Ofuro (Japanese bath): distinctive features, testimonials. Japanese bath in Moscow

In the west, people perceive a visit to the sauna (or any other bath) as an opportunity to relax, and of course, to wash themselves. A completely different meaning is attached to this ritual by a man from the east. To visit the Japanese baths ofuro and furako for him means cleansing not only the body, but also the soul. The Japanese believe that the body and mind are one, so it is so important to relax not only (and not so much) physically during the purification. It is necessary to direct your thoughts in a necessary, calm channel. Only in this case ofuro (Japanese bath) will give a positive result. You will feel a sense of peace and tranquility.

Visiting ofuro is a ceremony that consists of several stages, each of which affects the body in its own way. It consists not only of water procedures, but also of several special types of massage.

How is the ofuro organized?

This Japanese bath is quite original - a barrel that can be made from larch, oak or cedar. It has a round or rectangular shape. Its height is about eighty centimeters, diameter (round capacity) is about one meter. If the Japanese bath ofuro (photo you can see in our article) is rectangular, then its dimensions are 100 x 150 cm.

In this tank, the person is in hot water. To the desired temperature, the water is heated by a special stove, which is most often built into the bottom of the barrel. In antiquity, for this purpose, hot stones or a barrel were applied to the furnace wall and thus heated.

What are the furnaces?

Stoves for the Japanese bath ofuros are external (they are attached to the side of the bath or installed near) and submersible. In this case, they are mounted inside the barrel. The choice of the oven depends on the ease of operation and the volume of the bath.

Difference from saunas

Japanese bath of different from saunas is a way of heating a person's body. In a sauna, this is due to the high temperature of the steam, and in the use of hot water. More precisely, such a bath could be called a bathhouse than a steam bath, but the water temperature is too high, so it will not be possible to luxuriate long in it.

Sauna ceremony

The ceremony starts with ablution. The bath-attendant sits the guest on a low bench and washes it, pouring warm water. Then it is taken to the first font. It can be designed for one or several people. Inside the barrel are seats. Water fills the tank so that its upper level is just below the heart of the person sitting in the font.

Bath complexes in Japan are equipped not only with a font furako, but also with a bathtub - a rectangular container filled with sawdust. In appearance, this design resembles the most ordinary, but with a rather thick wall box. It is made of heat-resistant varieties of wood and is equipped with an electric heating system.
Today many folk craftsmen make ofuro on their own and install it in a country house, in a country house and even in a city apartment.

Traditionally for use use crushed cedar (less often lime) filings, mixed with the most fragrant herbs. This composition is moistened with water and heated to 60 ° C. A man is placed around the neck in fragrant sawdust for thirty minutes. The body warms up well, active sweating begins, slags are removed, which are absorbed by the sawdust instantly. The skin becomes fresh and smooth, its appearance improves, rashes disappear.

Second phase

Then the person is transferred to the second bath with hot water (45 ° C). It is recommended to put a cap on your head, after having moistened it in cold water, since such a high temperature of water can cause a heat stroke even in the usual person, not to mention the beginners. This salt is sometimes added with sea salt to achieve a relaxing effect. At this temperature, even if desired, it is difficult to hold on for a long time. That is why the second stage lasts no more than five minutes. There are lovers who can stand up to fifteen minutes in such hot water, but they should not be tolerated by force, since this can seriously damage the body.

Massage

Then follows fromuro with sea pebbles. Dipping into this container creates the effect of a gentle massage. After it, a real massage using bamboo. It perfectly removes spasms, relaxes muscles, relieves stress.

Restroom

After the massage, a person puts on a light robe and can go to the relaxation room. After the end of all procedures, it takes some time to remain in a state of complete rest and relaxation. For this you can listen to soft quiet music, drink herbal or green tea. It is for this purpose that special rest rooms are set up in Japanese bathhouses.

Benefit

Ofuro - Japanese bath, which has many healing properties. It improves the work of the kidneys, the heart, heals and strengthens blood vessels, normalizes metabolism in the body, relieves excess weight and removes toxins. It is considered an excellent preventive against colds. Essential and aromatic oils, broths of medicinal herbs have a rejuvenating effect, soothe the nerves.

Warnings

Despite the obvious advantages of such procedures, for an unprepared organism this is quite a serious stress. Such high temperatures often affect the body negatively. Ofuro (Japanese bath) have a much more powerful effect than traditional baths or saunas. Therefore, even if you are a big fan of such establishments, the Japanese bath should not be visited without consulting the doctor.

Hot water can cause serious harm, even if before you did not complain about health. Therefore, before visiting the sauna, do not be lazy to go through the necessary examination, especially if you go to foruro for the first time.

Experts believe that ofuro - a great analogue of the Western options and a wellness complex with a massage. In the event that doctors have not revealed contraindications, try its relaxing effect.
Furaco and ofuro - Japanese baths, suitable for frequent visits and often part of a single complex.

Ofuro (Japanese bath) in Moscow

Japanese baths found their fans in our country. We have already said that it is not difficult to make such a design, so in many country houses it has already appeared.

And residents of the capital who do not have dachas can not necessarily go to Japan to experience the wonderful impact ofuro on the body. More recently, the complex "Taiga Baths" was opened in the capital. It is located at the address: Volokalamskoe shosse, 89, building 1.

Here you can visit a Turkish steam bath, a hammam, a Japanese bathhouse, a Russian bath, a dry Finnish sauna , etc. There are six freestanding wooden log cabins on the bank of the Moscow River that can accommodate up to forty people. On the second floor there are billiard tables, table tennis, rest rooms. You can go through the whole magic ritual, you will be given a massage by experienced specialists and will be offered to relax in the tea room.

After the completion of the sauna ceremony, you can continue your vacation at the Taejka karaoke bar. You are waiting for a modern interior in the style of art deco, professional system Karaoke Evolution Pro, numbering more than seventeen thousand songs. In the menu of the karaoke bar you will be offered dishes of European, Japanese and Russian cuisine, a variety of drinks. Here you can celebrate a holiday with friends, hold banquets and themed parties.

On the territory of the complex is a small hotel "Taiga". There are only ten cozy, modernly furnished rooms of different categories in it.

Ofuro (Japanese bath): reviews

Today, many Russians have appreciated the merits of this unusual bath. The first visit of her causes a lot of positive emotions, a sense of purity (not only physical, but also spiritual). Most people note: after visiting ofuro there is such a surge of energy that you want to fly.

In addition, the beneficial effect of this procedure on the condition of the skin is clearly evident. It becomes velvety, tender, smooth. Improving the health status of people with certain kidney diseases. And of course, women note that ofuro helps to fight overweight.

As for the "Taiga baths" complex, in which you can visit the Ofuro, the opinions of the visitors and their reviews are divided. Some of the guests are satisfied with the bathing procedure itself, with the good work of the bath attendants and masseurs.

At the same time, visitors have a lot of complaints about the cleanliness of the premises of the complex, the quality of the dishes (cups with chips), unreasonably inflated prices.
It remains to be hoped that the administration of the complex will take into account all the criticisms and eliminate the shortcomings.