in limited quantities.
https://www.visitfinland.com/ja/sauna/