Otaru, Hokkaido | Reservation requiredReception 10:00–17:00 Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays

From the Forest: The Sawdust Story

The journey from forest and sawmill through sawdust preparation and bathing to use in fields and harvest

The forest’s gifts become warmth.
Then, a new harvest.The sawdust story: a cycle of nature’s gifts

Sawdust from timber milling becomes the warmth of fermentation that surrounds your body. These nine scenes show how it is prepared and how it is used after its time in the bath.

Chapter 1

From the forest

  1. Conifer forests stretching across the mountains

    A conifer forest

    It all begins in a thriving forest.

  2. Boards being made at a sawmill, with sawdust produced as a by-product

    Sawdust from timber milling

    When timber is cut into boards and other products, sawdust is produced as a by-product. Otaru Ion House puts this sawdust to use.

  3. A man and woman transporting sawdust by truck as sawmill workers see them off

    Transport from the sawmill

    The sawdust is transported by truck.

Chapter 2

Nurturing warmth

  1. A red rotary drum screen sifting fine sawdust suitable for bathing

    Sifting for fine sawdust

    Larger particles and wood chips are removed to select fine sawdust. This reduces prickliness against the skin and prepares the sawdust for bathing.

  2. Several tied cloth sacks being transported on a cart

    Packed in cloth sacks

    The sifted sawdust is packed in cloth sacks and taken to the bath.

  3. Stirring sawdust mixed with the extract

    Adding extract and fermenting

    Ohtaka Enzyme extract is mixed into the sawdust, which is stirred to introduce air and allowed to ferment.

  4. A woman bathing in a rectangular tub, attended by a female staff member

    Bathing in sawdust

    Enjoy a moment of warmth for body and mind in fermented sawdust.

Chapter 3

From soil to a new harvest

  1. Used sawdust being taken to the fields

    From the bath to the fields

    After use in the bath, the sawdust is taken to fields and used as fertilizer.

  2. A man and woman harvesting vegetables and fruit in a field

    Growing and harvesting produce

    The sawdust, now fertilizer, helps vegetables and fruit flourish.

Experience the warmth of sawdust.

Explore the bathing steps and what makes a sawdust bath special.

Learn about sawdust bathing
First VisitPrices & Hours

RESERVATION

Please call to reserve your visit.

Tell us your preferred date, time, and number of guests.

Hours 10:00–17:000134-54-0010
Call to reserve0134-54-0010