Compare common Japanese sauna types by dry heat, löyly, steam and mist, salt, far infrared, and outdoor styles. Learn the temperature, humidity, and feel of each, plus who they suit best.
Published: Oct 22, 2025
Compare common Japanese sauna types by dry heat, löyly, steam and mist, salt, far infrared, and outdoor styles. Learn the temperature, humidity, and feel of each, plus who they suit best.
Published: Oct 22, 2025
Japanese saunas are not all just hot rooms. They are divided into several types depending on how heat is delivered and how humidity is created. Broadly, there are dry saunas with dry heat, löyly that adds steam, high-humidity steam and mist saunas, salt saunas that use salt, far infrared saunas that warm you gradually, and outdoor styles such as tent and wood-fired saunas.
At the center of the difference is the balance between temperature and humidity. Even when you are still sweating, the experience changes completely depending on whether you are sweating in hot, dry air or in cooler air wrapped in high humidity. Knowing the types makes it easier to choose the kind of heat that feels comfortable to you.
In this article, we organize the sauna types commonly found in Japan by their features, typical temperature and humidity trends, and the people they suit best. Please note that the numbers given here are only general ranges, because actual temperatures vary widely by facility. For how to enter a sauna and the steps to reach totonou, see How to Use a Sauna for Beginners; this article focuses only on the differences between sauna types.
To help you understand the overall picture, we have summarized the main types in a comparison table. The temperatures below are approximate general ranges, and some facilities may be hotter or cooler.
| Type | Approx. temperature | Humidity | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry sauna | About 80 to 100°C | Low | Strong, dry heat. It takes a little time before sweat starts to flow | People who want classic sauna heat |
| Löyly (auto/self) | About 70 to 90°C | Medium to high | Steam raises the perceived temperature and sweating starts quickly | People who dislike dry heat and prefer steam |
| Steam sauna | About 40 to 60°C | Very high | You are surrounded by steam. It feels less hard to breathe | People who dislike high heat and beginners |
| Mist sauna | About 40 to 50°C | High | Soft, gentle warmth | People sensitive to heat and those who want longer sessions |
| Salt sauna | About 50 to 70°C | Medium | Mild heat. You place salt on your skin and enjoy the experience | People who dislike strong heat |
| Far infrared sauna | About 60 to 90°C | Low | Heat slowly penetrates deep into the body | People who like steady heat |
This table shows general trends only. For example, even within the same dry sauna category, temperature settings and humidity control vary by facility. Below, we will look at each type in a little more detail.
The most common sauna in Japan is the dry sauna, which encourages sweating with hot, dry air. The basic setup is to heat the room with sauna stones warmed by a heater or with an electric heater, while keeping humidity low. It is often set around 80 to 100°C, and many of the so-called standard saunas are close to this type.
Dry heat has a clear, defined feel, and you can directly sense the heat of the air on your skin. On the other hand, because the humidity is low, some people may feel dryness in the throat or on the skin. Since there are many facilities and it is easy to try, it is useful to understand this type first as a reference point.
Löyly refers to the bathing method of pouring water over heated sauna stones to generate steam. As steam rises, humidity increases, the perceived temperature rises, and sweating begins more quickly. The Japan Sauna and Spa Association also classifies löyly broadly into auto löyly and self löyly.
Auto löyly is the type where a machine automatically pours water at fixed intervals. You do not need to do anything yourself, and you can enjoy the surge of heat the moment steam spreads through the room. It allows many people to share the same experience at once, and it has been spreading rapidly in Japan in recent years.
Self löyly is the type where users pour water themselves within the facility’s rules. Because you can adjust the humidity at your own timing, you can shape the air to suit your preference. However, rules differ by facility regarding how often, how much, and when you may pour water, so you must follow posted instructions and staff guidance. For the cultural background surrounding sauna and totonou, including the practice of sa-do, see Totonou and Japanese Sauna Culture.
Steam saunas and mist saunas both warm the body with vapor, and both are lower in temperature than dry saunas. Even at lower temperatures, the very high humidity makes them feel warm, and you can still sweat.
A steam sauna fills the room with steam, so it is generally less likely to feel hard to breathe, though some people find the high humidity heavy. A mist sauna uses fine, mist-like vapor, and many facilities offer a softer sensation. Both are well suited to people who find high-temperature dry saunas difficult, or who want to stay inside for a longer, more relaxed session. They are also easy choices for people who feel dry heat is too much and think saunas are too hot.
