The third day of my sauna trip in Osaka began with the best awakening. The previous day, I had an exquisite schedule with a visit to 'Osaka Sauna DESSE' in the afternoon and 'Naniwa Health Land' in the evening, so as soon as I lay down on the hotel bed, I was out like a light. When I realized it, it was morning. Having slept for about eight hours, I was in perfect condition. I had some time before breakfast, so I went for my usual morning walk. It was drizzling a bit, but that didn't matter. For me, a morning walk is like brushing my teeth. Once it becomes a habit, it doesn't require willpower. While strolling through the downtown area of Higashi-Osaka, I planned my day. I had already decided on the facility to visit in the morning, but I had no plans for the afternoon. Should I head home, or...? I was inclined to stay one more night. It's Sunday, so hotels are cheaper, and if I return home in the morning, I can still make it to work on time. Well, I'll decide after the morning sauna. I returned to the hotel to have breakfast, but the restaurant was extremely crowded. I couldn't hear any Japanese, only Chinese. It seemed that a group of Chinese tourists was staying there. I assume they were sightseeing at famous spots in Japan, but I wondered if they were enjoying the hot springs and saunas. It would be a shame to come all the way to Japan and not indulge in the country's renowned hot springs and saunas. With that thought, I joined the Chinese guests and enjoyed a delicious breakfast. I arrived at 'Hanazono Onsen sauna kukka' at 10 AM. Despite arriving at opening time, there were quite a few customers. Like me, they were probably there to enjoy one of Osaka's top natural hot springs and saunas. This day was an adventure for me as well. It was my first time entering a mixed-gender sauna. Of course, I was alone. It would have been more comfortable if I were with a partner or friends, but since I have neither, I had to go in alone. The reason I chose to enter the mixed-gender sauna on this day was that 'Hanazono Onsen sauna kukka' has a sauna I wanted to experience in the mixed-gender area. The sauna is called 'Sauna Kukka.' It's the signature sauna of the facility and boasts one of the largest capacities in Japan. It can accommodate over 80 people, and aufguss events are held using a giant sauna stove. It has been featured on the YouTube channels of comedians like Savannah Takahashi and Magu Manpei, and I had been curious about it for a while. Before heading to the mixed-gender area, I first enjoyed the hot springs and sauna in the large bathhouse. 'Hanazono Onsen sauna kukka' luxuriously uses its own spring water, which gushes from 1,000 meters underground. All the bathtubs in the large bathhouse use hot spring water. Even the cold plunge bath uses hot spring water. When I soaked in the source spring of the indoor bath, it enveloped my body with a melting texture. In an instant, all the tension in my body dissipated, and I entered a state of perfect relaxation. This is the power of hot springs. I wanted to tell the Chinese tourists I mentioned earlier that while touring temples in Kyoto is great, hot spring tours are also wonderful. Maybe it's none of my business. After warming up in the hot spring, I headed for the first sauna session. The main sauna, 'Sauna Hanazono,' is a large sauna that can accommodate about 40 people, with a massive iki stove in the center of the sauna room. It features a system of regular automatic löyly and automatic ventilation. The displayed temperature is 85°C, but it feels very hot. The automatic löyly increases the humidity, raising the perceived temperature. After sweating it out while watching a TV program projected on the screen, I decided to enter the cold plunge bath. The cold plunge bath felt incredibly refreshing. It's spacious and deep, accommodating about 20 people. The water temperature is set at a low 15°C, but since it uses 100% hot spring water, the water quality is very smooth. The melting texture of the cold water cools my body while providing a soothing effect. After the cold plunge bath, I moved on to the outdoor air bath, which was also fantastic at 'Hanazono Onsen sauna kukka.' More than 20 chairs are lined up in a spacious open-air area, allowing everyone to relax equally. It's a perfect design for sauna enthusiasts. For the second session, I headed to another sauna, the 'Self Löyly Sauna.' Unlike the main sauna, it has no TV, dim lighting, and a no-talking policy. It's a sauna designed for those who want to reflect in a quiet environment. I sat on the top tier of the three-tiered structure and slowly closed my eyes. After a while, an older gentleman poured water on the sauna stones, which was very helpful. I'm timid, so I don't have the courage to perform löyly in front of other guests. It's nice when someone else does it, saving me the trouble. The hot steam made me sweat profusely, and I tightened my body in the natural hot spring cold plunge bath. This completed the second session. For the third session, I finally used the mixed-gender area 'Sauna Kukka.' Since it's a mixed-gender area, I had to wear a swimsuit and a poncho before going. For someone like me, accustomed to the naked style of public baths, it felt a bit strange, but it couldn't be helped. In conclusion, I was the only one using the mixed-gender area alone. Well, that's to be expected. Mixed-gender saunas are meant to be enjoyed by groups, such as friends, couples (including affairs and same-sex couples), and spouses. I realized I was completely out of place, but I couldn't back down here. I entered 'Sauna Kukka,' showcasing the body I had honed through rigorous training. The dynamic of me among couples remained unchanged. However, I was more surprised by the size of the sauna room than anything else. It seemed large enough to accommodate 80, or even 100 people. It looked like it could host a comedy show. I sat on the top tier with a nonchalant expression, but it wasn't hot at all. The temperature felt around 65°C. For someone like me, used to hot saunas, it was as stimulating as a stone sauna. Upon realizing the concept, I had been in the sauna room for over 10 minutes, but my body didn't warm up at all. Regrettably, I decided to leave midway and return to the large bathhouse. I also felt a strong urge to leave the area quickly. Back in the large bathhouse, I got naked again. This style suits me better. I went to the Self Löyly Sauna and was able to fully burn out. I finished with the natural hot spring cold plunge bath, concluding my morning sauna session.

While enjoying a delicious meal at the facility's dining hall, I thought about my plans for later. It was 1 PM. I could return home as is, but the desire to continue the journey was stronger. Even if I returned home, I wouldn't do anything special until work starts tomorrow. So, staying one more night and returning in the morning shouldn't be a problem. Thus, I decided on a morning return. So, where to next? I thought of staying in Kobe, which has good access to my home. Speaking of Kobe, there's a hotel famous for its saunas exceeding 100°C and cold plunge baths at 8°C. Since it's Sunday, the accommodation rates were also cheap. I'll stay there for one night and enjoy the sauna tonight and tomorrow morning. Then, I'll return in the morning. A perfect plan was formed. The destination is "Sauna Resort Oriental Kobe."