The “SORATO SAUNA” (Sky and Sauna) event for enjoying sauna facilities outdoors is being held from May 1 on the rooftop of Jujiya Building along Northern Hokkaido’s Asahikawa Heiwa-dori Kaimono Koen (Asahikawa Heiwa Street Shopping Park). The event was organized by “ASAHI SAUNA”, a group of Asahikawa volunteer sauna aficionados. This is the second installment, following in the footsteps of last year’s event. This is a chance for visitors to enjoy an authentic Finnish style sauna right in the middle of the city, and the organizers hope it will contribute to revitalizing the urban area.

The Finnish style sauna has a high room temperature of 70-80 degrees, but wet “löyly” steam produced from applying aroma oil infused water to heated stone increases the humidity and makes the air easy to breathe. The event venue is equipped with wood stove tent saunas that use wood from Asahikawa and its outskirts. Visitors can enjoy a sauna at their preferred temperature. The event also provides cold water baths and a space to rest after getting out of the sauna.

The event is open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (admission closes at 8:00 p.m.) until August 31. Reservations are required, the maximum party for one sauna is four people, and sauna groups are rotated every hour. The admission fee is 1,500 yen. Visitors are asked to wear clothing that can get wet or swimsuits and bring a towel.

Reservations are accepted via the SORATO SAUNA website (https://asasahi-sauna.com/sorato-sauna/). Japanese only.