Salt saunas are a distinctive type often seen in Japanese bathing facilities. Their hallmark is placing salt on the skin in the room and enjoying it as it dissolves with sweat. The temperature is not extremely high, and many are set at a mild 50 to 70°C.
Some people enjoy the sensation of gently rubbing salt over the skin and the feeling of exfoliation. However, if you have cuts or damaged skin, it may sting, and it can also feel刺激 immediately after shaving or hair removal. Rather than expecting dramatic effects from the salt, it is better to think of it as enjoying a mild heat and texture that is different from a dry sauna.
Far infrared saunas use far infrared heaters to warm the body, and they are often found in traditional health clubs and public bathhouses in Japan. Compared with Finnish-style saunas centered on sauna stones, they are said to warm the body directly and gradually rather than heating the air itself.
Humidity is low, and the temperature varies widely by facility, usually around 60 to 90°C. There are no dramatic steam effects, but they are comfortable for people who want to warm up slowly with steady heat. This is a long-familiar style, and each facility tends to have its own character.
One style that has become increasingly popular in recent years is the outdoor sauna. This includes tent saunas, where the inside of a tent is heated by a stove, and wood-fired saunas, where burning wood provides the heat. Their appeal lies in the unique quality of the heat, the scent of wood, and the sense of unity with the natural environment.
Tent saunas can be experienced by rivers, lakes, and campsites, and a major attraction is the freedom of stepping into the open air or heading to the water right after enjoying löyly. Because the experience changes greatly depending on the weather and location, it offers a different kind of enjoyment from indoor facilities. There are fewer of them than indoor saunas, but they are chosen by people who want to enjoy the sauna as a special experience.
One thing that is easy to confuse when sorting out sauna types is the rock bed bath. A rock bed bath is a style in which you lie on heated stones and sweat gradually, and it is designed differently from a sauna, where you sweat in a hot room for a short period. Because the temperature, posture, and way you spend time there are different, it is generally easier to think of it as a separate category from saunas.
It is similar in the sense that it is a place where you warm up and sweat, but the quality of the experience is different. For more on the features of rock bed baths and how to use them, see What Is a Rock Bed Bath?.
No matter which type you choose, there are some common precautions. Sauna rooms can become very hot, and heaters, lights, and glass doors may also be hot enough to burn you. The Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan has warned that accidents such as burns and cuts have been reported in sauna bathing, and encourages people to use saunas in a way that matches their physical condition.
In particular, for higher-temperature or higher-humidity types, it is important to avoid long continuous sessions and to hydrate regularly in order to prevent dizziness and dehydration. Because people feel heat differently, please treat the temperature ranges in the table as rough guides and enter the sauna while checking your own condition.
A dry sauna centers on dry heat with low humidity. Löyly adds steam by pouring water over heated sauna stones, which raises both humidity and the perceived temperature and makes sweating easier. Many facilities use löyly in the same sauna room, so it is easier to think of it not as a separate room but as a method of adding steam.
If you are not used to heat, it is easiest to start with a steam sauna or mist sauna, which are lower in temperature and less likely to feel hard to breathe in. Once you get used to that, moving on to a dry sauna or löyly makes it easier to compare the differences between types. For specific instructions, please refer to How to Use a Sauna for Beginners.
Both are low-temperature, high-humidity saunas that warm you with vapor, but steam saunas generally fill the room with steam, while mist saunas use fine, mist-like vapor. Mist saunas tend to feel softer in many facilities. However, names and specifications vary from facility to facility.
Salt saunas are a type where you place salt on your skin and enjoy the experience, but it cannot be said that you will definitely gain specific beauty or health benefits. It is better to think of it as an experience of mild heat and a unique texture, and to note that it may sting if you have cuts or if you use it immediately after hair removal.
It is generally treated as something separate. A rock bed bath is a style in which you lie on heated stones and sweat gradually, and its design and how you spend time there differ from a sauna, where you sweat in a hot room for a short period. For details, see What Is a Rock Bed Bath?.
Japanese saunas are diverse: dry saunas with dry heat, löyly that adds steam, low-temperature high-humidity steam and mist saunas, salt saunas that use salt, far infrared saunas that warm you from within, and outdoor styles that let you enjoy the sauna in nature. The key difference is the balance between temperature and humidity, which changes both the feel and the type of person each sauna suits best.
