Underground spring-fed cold plunge bath Water so cool and mineral-rich it's drinkable These phrases send a huge dopamine rush to sauna lovers. Maybe because I hadn't seen such intense words in a while, I couldn't stop trembling when I found this facility. For sauna enthusiasts, the sauna itself is of course important, but even more so the cold plunge bath you take after the sauna; the quality of the water used in that cold plunge is the single most important factor in making the experience sublime. The facility I visited this time, Ito Hot Spring (Ito no Yudokoro), is located in Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture. The most noteworthy point about this facility is the water. The whole facility is designed around water. Pure natural water, called the "water of life," springs forth from the Itoshima ground, and that water is used not only in the baths but also in the restaurant's cooking and for drinking water. At that moment, my dopamine was overflowing. The facility's operation also pays careful attention to the environment. They introduced a chip boiler fueled by thinned timber and also utilize solar thermal energy, creating an energy circulation system that keeps CO2 emissions low. Many bathing facilities typically use municipal tap water and boilers powered by gas or fuel oil, so this approach is very progressive. Taste the water, harmonize with nature. That is the charm of Ito Hot Spring (Ito no Yudokoro). Now then, let's savor this exquisite water. After changing, I entered the main bathing area and found the cold plunge bath sitting at the center of the space. It's large enough for about ten people, with water pouring in from above like a waterfall. I could see a man who had just come out of the sauna entering the cold plunge. "This is the best! Feels amazing!" he muttered to himself. A few minutes later, I too would sample the exquisite cold plunge bath. I cleansed myself and finally entered the sauna. Ito Hot Spring (Ito no Yudokoro) has the following two saunas. 1. löyly sauna: löyly is generated by pouring water on the sauna stones at regular intervals. The room temperature is about 90°C and it's large enough for around 16 people. There is a TV. 2. Meditation Sauna: A sauna where you can face yourself in the dark. Staff members perform löyly here at regular intervals. The room temperature is about 80°C and it fits around 16 people. There is no TV. As a greeting, I first entered the löyly sauna to warm up my body. Up to that point it was as usual. Then it was time for the cold plunge. After rinsing off my sweat, I submerged myself in the natural underground water cold plunge. The soft water embraced me and offered a relaxation that made me want to stay in forever. As time passed, the feeling of refreshment grew even stronger. Whenever I enter an "exquisite cold plunge" made with mineral-rich natural water, my body always reacts the same way. I get a mint-like coolness on my skin. My skin becomes smooth and my hair turns silky. This sensation cannot be obtained from ordinary tap water. Tap water can cool the body, but chlorine treatment can damage hair and dry the skin. It had been a long time since I felt this. It's similar to sensations I experienced at Spa Alps in Toyama Prefecture, Sauna Shikiji in Shizuoka Prefecture, and Ogaki Sauna in Gifu Prefecture. I truly regretted having to leave the cold plunge. After the cold plunge, I moved to the outdoor bath for an outdoor rest. There were plenty of chairs for resting, and I could also enjoy a soothing view of the expansive rural landscape. After the exquisite cold plunge came an exquisite outdoor rest. The weather was nice, so I soaked up a lot of sunlight and felt so good I dozed off for a while. It was still just the first set. For the second set, I entered the Meditation Sauna. The instant I stepped in, my vision was taken away. It was shocking. It was pitch dark. I couldn't see even a short distance ahead. I had never experienced a sauna this dark in my life. There was only a faint light near the entrance, so I could tell I could sit in the space right in front of me. I sat there. After sitting a while, my eyes adjusted and I could vaguely make out the space. That was when I realized the sauna's layout and that there was one person already inside. The sauna room had an L-shaped layout and probably fit about 16 people. An iki stove stood opposite the L-shaped bench. Staff entered at intervals and poured aroma water on the sauna stones. Just as I was in the sauna, they performed löyly for us. There is only one thing to do in the Meditation Sauna: meditate. In such darkness you cannot see the face of the person next to you. It's the perfect space to immerse yourself in your own world and converse with your inner self. I press my thumb and index finger together, take a meditative posture, and focus only on my breathing. I often meditate in saunas, but in most facilities my concentration breaks at some point. The atmosphere and worldview of the sauna change the quality of the experience. The Meditation Sauna at Ito Hot Spring (Ito no Yudokoro) allowed me to have the best meditation I've had to date. After that, I returned to the exquisite cold plunge and then did an outdoor rest in the open-air bath while basking in the sun. In the end, that day I repeated the sauna → cold plunge bath → outdoor rest cycle mindlessly five times.

After the sauna, it's time for a delicious meal. There is a restaurant in the facility called Ito Dining. They serve handmade dishes using local ingredients. It seems they also offer seasonal specialty dishes, showing their dedication to food. The moment I entered the restaurant, I was surprised by the beautiful view. You can dine while enjoying a panoramic view of the rural area and the mountains beyond, similar to what you see from the outdoor bath. There are also terrace seats, and if the temperature rises, dining on the terrace would be wonderful. Not only are the baths excellent, but the quality of the restaurant and the rest areas is top-level, and I left the facility wrapped in enormous happiness. Now I'm heading to Saga Prefecture. There are several facilities in Saga that sauna lovers across Japan pay attention to. This time I plan to visit all of the representative facilities. The first of them I'm about to visit is Saga Bathhouse KOMOREBI in Saga City, Saga Prefecture.