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make payments thru the internet!

A client just sent us a payment for his tub thru AZIMO.
I was not aware of this option. I checked out the homepage and it seems like they have a very convenient currency conversion rate and a flat fee of 12 GBP for transaction.
I did not know this option existed, but from now on I would recommend to check it out bevore doing your bank wire transfer or payment thru paypal!

Apparently AZIMO is available for people holding a bank account in europe.
But there are many other options such as
WORLD REMIT
It may be convenient to use the automatic comparison tool here below:
https://www.finder.com/international-money-transfers/send-money-to-japan

Please comment here below if you find a convenient option which may be useful for other people!

bank transfer or paypal?

I am planning to make the payment tomorrow. I’m not yet sure how – do you have experience of British clients paying JPY directly? Is a payment with PayPal an option?
Your bank will make the conversion and detract the relative amount in GBP from your account. Wire transfer is the system used more often, also by British clients.

We can also accept paypal but the fee for transaction is 4% on the transferred amount, which makes it more expensive in this case.

Considering that the wire transfer fee is 6500 JPY, consider that a Paypal payment is more convenient for purchases below 150,000 JPY (about 1500 USD).
For larger amounts, wire transfer is more convenient.

ofuro for a doctor

We received the information request in january and the confirmation one week later.
When we sent the pictures of the completed tub, the client was in Africa as she works as a doctor!
I am so honored to have among my customers people who are so soft spoken yet dynamic, positive thinking and caring! I hope that this ofuro will help her to heal the scars and refill the batteries to successfully tackle everyday challenge!

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asnaro tub for NY

The tub was ordered thru an architect in NY. It is going to be installed in a niche with 25mm clearance on 3 sides. The wall is finished with hand made tiles… I am dying to see the photos of the installation once completed!
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Click more to see additional pictures and the specs of the ofuro.
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Takumi Company – Seattle

Introduction:
As better explained by Dale himself in the comment below, Takumi company is not probably suitable just to install an ofuro. Dale is a real carpenter-SENSEI (toryo) and specialized in traditional carpentry and wood joining.
Asking him to install an ofuro would be like a little like … asking Chopin if he gives private piano lessons…! Anyway Dale is very friendly and helpful and I am sure he will introduce you a reliable plumber in the Seattle area.

Of course if you have the plan to build an authentic japanese house, shrine, or cabinet in the Seattle area, do not search any further!

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round tub for switzerland

Also in this case, the client contacted us in july and confirmed the order in november.
If you pardon me the obviousness, july is a hot season… for hot tubs!

It is a very poetic, very clean round tub. We often use sawara wood for barrel construction ofuro but the client was sure about choosing hinoki!

IMGP9459Click on more to see more pictures and updates (->about the the round cover)
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sawing planks for Germany tub

Yoshiaki started today to prepare the material for a new tub going to Germany.
Next week the carpenter will actually start construction and we are planning to be able to ship by the end of february.
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The lumber when cut releases a wonderful scent!
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Cutting to size and removing the sap-wood.
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testimonial from dallas

A client kindly sent us pictures of her steamy bathroom with the comment:
“Here are a couple of pictures.  I am LOVING my ofuro.”
Thank you MJ!

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All about Ofuro Tubs

repulse-bay-ofuro-cloudsBartok design round ofuro in sawara cypress at the Cabana club, Repulse bay, HK

Jon Reyes, from Steam Shower Store wrote this article for Bartok design. Enjoy! —


 

The culture of japanese-style bathing

People have always enjoyed bathtubs and hot tubs as a way to relax and unwind, but more and more, the benefits offered by ofuro tubs are convincing homeowners to consider the possibility of incorporating this holistic Japanese tradition into their daily lives. With a variety of styles to choose from and the possibility of customizing a tub to suit any bathroom, ofuro tubs are a great choice for anyone.

An ofuro tub isn’t about just taking a bath. Traditionally, these Japanese tubs are used after you’ve already cleaned yourself in the shower – no soaps or shampoos should be used in an ofuro tub. Instead, use the tub to enjoy mineral salts or aromatherapy oils after you’re already clean, to experience a deep soak and indulge in a meditative time of contemplation.

These tubs are almost twice as deep as typical North American or European tubs, letting you sink in up to your chin to enjoy a thorough submersion into the soothing hot water. With no overflow tap, these tubs are designed, if anything, to overflow over the top and onto the floor, with a drain system installed underneath. This allows for an all-encompassing soaking experience, to help you truly relax and enjoy the many benefits ofuro tubs can offer.

Ofuro tubs are traditionally made with hinoki wood, and Bartok Design continues this tradition. The hinoki wood features a compact grain and a therapeutic lemony fragrance, which helps users relax and enjoy the natural, holistic experience of using the tub. Bartok Design also offers tubs made with asnaro wood, another traditional Japanese wood which boasts a knotless look and is especially termite resistant.

Tubs are designed to fit any bathroom style – either sueoki or umekomi. Sueoki style design has the tub positioned directly on the floor, letting the natural wood texture be a feature element of your bathroom design. With umekomi style, the tub is recessed into a half-wall or floor, making the wood of the tub less visible from the outside – but still natural and beautiful on the inside. These tubs provide a clean and modern-looking aesthetic, making them well-suited to any bathroom design.

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a beautiful ofuro and local beauties in Repulse bay – Hong Kong



Benefits of ofuro tubs

Ofuro tubs provide a number of valuable benefits that make them an especially attractive option over a regular bathtub or a hot tub. These benefits can be achieved by a 30 minutes to one hour soak each day, following a cleansing shower. This traditional Japanese style of bathing isn’t about getting clean, it’s about maintaining your health with a beneficial soak.

With the natural feel and scent of the hinoki or asnaro wood, an ofuro tub helps create a zen-like experience for the user. Enjoying a meditative soak will help boost your mental and spiritual wellness, making you feel more refreshed after a long day’s work. This can help reduce fatigue, relieve stress, and clear the mind.

The heat from the tub and the deep submersion work together to stimulate blood circulation, which helps promote a healthy immune system and aids your body in fighting colds or influenza. Sore, tight muscles will benefit from an ofuro tub as well, since the enveloping heat can loosen and relax the body. These benefits will only increase with regular, prolonged use. The ofuro tub is a perfect complement to a healthy lifestyle.

In addition to their many health benefits, ofuro tubs are also easier to care for than typical hot tubs or regular bathtubs. Since the ofuro tub is filled and drained with each use, there’s no need to use chemicals to adjust the water’s pH balance and keep it clean. Instead, you can just fill your tub whenever you want to use it, enjoy a relaxing soak, and drain it easily when you’re done. Since you won’t be using soaps or shampoos in the ofuro tub, you also won’t see any buildup or residue left on the tub after use.

The many benefits of ofuro tubs make them a great addition to any home. At Bartok Design, they are happy to work with their clients to provide a perfect tub to suit your needs, so that you can see for yourself how an ofuro tub can benefit you. From pre-made tubs to custom designs, Bartok Design has an ofuro tub for everyone.


Article by Jon Reyes, from Steam Shower Store. Jon is a specialist writer and has extensive knowledge in everything related to steam showers, saunas and hydrotherapy benefits.

cabana-hk-bartok-bathtub-eat-sun

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