Once you understand the types, it becomes easier to choose a sauna that suits you not just by whether it is hot or mild, but by considering humidity and the quality of the heat as well. If you find a type that interests you, search for actual facilities from the facility list and compare the differences for yourself.
Japanese saunas are not all just hot rooms. They are divided into several types depending on how heat is delivered and how humidity is created. Broadly, there are dry saunas with dry heat, löyly that adds steam, high-humidity steam and mist saunas, salt saunas that use salt, far infrared saunas that warm you gradually, and outdoor styles such as tent and wood-fired saunas.
At the center of the difference is the balance between temperature and humidity. Even when you are still sweating, the experience changes completely depending on whether you are sweating in hot, dry air or in cooler air wrapped in high humidity. Knowing the types makes it easier to choose the kind of heat that feels comfortable to you.
In this article, we organize the sauna types commonly found in Japan by their features, typical temperature and humidity trends, and the people they suit best. Please note that the numbers given here are only general ranges, because actual temperatures vary widely by facility. For how to enter a sauna and the steps to reach totonou, see How to Use a Sauna for Beginners; this article focuses only on the differences between sauna types.
To help you understand the overall picture, we have summarized the main types in a comparison table. The temperatures below are approximate general ranges, and some facilities may be hotter or cooler.
| Type | Approx. temperature | Humidity | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry sauna | About 80 to 100°C | Low | Strong, dry heat. It takes a little time before sweat starts to flow | People who want classic sauna heat |
| Löyly (auto/self) | About 70 to 90°C | Medium to high | Steam raises the perceived temperature and sweating starts quickly | People who dislike dry heat and prefer steam |
| Steam sauna | About 40 to 60°C | Very high | You are surrounded by steam. It feels less hard to breathe | People who dislike high heat and beginners |
| Mist sauna | About 40 to 50°C | High | Soft, gentle warmth | People sensitive to heat and those who want longer sessions |
| Salt sauna | About 50 to 70°C | Medium | Mild heat. You place salt on your skin and enjoy the experience | People who dislike strong heat |
| Far infrared sauna | About 60 to 90°C | Low | Heat slowly penetrates deep into the body | People who like steady heat |
This table shows general trends only. For example, even within the same dry sauna category, temperature settings and humidity control vary by facility. Below, we will look at each type in a little more detail.
The most common sauna in Japan is the dry sauna, which encourages sweating with hot, dry air. The basic setup is to heat the room with sauna stones warmed by a heater or with an electric heater, while keeping humidity low. It is often set around 80 to 100°C, and many of the so-called standard saunas are close to this type.
Dry heat has a clear, defined feel, and you can directly sense the heat of the air on your skin. On the other hand, because the humidity is low, some people may feel dryness in the throat or on the skin. Since there are many facilities and it is easy to try, it is useful to understand this type first as a reference point.
Löyly refers to the bathing method of pouring water over heated sauna stones to generate steam. As steam rises, humidity increases, the perceived temperature rises, and sweating begins more quickly. The Japan Sauna and Spa Association also classifies löyly broadly into auto löyly and self löyly.
Auto löyly is the type where a machine automatically pours water at fixed intervals. You do not need to do anything yourself, and you can enjoy the surge of heat the moment steam spreads through the room. It allows many people to share the same experience at once, and it has been spreading rapidly in Japan in recent years.
Self löyly is the type where users pour water themselves within the facility’s rules. Because you can adjust the humidity at your own timing, you can shape the air to suit your preference. However, rules differ by facility regarding how often, how much, and when you may pour water, so you must follow posted instructions and staff guidance. For the cultural background surrounding sauna and totonou, including the practice of sa-do, see Totonou and Japanese Sauna Culture.
Steam saunas and mist saunas both warm the body with vapor, and both are lower in temperature than dry saunas. Even at lower temperatures, the very high humidity makes them feel warm, and you can still sweat.
A steam sauna fills the room with steam, so it is generally less likely to feel hard to breathe, though some people find the high humidity heavy. A mist sauna uses fine, mist-like vapor, and many facilities offer a softer sensation. Both are well suited to people who find high-temperature dry saunas difficult, or who want to stay inside for a longer, more relaxed session. They are also easy choices for people who feel dry heat is too much and think saunas are too hot.
Salt saunas are a distinctive type often seen in Japanese bathing facilities. Their hallmark is placing salt on the skin in the room and enjoying it as it dissolves with sweat. The temperature is not extremely high, and many are set at a mild 50 to 70°C.
