Most people are familiar with Michelin Stars, the most sought after restaurant accolade in the world. You may not be familiar with, however, Saunachelin stars!
Taking full advantage of Japan’s sauna boom, Saunachelin has ranked the eleven most outstanding saunas across Japan every year since 2018! Let’s take a look at what it takes to earn a Saunachelin star.
Who is Behind Saunachelin?
When stumbling upon Saunechelin, I couldn’t help but think “who came up with such a brilliant idea?”.
The Japanese sauna organization TTNE are the minds behind Saunachelin. The organization’s name is an abbreviation for the Japanese word “totonou” (ととのう), which refers to the state of temporary enlightenment and peace achieved by several rounds of alternating between hot and cold.
In 2017, TTNE was founded Dai Matsuo (松尾 大) and Daisuke Akiyama (秋山 大輔). Founding TTNE as a brand specifically for sauna culture, Matsuo and Akiyama sought out to create a space for sauna enthusiasts (particularly in their 20-30’s) to embrace and spread sauna culture within Japan. Through their collaboration, the two bring their experiences from the corporate world to their endeavors in the sauna sphere. As a part of TTNE, the two have founded not only Saunachelin, but established “The Sauna Society of Japan”, “Sauna FES Japan”, launched a sauna-apparel line, and served as brand ambassadors for Finnish sauna brand “Harvia”. Taking a look at the various projects the two are involved in, their enthusiasm for sauna is palpable, and is clearly a major factor behind TTNE’s success. I found the following quote from the TTNE website to really sell the company’s passion and vision for sauna in Japan:
“Surfers have a brand of surfers,
Skaters have a skater brand.
Sauna brand for sauna …”
Today, TTNE has several offices (two in Tokyo, one in Sapporo), and has eighteen employees listed on their website. I have found that the majority of sauna related events around Tokyo are in some way affiliated with TTNE. If you are ever curious about what is happening in the Japanese sauna world, looking at any of TTNE’s projects will likely put you in the right direction.
Annual Rankings
Each year on November 11th, also known as “Totonou Day”, Saunechelin announces its 11 top saunas in Japan. To make the cut, a venue has to stand out among the 12,000 other sauna across Japan to be considered innovative or noteworthy in the world of sauna.
To see what I mean, let’s take a look at a few of this year’s winner’s for 2023:
- Sauna Tokyo (サウナ東京)
- “The largest sauna facility in Kanto [the greater Tokyo area], opened in Asakusa. [It has] five types of saunas and three temperatures of baths”
- Many of these facilities, such as its steam room with a “cupboard bath” inside, take inspiration from traditional Japanese culture and the Edo period.
- “The main sauna “Steam Dance’”, which automatically controls lighting, sound, and 6 special speakers and woofers and is compatible with the Aufguss [the process of diffusing essential oil throughout the sauna, often done in a flashy manner with a towel] show, is full of power. It’s amazing that it’s not just flashy, but also comfortable, with the introduction of a ‘CO2 concentration automatic detection ventilation system’ that automatically controls ventilation using AI.”
- Frankly, I’m not entirely sure what all of the specific jargon refers to here, but I found it demonstrates the kind of specificity that Saunachelin venues have in their spaces.
- Quoted portions are translated from Japanese using Google
- Frankly, I’m not entirely sure what all of the specific jargon refers to here, but I found it demonstrates the kind of specificity that Saunachelin venues have in their spaces.
- “The largest sauna facility in Kanto [the greater Tokyo area], opened in Asakusa. [It has] five types of saunas and three temperatures of baths”
- Annetai Sauna (亜熱帯サウナ)
- “A sauna in the jungle, owner Tetsuji Sakamoto was moved by a garden spa that utilized an entire mountain that he came across in Thailand, and based on that experience, created Annetai Sauna. Enjoy an outdoor bath surrounded by subtropical nature.”
- Translated from Japanese using Google
- “A sauna in the jungle, owner Tetsuji Sakamoto was moved by a garden spa that utilized an entire mountain that he came across in Thailand, and based on that experience, created Annetai Sauna. Enjoy an outdoor bath surrounded by subtropical nature.”
- Wellbe Sakae (ウェルビー栄)
- “We recreate the environment of Finland, the home of saunas, with a `Forest Sauna’ that resembles a sauna hut in the forest, and an `Ice Sauna’ where you can experience the cool outside air (minus 25 degrees Celsius) and a lake.”
- Translated from Japanese using Google
- “We recreate the environment of Finland, the home of saunas, with a `Forest Sauna’ that resembles a sauna hut in the forest, and an `Ice Sauna’ where you can experience the cool outside air (minus 25 degrees Celsius) and a lake.”
As seen above, Saunachelin winners consistently outperform by both refining and innovating their sauna experience in ways that push the boundaries of Sauna culture in Japan.
Saunner Of the Year
In addition to ranking the top saunas, Saunachelin also celebrates outstanding contributors to Sauna culture in Japan, commonly referred to as “Saunners”.
For example, some of the 2023 nominees include:
- Katsuki Tanaka
- Manga author and creator of “Sado” (literally translates to “Way of the Sauna) (サ道).
- The series (which I am yet to read, unfortunately) follows the main character’s visits to a local gym sauna, where he discovers the joys of sauna and makes lasting friendships through the power of sauna (as you do). Sado is often attributed as one of the driving factors of the sauna boom in Japan (a topic for a later date).
- Misato Shimizu
- Japanese actress who is also a huge “saunner” herself. She has frequently worked with popular sauna website “Sauna Ikitai” (literally meaning “Let’s Go to the Sauna), and has been on several radio shows and interviews discussing sauna in Japan.
- Jin’s Co LTD
- An eyewear company with a line of glasses specifically designed for use in the sauna. Heat and fog resistant, this product line is a great example of the kinds of unique sauna merchandise that are coming out of Japan right now.
The list goes on, but essentially, candidates are not limited to those working in the sauna industry, and can be awarded to anyone who advances and contributes to sauna culture in Japan.
Closing Thoughts
While Saunachelin seems almost too good to be true, in Japan, it is a highly respected accolade that reflects the nation’s booming sauna culture. I regularly refer to Saunechelin not only find new venues to visit, but also to gain insights into contributors in the Japanese sauna world.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s dive into Japanese sauna culture. Have a great week, and I hope you can find some “totonou” in your week!
Sauna Sensei 