Ideally, I wish to complete at least three sets of sauna, cold plunge bath, and rest at any facility, as I believe this is the way a professional sauna enthusiast should be. However, there are times when I can't even complete one set or am forced to leave after just one. Strictly speaking, I could push myself to do three sets, but sometimes an event occurs that makes me want to stop after just one. This is extremely rare, happening perhaps once in fifty visits. This is the story of such an occurrence. On this day, I enjoyed a sauna in Nara Prefecture in the morning, cried my eyes out at a movie theater in the afternoon, and was driving in a state of exhaustion. I thought I would stop by a sauna facility on the way home to refresh myself. The destination I chose was Natural Hot Spring Naniwa-no-Yu in Osaka City. From my prior research, I thought it was a wonderful facility, and indeed, the hot springs, sauna, and cold plunge bath were excellent. So why did I end up leaving after just one set? In conclusion, it was because there were too many people. Every bath in the indoor and outdoor areas was packed. Even when I chose the sauna as a last resort, there was a line at the entrance. There was nowhere to rest. Many wanderers like myself were also crowding the large bath. Upon closer observation, it seemed like groups of patrons were staying forever. Groups of five or six were gathered, chatting endlessly without moving. And there were multiple such groups. It was a very tough situation. For individual customers like myself, group patrons are nothing but adversaries, but for them, it's enjoyable time with friends, and I have no right to deny them that. Frustrating as it is, I had no choice but to accept it. Still, when would I be able to enter the sauna? While observing the situation, I washed my body three times. My skin became smooth as if I had exfoliated. I was taking an eternal shower. Finally, when the line at the sauna room disappeared and I opened the entrance door, there was a line inside the corridor. In front of me was the dirty back of a middle-aged man. I almost sighed, but having come this far, I had no choice but to wait. In this situation, I couldn't sit where I wanted and had to take any available spot. Such a sauna experience is very tough. I'd rather not have it. Just when it was my turn, it was the lowest bench. My routine is to sit on the upper bench, so I couldn't be satisfied with the weaker heat of the lower bench. I watched for an opening to move to the upper bench, but there were several people with the same eye movements as me (sauna enthusiasts), and I gave up on surpassing those sitting above me. By the time my body warmed up, I was already thinking it might be okay to end after one set. This conviction changed when I left the sauna room. There was a longer line than before I entered. If I rested and went for a second set, it would involve even more discomfort. I decided to finish after one set. The negative loop continued in the locker room. Due to the crowd, it was very cramped, and retrieving my belongings from the locker was a struggle. The staff were making mysterious movements, handing locker keys to new customers. Instead of doing that, they should have regulated entry at the entrance. As a result of allowing more customers than the large bath's capacity, many people couldn't even soak in the bath. Previously, when I visited a sauna facility in Tokyo, I was shocked to see them distributing numbered tickets at the entrance, but it's better to issue tickets and make people wait than to feel stressed inside. I hope the facility improves its management in this regard.

I wanted to rest around the reception area, but there were too many people, and it seemed impossible to sit. Looking towards the restaurant, there were noticeable empty seats, so I decided to rest there. I might as well have a meal before heading home. This sauna trip ended with a sense of frustration. However, I understand that not every facility can provide the experience I desire. Perhaps Natural Hot Spring Naniwa-no-Yu would offer a completely different experience on another day. But sauna trips are a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Everything is determined by the experience at the time of the visit. I want to continue writing about these real experiences. I look forward to what kind of sauna trip it will be next time.