Some people enjoy the sensation of gently rubbing salt over the skin and the feeling of exfoliation. However, if you have cuts or damaged skin, it may sting, and it can also feel刺激 immediately after shaving or hair removal. Rather than expecting dramatic effects from the salt, it is better to think of it as enjoying a mild heat and texture that is different from a dry sauna.
Far infrared saunas use far infrared heaters to warm the body, and they are often found in traditional health clubs and public bathhouses in Japan. Compared with Finnish-style saunas centered on sauna stones, they are said to warm the body directly and gradually rather than heating the air itself.
Humidity is low, and the temperature varies widely by facility, usually around 60 to 90°C. There are no dramatic steam effects, but they are comfortable for people who want to warm up slowly with steady heat. This is a long-familiar style, and each facility tends to have its own character.
One style that has become increasingly popular in recent years is the outdoor sauna. This includes tent saunas, where the inside of a tent is heated by a stove, and wood-fired saunas, where burning wood provides the heat. Their appeal lies in the unique quality of the heat, the scent of wood, and the sense of unity with the natural environment.
Tent saunas can be experienced by rivers, lakes, and campsites, and a major attraction is the freedom of stepping into the open air or heading to the water right after enjoying löyly. Because the experience changes greatly depending on the weather and location, it offers a different kind of enjoyment from indoor facilities. There are fewer of them than indoor saunas, but they are chosen by people who want to enjoy the sauna as a special experience.
One thing that is easy to confuse when sorting out sauna types is the rock bed bath. A rock bed bath is a style in which you lie on heated stones and sweat gradually, and it is designed differently from a sauna, where you sweat in a hot room for a short period. Because the temperature, posture, and way you spend time there are different, it is generally easier to think of it as a separate category from saunas.
It is similar in the sense that it is a place where you warm up and sweat, but the quality of the experience is different. For more on the features of rock bed baths and how to use them, see What Is a Rock Bed Bath?.
No matter which type you choose, there are some common precautions. Sauna rooms can become very hot, and heaters, lights, and glass doors may also be hot enough to burn you. The Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan has warned that accidents such as burns and cuts have been reported in sauna bathing, and encourages people to use saunas in a way that matches their physical condition.
In particular, for higher-temperature or higher-humidity types, it is important to avoid long continuous sessions and to hydrate regularly in order to prevent dizziness and dehydration. Because people feel heat differently, please treat the temperature ranges in the table as rough guides and enter the sauna while checking your own condition.
A dry sauna centers on dry heat with low humidity. Löyly adds steam by pouring water over heated sauna stones, which raises both humidity and the perceived temperature and makes sweating easier. Many facilities use löyly in the same sauna room, so it is easier to think of it not as a separate room but as a method of adding steam.
If you are not used to heat, it is easiest to start with a steam sauna or mist sauna, which are lower in temperature and less likely to feel hard to breathe in. Once you get used to that, moving on to a dry sauna or löyly makes it easier to compare the differences between types. For specific instructions, please refer to How to Use a Sauna for Beginners.
Both are low-temperature, high-humidity saunas that warm you with vapor, but steam saunas generally fill the room with steam, while mist saunas use fine, mist-like vapor. Mist saunas tend to feel softer in many facilities. However, names and specifications vary from facility to facility.
Salt saunas are a type where you place salt on your skin and enjoy the experience, but it cannot be said that you will definitely gain specific beauty or health benefits. It is better to think of it as an experience of mild heat and a unique texture, and to note that it may sting if you have cuts or if you use it immediately after hair removal.
It is generally treated as something separate. A rock bed bath is a style in which you lie on heated stones and sweat gradually, and its design and how you spend time there differ from a sauna, where you sweat in a hot room for a short period. For details, see What Is a Rock Bed Bath?.
Japanese saunas are diverse: dry saunas with dry heat, löyly that adds steam, low-temperature high-humidity steam and mist saunas, salt saunas that use salt, far infrared saunas that warm you from within, and outdoor styles that let you enjoy the sauna in nature. The key difference is the balance between temperature and humidity, which changes both the feel and the type of person each sauna suits best.
Once you understand the types, it becomes easier to choose a sauna that suits you not just by whether it is hot or mild, but by considering humidity and the quality of the heat as well. If you find a type that interests you, search for actual facilities from the facility list and compare the differences for yourself.