Every November 11, on “Totonoe Day,” Saunachelin reveals its annual picks for the nation’s must-visit saunas. Born in 2018, Saunachelin celebrates facilities that go beyond conventional sauna experiences, bringing to the forefront the height of innovation, tradition and pure relaxation. Judged by professional sauna enthusiasts from across Japan, the evaluation spans over 12,000 establishments, considering cold baths, outdoor rest areas, hospitality, cleanliness, entertainment and creative ingenuity. Here are the 2025 winners, ranging from Hokkaido’s tranquil onsen retreats to Tokyo’s urban sanctuaries, that are must-visits for the biggest sauna fans.
1. Yuyado Daiichi
Deep in Hokkaido’s forests, Yuyado Daiichi merges nature, onsen and sauna into a boundless temporal experience to take the crowning position in this year’s Saunachelin awards. Three sauna types are available for both men and women, and the facility takes advantage of its springs for a rich steam for total body relaxation. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the wildlife that surrounds Yuyado Daiichi, making every moment feel harmonious and grounded. A true pinnacle of immersive relaxation, Yuyado Daiichi delivers heat, water and the sanctity of life in one gorgeous sauna experience.
2. Sauna Tokyo
Sauna Tokyo is the urban sauna of the future. Five different saunas, three water baths and 60 indoor seating spaces are orchestrated with precise light, sound and scent. Dramatic DMX-controlled “steam dances” control theatrical heat gradients within the facility, and guests can choose their own pace amidst the meditation, steam and self-löyly spaces. A three-time winner, this sauna powerhouse continues to evolve with the metropolis around it.
3. Onsen Balcony King & Queen
The largest spa entertainment facility in the Kanto region, Onsen Balcony King & Queen features seven-tier lava saunas, herbal steam, salt rooms and plunging two-meter baths. Its rooftop “Sky High” area has barrel and tent saunas for an outdoor sauna experience. Every corner of King & Queen challenges the imagination of what a sauna can be.
4. Satoyama Terrace
In Chiba’s countryside, Satoyama Terrace redefines outdoor saunas. Its Mountain Sauna merges with the surrounding forest and envelops visitors in wood-fired warmth from its central hearth, while the Waterfall Sauna erupts every 30-minutes for a cooling cascade spectacle. The streams underfoot and breezy terraces amplify this water-centric, immersive approach to saunas, crafting an unprecedented connection with nature.
5. Totopa
Amidst the lush Meiji Park, Totopa is Tokyo’s urban wellness escape. Separated into male and female floors, each floor features multiple saunas, steam rooms and water baths, all with herbal infusion baths and lighting that change throughout the day. Following its 2024 debut Saunachelin win, Totopa offers a sanctuary where city dwellers reconnect with nature, transforming a metropolitan corner into a warm retreat.
6. Kiwami Sauna Osu
A transformed century-old lacquerware shop, Kiwami Sauna Osu delivers bold, innovative saunas. Its four-tiered, 4-meter-high sauna tower uses fragrant, oil-rich Yakushima cedar to energize the body and senses. In front of the sauna is a two-meter-deep water bath for a plunge of relief. History and modern design merge at Kiwami Sauna Osu, creating a visceral, city-center experience that pushes every conventional sauna boundary.
7. Ochiairo
Established in 1874 and a registered cultural asset, Ochiairo blends Izu’s rivers and mountains into a multi-sauna hot spring resort. The facility has a tea-room-inspired Tsuki no Yu, a newly mixed-gender thermal spring Tengu no Yu, as well as barrel saunas in the private Hoshi no Yu and next to the rushing river. For ultimate privacy, the detached Shakunage villa offers personal saunas and hearth-inspired spaces. This is the third Saunachelin win for Ochiairo, now earning a spot in the hall of fame.
8. Sauna Kolme Kylä
Welcomed by a 700-year-old olive tree, Sauna Kolme Kylä, which means “three villages” in Finnish, is a playground for the senses. Two sauna rooms and two baths provide distinct atmospheres: the “moimoi” room has wave-patterned curved benches and dual stoves that release aromatic steam, while “mökki” uses wood pellets to disperse subtle, deep warmth. The “meri” water bath uses underwater speakers for an innovative submersion experience, and seasonal variation baths keep each visit fresh. The facility also provides sauna yoga and botanical löyly, which keeps guests coming for more.
9. Janu Tokyo Spa House Experience
Amid Tokyo’s skyscrapers, Janu Tokyo offers a sanctuary of serenity. Its spa house delivers three immersive experiences: the wood-scented Banya with treatments and body scrubs; the marble-walled Hammam, where ancient rituals meet modern beauty care; and the Spa House Journey, a ceremonial encounter encouraging reflection and inner calm. Detached from city noise and schedules, treat yourself to a delicate escape to another world.
10. Sauna Sakurado
In a quiet Hakata neighborhood, Sauna Sakurado sets a new benchmark for private sauna experiences. Its six meticulously designed rooms consider every detail: heat, humidity, light, aroma and water sensation. In their löyly saunas, guests can choose tea or herbal infusion scents for deep relaxation, while the deep, soft-water cold baths cradle the body in tranquility. Sauna Sakurado’s philosophy that “God is in the details” is the reason behind the ultimate relaxing experience.
11. Shiriuchi Onsen
Hokkaido’s serene Shiriuchi Onsen’s Kokyu no Ma fuses hot springs and sauna into one meditative journey. Stepping into strategically placed, mineral-rich steam room and open-air baths, visitors experience a gentle circulation of heat and water. The forested views through the rising steam and the tranquil air invite deep breathing, as if the body itself becomes one with the spring. This immersive approach celebrates the rich onsen tradition while guiding guests into profound stillness.
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Updated On November 12, 2025
