I arrived at Kumamoto Station just after 10 a.m. on December 27th. About three hours from Shin-Osaka Station. I couldn't hide my excitement throughout the Shinkansen ride because once I reached Kumamoto, I would finally be able to visit the western sacred place, Yurax. And finally, I arrived. Upon reaching the station, I immediately headed to the taxi stand and told the driver my destination. Me: "To Yurax, please." Driver: "Got it. Today, I've already taken two people to Yurax." Not 'shimasu,' but 'shiyashita.' His distinctive way of speaking was memorable, and the conversation continued. Driver: "I've been a taxi driver for decades, and many people come from all over the country just for Yurax. Well, Kumamoto has good water, you know. Also, it became quite famous because it was used as a location for a drama." Me: "I see. (I already knew that.)" Driver: "When the earthquake happened, the whole town suffered significant damage, and Yurax couldn't operate for a while. Even so, it's quite moving that so many customers come from all over the country now. It's been called a sacred place since after the earthquake..." Me: "..." The driver was quite talkative. Yurax didn't become famous after the earthquake; it had been cherished as a sacred place among sauna enthusiasts nationwide for a long time. I wanted to quietly savor the journey to Yurax, but my pace was disrupted. After a while, the building of Yurax came into view. The exterior of the building was exactly as I had seen in the drama. My excitement soared, and I walked around the facility, taking photos. I bowed and passed through the entrance, placed my shoes in the shoe locker, and handed the locker key to the reception. Me: "Free time, please." Reception: "Is this your first time using our facility?" Me: "Yes." I received an explanation of the facility, but perhaps sensing my eagerness to get to the sauna, the explanation was significantly shortened. I received the facility wear and headed to the locker room. On the second floor, there were a restaurant, yoga studio, and reclining room, with dim lighting and a modern atmosphere. It seemed like the perfect space for relaxation. Moreover, a pleasant scent wafted throughout the facility. I took a deep breath, inhaling the air deeply. Even though I hadn't entered the bath yet, I already felt like I was reaching a state of totonou. I changed into the facility wear in the locker and headed to the large bath. I wiped my face with an aroma towel near the entrance, stimulating my mind. Opening the door to the large bath, the scene I had seen many times in dramas and magazines unfolded before me. In the center of the large bath stood the famous cold plunge bath of Yurax. A massive cold plunge bath using the natural water of Aso, with a depth of 171 cm. I felt a sacred atmosphere. The steam filling the large bath also enhanced the ambiance. It was truly a sacred place. I cleansed myself and slowly soaked in the natural hot spring. The large bathtub offered various types of baths to enjoy. Jet baths, electric baths, and even reclining chairs within the bathtub allowed for a reclining experience while enjoying the natural hot spring. It wasn't just about the sauna and cold plunge bath. As befits a sacred place, there were various features to entertain the users. Looking around while soaking in the hot spring, I saw many users, all looking extremely comfortable and happy. The happiness of many people likely contributed to the atmosphere of this sacred place. Finally, I headed to the sauna for the first set. First, to the main sauna. With a setup of iki stove and far-infrared heater, the aroma filled the air. The sauna mats on the seating area were fluffy and very comfortable. Sitting cross-legged with my eyes closed, I felt my pores opening. Being a sacred place, my posture naturally straightened. My face was grinning quite a bit. Wrapped in gentle heat for 10 minutes, I was reaching my limit. It was finally time to enter that cold plunge bath. I rinsed off my sweat with a bucket of water, climbed the stairs, and entered the cold plunge bath. Instantly, the water, with a melting texture, enveloped my body. It felt soft, almost like hot spring water. Additionally, with a water temperature of about 14°C and a depth of 171 cm, I could immerse myself completely. Floating in the cold plunge bath for a while, I looked up at the ceiling, marveling at how good it felt. I could feel the blessings of Kumamoto, the city of water, throughout my body. After the cold plunge bath, I moved to the relaxation space. Nearly 20 relaxation chairs were lined up in the bath area, designed not to miss the ultimate time after the cold plunge bath. After the incredibly pleasant cold plunge bath, I enjoyed the incredibly pleasant outdoor air bath. And then, back to the incredibly pleasant sauna room. Here, it felt like I could repeat this loop forever. For the second set, I headed to the meditation sauna. Unlike the main sauna, there was no TV, just a single beam of light in a dark sauna room. In the calm space, I performed self-löyly, feeling the sound of water hitting the sauna stones and the steam it created with my whole body. I repeatedly performed self-löyly, thoroughly meditating. I focused solely on my breathing and pulse. Other guests were also meditating in the same way. They were experiencing the sauna bath at this sacred place with mindfulness. This interconnected atmosphere was creating this sanctified sauna. I, too, as part of it, warmed my body thoroughly. The second set in the cold plunge bath was also exquisite. Then, I challenged the long-awaited event. Yurax's cold plunge bath has a "MAD MAX button." There is a button on the wall of the cold plunge bath, and pressing it causes a large amount of water to pour down like a waterfall from the ceiling. Holding onto a rope in the deep cold plunge bath, I let the falling water shower my head. The exhilaration was incredible. It felt amazing. I had always wanted to experience this famous event, and another wish was fulfilled. For the third set, I entered the "Great Aso Eruption Meditation Sauna," a mist and salt sauna. A unique steam sauna where hot spring steam gushes from under the floor, enveloping the sauna room in so much steam that it becomes invisible. After being steamed for a while, I applied salt to my body, achieving smooth skin. After thoroughly steaming, I returned to the exquisite cold plunge bath. Falling forward into the deep cold plunge bath, I cooled my entire body. Falling forward into the cold plunge bath is also a special ritual. It can only be done in a deep, wide, and diveable cold plunge bath when there are no other guests. Fortunately, there was no one in the cold plunge bath. I had no choice but to do it. An extraordinary sense of exhilaration overwhelmed me, and during the third set of outdoor air bath, I lost consciousness for a while. Usually, I end with three sets, but since it's a sacred place and it felt too good, I added two more sets. I completed a total of five sets of sauna → cold plunge bath → outdoor air bath. While changing in the locker, I thought about moving to Kumamoto, then moved to the reclining room on the second floor. I lay down for a while, enjoying the ultimate time after the bath.

Yurax also offers delicious meals. On this day, I enjoyed the "Yurax Specialty Mapo Tofu" and "Chicken Nanban." I think it's the perfect menu for a meal after a sauna. Savoring each bite in a calm atmosphere. Reaching a state of totonou in the sauna, reaching a state of totonou with the meal, then taking a nap while reading manga in the reclining room, not knowing what time it is. When was the last time I lost track of time? I consciously try not to touch my smartphone, but in daily work and life, electronic devices are always close at hand. Letting go of time and information, feeling the hot springs, sauna, and meals with my whole body, and sleeping without setting a time to wake up when I get sleepy. It's like rebooting life. And rebooting is indeed necessary for life. If you keep running, you'll eventually break down. Take a break, reboot, reset, and try again, then reset again, and cherish yourself for working hard in life. I feel great joy in being able to reboot life at the wonderful facility called Yurax. I woke up from the nap feeling very refreshed. I turned on the reclining TV to check the time, and it was 4 p.m. It's about time to head to the next destination (today's accommodation). The place I'm going to also has an exquisite sauna. With luxury as the theme, it features a sauna room with a Japanese motif of cypress, a cold plunge bath lavishly using groundwater, an outdoor air bath space and lounge full of luxury, a must-visit for sauna enthusiasts in Kumamoto, "Yuya Suizen Luxury Sauna & Spa."