By YUKI SHIBATA/ Staff Writer
April 17, 2022 at 18:11 JST
A tent sauna set up at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, in a demonstration event held April 16 (Yuki Shibata)
SHIRAHAMA, Wakayama Prefecture--It’s probably the nearest thing to a safari, with all the creature comforts of home, that most people in Japan could ever hope to expect without hopping on a plane to Africa.
The Shirahama town tourist association hit upon the idea of a tent sauna experience while visitors camp out for the day at Adventure World here and savor a Finnish sauna while watching giraffes, zebras and other wild animals.
A trial event held April 16 generated considerable interest.
“I was able to relax, just like being in Mother Nature,” said Misora Oike, a 25-year-old company employee who took part. “I felt like I was in another world.”
A tent sauna that can accommodate four individuals is proving to be a hit as a budding group activity since it can be set up almost anywhere, an idea not lost on those yearning to be finally free of COVID-19 restrictions that have curtailed outdoor activities for the past two years.
The association hopes to cash in on the innovative idea to lure more tourists to the town by making tent saunas available at various venues from around autumn.
In addition to Adventure World, demonstration events are scheduled at hotels and Shirarahama beach.
Tent sauna users can cool off by immersing themselves in a cold bath outside the sauna.
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