"May I perform löyly?" you ask the person already in the sauna room. "Go ahead," they reply. You scoop water with a ladle and pour it over the sauna stones. "Sizzle..." Steam rises, and the perceived temperature suddenly increases. This moment of control is the allure of self-löyly.

Self-löyly allows you to perform löyly yourself. There's no need to wait for a staff-led event. You can do it as much as you like, whenever you like.

However, with this freedom comes responsibility. This article explains the correct way to perform self-löyly and what it signifies about the maturity of Japanese sauna culture.

The Luxury of Freedom

When I first entered a self-löyly facility, I was bewildered. "Can I really do it myself?" I worried about bothering other users. What if I failed?

But I gathered courage and asked, "May I perform löyly?" A man who seemed to be a regular smiled and said, "Go ahead, go ahead."

I scooped water with a trembling hand and poured it over the stones. The sound of "sizzle" and the rising steam signaled success. The perceived temperature soared, bringing a refreshing sensation.

"I can perform löyly myself." This freedom was more wonderful than I had imagined. There's no need to wait for a staff event. You can do it whenever you feel like "I want to do löyly now." This freedom is the greatest charm of self-löyly.

The Japanese Etiquette of "Asking"

However, strict etiquette accompanies self-löyly. The most important is "asking."

Before performing löyly, always ask other users, "May I perform löyly?" This simple question prevents trouble.

Löyly affects others because it suddenly raises humidity, which might make some people feel suffocated. Some might not like the heat wave. Therefore, it's necessary to confirm beforehand.

This "asking" culture feels very Japanese. In public spaces, consideration for others takes priority. It balances individual freedom with group harmony. Self-löyly embodies this Japanese value.

The Spirit of Sharing

In self-löyly facilities, there's an unspoken rule: "Don't monopolize," "Share," "Use an appropriate amount."

One day, I witnessed this scene in a self-löyly facility. A man performed löyly. Five minutes later, another man asked, "May I go next?" The first man replied, "Go ahead." Then the second man performed löyly.

This natural sharing. No one is forcing it. It's not a rule. Yet everyone follows this unspoken rule.

This is the beauty of Japan's self-löyly culture. It's free, yet orderly. Individual enjoyment and group harmony coexist.

A Culture for Mature Sauna Enthusiasts

Self-löyly tests the maturity of sauna enthusiasts.

If someone doesn't follow etiquette, the atmosphere quickly deteriorates. Overdoing it, monopolizing, not asking—such actions inconvenience others.

However, in many self-löyly facilities, such troubles are rare. Because the people who gather there understand etiquette.

In a sense, self-löyly facilities are "sacred grounds for sauna enthusiasts." A place where people who love saunas, follow etiquette, and respect others gather. There, even without words, mutual understanding prevails.

In self-löyly facilities, I feel the maturity of Japanese sauna culture. Freedom and responsibility. Individual and group. These balances are beautifully maintained.

If you experience saunas in Japan, I encourage you to try self-löyly. By respecting etiquette and considering others, enjoy your own löyly. This is a new way to enjoy Japanese sauna culture.