Whenever I have free time, my mind inevitably drifts to one thing: saunas. This particular morning was no exception—I had the entire morning free, which meant my destination was already crystal clear. Shimanami Onsen Kisuke Hot Spring in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, was calling my name. My routine never wavers, even when I'm back at my parents' place: up at 5:30 AM for a morning walk and breakfast. By 7 AM, I was a free agent. Time to gear up and hit the road. Now, Imabari City is renowned as a tourist hotspot, especially for the world-famous Shimanami Kaido cycling route that draws visitors from across Japan and beyond. The thought of pedaling across the Seto Inland Sea must be absolutely exhilarating. Most people would probably think, "At least take in some of that legendary scenery!" But not me—I'm laser-focused on my sauna mission. After an hour of driving, I reached my destination. Ticket purchased from the vending machine, check-in completed. Since I'd arrived early, I scored the discounted morning bath rate—score! Upon entering the bathing area, I went through my ritual cleansing and conducted my usual layout reconnaissance. The facility seemed more compact than Matsuyama's sprawling complex, but this open space had everything a sauna enthusiast could want: carbonated spring, natural hot spring, jacuzzi, cold plunge, and two distinct saunas. I warmed up in the carbonated spring before making my way to the main sauna. Stepping inside, I was once again blown away—the interior was far more spacious than the modest exterior suggested. And beautifully dim, creating the perfect meditative atmosphere. I settled into a cross-legged position and slowly closed my eyes. Heat waves began washing over me, and the sweat started flowing freely. Just when I thought I needed that final push, the auto-löyly system kicked in. Massive clouds of steam erupted from the sauna stones while fans distributed the heat waves throughout the space, instantly cranking up the perceived temperature. The sophistication of this automated löyly system was genuinely impressive.

Post-sauna, it was time for the 16°C cold plunge. I took my sweet time letting the chill penetrate every fiber of my being. The beauty of morning bathing? Virtually no crowds—I had the cold bath entirely to myself. During peak hours, you're constantly mindful of others waiting for their turn to achieve ととのう, so you keep your cold plunge brief and considerate. But today? Zero concerns. With only three people total in the entire facility (myself included), I also had the outdoor relaxation area completely to myself. Settling into a chair and closing my eyes, I could feel my body practically singing with joy—every cell celebrating this perfect moment. For round two, I ventured into the "Cabin Sauna"—an intimate 6-person space with no TV distractions. This sauna offered self-löyly capabilities, and with the place to myself, it was like having a private wellness sanctuary. The moment I poured water onto the sauna stones, the most extraordinary thing happened: the entire room filled with the delicate, soothing aroma of green tea. I'd never experienced anything quite like it—utterly relaxing and uniquely beautiful. This wasn't just any tea, either—it was locally produced right here in Ehime Prefecture. There's something deeply moving about experiencing local treasures even within a sauna setting. It filled me with genuine happiness. Three complete cycles flew by in what felt like moments. Morning saunas deliver a completely different type of ととのう compared to evening sessions. Evening saunas are about healing, gratitude, and maintenance—thanking your body for the day's hard work. Morning saunas are pure activation: "Alright body, let's tackle whatever today brings!" I could feel each dormant cell awakening one by one. Energy surged through me. I felt capable of conquering anything, going anywhere. I headed home in the most euphoric mood imaginable. No detours, no distractions—just a pure, focused mission. Drive an hour to Imabari, immerse myself completely in sauna and hot spring bliss, then drive another hour home. Sometimes the most perfect journeys are exactly this simple.