「Safi Spa Maiko」 - A Visit

For a sauna addict like myself, Friday is both the most joyful and painful day of the week. The reason is simple: I can't wait to go on my sauna journey. And let me warn you in advance - this experience story is quite long. That's because the emotion I felt was just that profound. After finishing work, I was searching for this week's sauna destination when one piece of information caught my eye. Apparently, there's an incredible sauna produced by the 'Sauna King' Hiroshi Ota at a hotel called 'Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa Kobe.' What's more, it had just opened in August. What a coincidence! This hotel held special memories for me - I had stayed here during a house-hunting trip before moving to Naruto. The location is superb, offering panoramic views of the Akashi Strait from the guest rooms. Plus, it's just over an hour's drive from my home. If I stayed overnight, I could explore Kobe's saunas the next morning. The plan came together instantly. I immediately booked the hotel. When sauna trips are destined to succeed, coincidences often align. I finished work and jumped into my car at lightning speed, racing down the highway to arrive at the hotel at 7:30 PM. After checking in, I headed straight to the sauna. Hiroshi Ota, known as the Sauna King, has produced legendary facilities like 'Yurakusu' in Kumamoto and 'Karumal Ikebukuro' in Tokyo. A sauna produced by such a master couldn't possibly be anything less than extraordinary. My excitement was at its peak. The moment I entered through the rather inconspicuous entrance, a wonderful aroma stimulated my nostrils. The lockers exuded luxury, making me feel like an executive. Premium amenities were provided throughout. Unlimited towels and lemon water were available. I was already satisfied before even entering the sauna.

Upon entering the bathing area, two types of cold baths sit majestically in the center. The impression I received was similar to when I visited Kobe Kurhaus - the cold baths are the stars of the facility. There are two cold baths at 17°C and 9°C, both circulated with vibra systems, making them feel colder than the displayed temperatures. Furthermore, the 9°C cold bath has a red button that, when pressed, releases water like a waterfall from above. While I was overwhelmed by the impressive cold baths, I came to my senses and checked the flow lines. Besides the cold baths, there are shower booths, two types of saunas, and two relaxation spaces. 【Simple explanation of sauna features】 • Sauna Room 1 'Mirumiru': Loft & vibra bath sauna. While regular saunas are enjoyed sitting on benches, this sauna allows you to lie down. It has a two-tier structure, so you can adjust the temperature depending on where you lie. Additionally, there's a 30°C bath inside the sauna room, offering the rare experience of cooling your body while in the sauna. • Sauna Room 2 'Mokumoku': A sauna premised on silent meditation. Perfect for those who want to meditate while in the sauna, the room is dark and allows for self-löyly. After cleansing myself with a shower, I entered Sauna Room 1 'Mirumiru.' The pleasant aroma of wood filled the room. Soothed by the fragrance, I first sat on the upper tier. As my body warmed and blood circulation improved, I moved to the loft. I lay down and bathed in the sauna's heat waves in a reclined position. This allows for even heating of the entire body, creating a state where it's hot but somehow comfortable. After the sauna, I headed to the 17°C cold bath. The cold bath is very deep, designed with submersion in mind. With the vibra system, it feels colder than the displayed 17°C. I floated my body in the cold bath as if floating in the ocean. Cold but comfortable, I could naturally stay in the cold bath for a long time. Then, my body cooled to the core. It was almost freezing. After exiting the cold bath, I moved to the dedicated relaxation space. Here, I was moved once again. When I reclined the chair to its limit and looked up at the ceiling, a projector displayed firework footage. Combined with BGM, it felt like watching fireworks while lying down. Add the perfect totonou from the sauna and exquisite cold bath, and I wondered if this was heaven. When I closed my eyes, I nearly lost consciousness. This was only the first set. For the second set, I entered Sauna Room 2 'Mokumoku.' A completely different world spread before me. The room was dark with a Japanese aesthetic. Inside a Buddha statue? No, slightly different. But it was definitely perfect for meditation. Since I had it to myself, I moved to the top tier. Incidentally, this top tier has an 'enclosure' that traps the heat from löyly. I meditated while sweating for a while. Unique BGM played in the background. When I had worked up a good sweat, I performed löyly. I poured water on the sauna stones, generating massive steam. Then I returned to the premium seat on the top tier. Suddenly, heat incomparable to before rushed over me. What is this heat? My body heated to the core. For the second set, I decided to enter the 9°C cold bath. This also has vibra, so it feels about 7°C. I felt slight pain the moment I entered. My blood vessels contracted instantly. This too was a rare experience. After about 20 seconds, I noticed a button. Pressing it would release water from above. My body was already near its limit, but I couldn't not press it. With trembling hands, I pressed the button. Massive amounts of water fell from above. And it was 9°C water. I let out a roar beyond gasping. That's how intense the stimulation was. After exiting the cold bath, I could barely stand. I didn't have the energy to move to the dedicated relaxation space, so I sat on a nearby relaxation chair. I made sounds with every breath. My body was chilled to the core. I was shivering. Yet it felt good. Is this what it's like after smoking marijuana? While thinking such thoughts, I nearly lost consciousness. If I lost consciousness here, I wouldn't deserve to call myself a sauner. There was still one more set to do. That something was the golden route of hot-cold alternating baths: sauna → cold bath → cold bath. For the third set, I again entered Sauna Room 2 'Mokumoku.' Naturally, I took the top tier, performed self-löyly twice, and sweated from my core. Just moments ago I was freezing to death, now I was very hot. The human body is mysterious. Is it okay to subject it to such roller-coaster-like stimulation? I had such thoughts, but since it felt good, it must be fine. When I reached my heat limit, I went to the cold baths. First, I entered the 9°C cold bath for 30 seconds. Then I immediately moved to the 17°C cold bath. Suddenly, I felt something like warmth within the coldness, and all strength left my body. My body floated in the cold bath. What incredible relaxation. This is the power of sauna → cold bath → cold bath. After finishing three sets, I couldn't move for a while. It wasn't that I couldn't move because it was painful. I couldn't move because it felt too good. Thus, I was completely overwhelmed by the facility produced by the man known as the Sauna King.