「Ogaki Sauna (Return Visit)」 Experience Story

When approaching life's final chapter, I wonder how I'd spend my remaining time and money. My ideal vision: arriving at Ogaki Sauna every day at 11:00 AM opening, enjoying three perfect sets of sauna and that exquisite cold bath. When hunger strikes, heading upstairs to dine and drink with fellow enthusiasts. Then reclining for an afternoon nap until satisfied. Upon waking, another round of sauna and cold bath to realign my body before heading home. After dinner at home, falling asleep thinking, "If I'm lucky enough to wake up tomorrow, I can return to Ogaki Sauna again." Repeating this cycle until my final day. Visiting "Ogaki Sauna" always sparks such fantasies. I want to end my life at this ultimate sauna. This day, I traveled from Kakamigahara City to Ogaki City. Following the bypass eternally westward from Kakamigahara leads straight to Ogaki. Having visited once before, I reached Ogaki Station without navigation. With time before Ogaki Sauna's opening, I parked in a nearby multi-story garage and decided to explore the city on foot. Ogaki City has natural spring points throughout—known as the "Water Capital" with year-round 14°C drinkable water flowing abundantly. Even if I lost my job and became homeless, coming to Ogaki would sustain life with its water supply. Amusing myself with such absurd thoughts, I walked until reaching Ogaki Hachiman Shrine. During my prayers, I expressed gratitude for returning to Ogaki again. Finding spring water near the shrine entrance, I cupped it in both hands and drank. Truly delicious—pure water nurtured by rich earth. I felt my body being purified from within. Living in Ogaki City would mean morning walks visiting spring points, hydrating with delicious water—what a perfect life. As my city stroll continued, Ogaki Sauna's opening time arrived. I drove to my destination. Unlike my previous train and taxi visit, this car journey felt fresh. Parking and gazing up at the Ogaki Sauna building, joy welled up inside me, causing an involuntary grin. I'd returned to this sacred ground. Time to fully indulge in this beloved facility's sauna, cold bath, and delicious food before departing. Entering, staff greeted me with smiles. I handed over my shoes at the counter and received a locker key. Being my second visit, I knew the layout and moved more smoothly to the bathhouse than before. Inside, familiar sights welcomed me: the simple composition of sauna room, cold bath, and bubble bath. No outdoor bathing or reclining chairs. Yet Ogaki Sauna's greatness lies in providing life's ultimate totonou experience. After cleansing myself, I warmed up in the bubble bath before doing a "water pass" in the cold bath. The moment I entered, my body melted into blissful sensation—like being gently embraced. The 14°C temperature felt completely imperceptible, replaced by pure comfort. Strangely, I could stay indefinitely. Without even completing my first sauna set, this refreshing sensation was extraordinary. Simply sitting on a chair while drying off, totonou time had already arrived. Here, there's no need to compete with yourself. The pleasure was so overwhelming I couldn't move for a while. Finally regaining composure, I entered my first sauna set. The same old-school intense sauna as before, with the thermometer reading 110°C. However, the high humidity eliminated any pain or breathlessness, allowing concentrated sweating. Enduring the sauna heat, I repeatedly read Ogaki Sauna's famous "We Sauna People" manifesto: Sauna is favored by nature lovers. Sauna seems to possess wild charm. Sauna sometimes evokes wanderlust. Somehow, capable people prefer sauna. Sauna suits those who contemplate tomorrow. Sauna exists for life's enjoyment. Yet no one who enters sauna becomes arrogant. Rereading this repeatedly, I approached my limit. Cold bath time. Exiting the sauna, rinsing off sweat, I surrendered my entire body to the flowing groundwater cold bath. Once again, the groundwater gently caressed my body, delivering supreme refreshment. Moving to where the flowing water emerged, I drank the sacred groundwater cooling my body from within. Becoming one with the water for a while, drinking once more before sitting on a chair. As I wrote in my previous experience report, mint-water-like refreshment overwhelmed me. This water truly operates on a different level. I was completely unconscious for about five minutes. What incredible bliss. Currently, Ogaki Sauna ranks as Japan's number one in my mind. No other place offers such comfort and security. Here, 100% relaxation is permitted. Perhaps others feel the same—everyone wears the most sublime expressions. Whether my timing was perfect or not, despite considerable crowds, no conversations occurred. Neither in the sauna room nor cold bath—complete silence. Everyone seemed to be savoring the ultimate sauna and cold bath with their entire being. Being part of this community brings me tremendous joy. Visiting Ogaki Sauna naturally evokes gratitude, though I can't explain why. Ultimately, I completed four sauna and cold bath sets. After the final set, wrapping myself in facility wear, I stepped outside and assumed the komainu sitting position. Had autumn wind always felt this wonderful? The gentle breeze caressed my groundwater-purified body with incredible tenderness. Another person sat komainu-style at a distance, smoking while in a trance-like state. I too remained motionless from overwhelming pleasure. After ten minutes of komainu sitting in complete stupor, I decided to head upstairs for that exquisite ginger pork set meal.

The second-floor restaurant was quite bustling. Regular elderly customers gathered around tables, enjoying themselves—likely locals for whom this serves as a precious gathering place. When I reach life's final stage, I hope to spend time like this, with a sanctuary like Ogaki Sauna. Taking an available counter seat, I ordered ginger pork set meal and simmered sea bream. After a brief wait, the food arrived, and I started with the red miso soup. The flavor resonated through my organs—absolutely divine. Next, I boldly stacked two pieces of pork loin ginger and devoured them. Ah, supremely delicious. The rice was unstoppable, chopsticks unstoppable. I finished everything instantly—while savoring every bite, of course. Cleansing my palate with red miso soup, I moved to the simmered sea bream. How delicious! This might be the best simmered sea bream of my entire life. Thank you, chef, for this incredible creation. After finishing my meal, I settled into a reclining chair. Ultimate sauna and cold bath. Exquisite cuisine. A comfortable, secure space. Sitting in the same spot where Harada Taizo and Miyake Hiroki sat in the drama 'Sauna Way,' I was enveloped in tremendous happiness. Ah, I'm alive. I'm experiencing the joy of being human. This sauna journey was also fantastic. Japan still holds countless wonderful places I haven't discovered yet. Where should I go next...? Lost in such thoughts, I apparently fell asleep. After about an hour's nap, it was nearly 3 PM. Currently in Gifu, I needed to return to Tokushima. The nap had restored my energy. As a wake-up call, I decided to experience that supreme cold bath once more before departing. Heating my body in the sauna, I plunged into the flowing groundwater cold bath with a splash. Instantly refreshed. Finishing with a drink of flowing water, my body's interior became equally invigorating. Uncertain when I'll return, but since Ogaki Sauna remains Japan's number one sauna for me, that day will surely come soon. Paying at reception, I said "I'll be back" and got in my car. With that, this week's sauna journey concluded.