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givers gain!

We are receiving many orders of a single bottle of legendary hinoki aroma oil (extracted from 250+ years old trees) so we decided to upgrade the package.
Of course no extra charge.

oil-present

Hinoki aroma oil not only makes an original gift, it is a multi-layered piece of culture and becomes unforgettable as it anchors to the memory of the receiver with the power of the five senses.
If you do not own a japanese bath, this essential oil is perfect to enjoy the relaxation and energetic charge of hinoki wood and share these sensations with the people you care about.
Shop page is here –> legendary hinoki aroma oil gift pack

the optimal depth of an ofuro

Hi, I have been admiring the products in your website.
I have one question:
-When I measure my partner’s body, from her seat to just-above shoulder height measures 24″. Including a small seat in the tub (say, 8″H), brings the interior dimension of the tub to 32″H. It seems that in order for her to soak without slouching her posture, the depth of the water would have to be at least 32″H. Therefore I imagine the exterior measurement (including feet or supporting slats) would bring the tub to around 34″H. Yet the deepest (standard) tub I see in your listings measures 690mm H, which is about 27 inches.
Can you please explain why the depth is as you have listed, and not greater, per the above situation. My partner is about 5′-6″, so she is about average height.
Thank you.
I will look forward to your reply.

Usually, the full immersion “up to the shoulders” bath is done sitting on the bottom of the tub (so to say, without seat)
Actually traditional japanese bathtubs do not have a seat.
The seat is used for a “half body bath”, for reading while in the tub or to get a pause from the full depth bath (when you feel too hot)
To have the full bath, you can sit in the tub on the opposite side of the seat . Alternatively, you can remove the seat plank.

Also consider that when you relax in the tub, rather than keeping a 90 degrees sitting posture, it is easier to slide a little forward until the feet touch the other side. (This is also why the tub should be not too long) In this case the shoulder line lowers a few inches.

We can make extra deep tubs (some examples in the custom tubs section), but the disadvantage are:
– increased specs to contain the extra water pressure (and therefore increased cost)
– you will need some steps to climb to enter and egress easily (or recess the tub in the floor)
– you will need more hot water each time.

weight of ofuro and floor heating

Hi, I read that you need 2-3 people to lift the tub. Can you give me some idea of the approximate weight?
The other point I’m worried about is the dryness …my bathroom has both underfloor heating and heated towel rail!!

Please note:
Gross weght: 130 kg (including plywood box)
Net weight: 90 kg (tub only)
(NOTE: this is in case of L1400mm x W750mm x H700mm tub)

Heating in the bathroom can damage your tub.
This can be solved by keeping water in the tub at all times (during the heating season).
Cover the tub to avoid condensation and mold in the bathroom.
The tub may get some stain also, but the hydro-repellent treatment we apply makes it easy to clean.
We cannot make a clear statement for your situation (recommend or not recommend): you have to consider the options and the risk involved.

japanese ryokan for sale

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Shizuka ryokan, the iconic japanese ryokan in Australia (near Melbourne) is now on sale!
I almost made up my mind and decided to leave Kobe and move to Australia`s “Spa country” to manage the ryokan while continuing my business on the internet!
Unfortunately I have kids going to school and my wife said no…
So I decided to spread the voice here. Anybody interested?

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The property consists of 1.4 hectares of residential zoned land, dotted with local pine trees and featuring landscaped Japanese gardens and stone pathways
The ryokan building with 6 spa guestrooms and a massage treatment room (all with ensuites and courtyard gardens), large lounge and dining space, internal zen stone garden, commercial kitchen, sunny deck, office, reception, laundry, staff accommodation (comprising 2 ensuite bedrooms and lounge / dining room) etc.

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Of course there is plenty of room for new extensions and in this case I think that a couple of Bartok design hinoki bathtubs would be just like the icing on the cake…!
The business is well rooted with a “manicured” website shizuka.com.au, top rankings in trip advisor and prestigious awards from the Australian tourism association.
It has been featured on the Australian and the Japanese television and is patronized by famous Australian personalities.

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If interested, contact Peter at the email available at the bottom right of this page:
http://shizuka.com.au/contact/location/

large truck for a compact tub

This tub is being taken to the packaging company.
We loaded it on the forklift and took it outside…
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But could not help it to smile when we saw the 10T truck that come to pick up the tub…
I am sure the ofuro felt like a prince ☆!

finally arrived

We shipped a tub in Canada and it was delayed for over one week because of port workers strike. We were worried and felt sorry for the client but he kindly sent us a picture with the pallet safely arrived.

We never received a claim until now for damage occurred during shipping and from what I can see of the outside of the crate, I hope also in this case the tub will be OK.
Pay attention when opening the crate and do not forger to remove all screws before opening the lid!

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I can enjoy the weekend now 🙂

adjustable seat hinoki tub

This gorgeous tub was commissioned by an upstate NY architect for his client.
The design process went along for few months and at some point the client also considered using some shoji screens for the project.

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Here are some details:

– japanese Knotless hinoki wood bathtub w/ L-joints (thick planks)
– sizes: L1375mm x W750mm x H686mm (int. dim.) – 615 mm deep
– natural oil apron, small dowels @ joints. Iron brand at front top-right
– Hinoki wood internal seat D400mm with additional set of guides
– Hinoki wood traditional cover 870x210x18 (7pcs)
– Hinoki wood bench 609 x 450 x 648H
– Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)
– Sawara large bucket (225D 120H)
– Asnaro minimalist stool (330 x 220 x 300H)
– Hygrometer (complimentary)

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As mentioned in the title, this is our first “removable seat” with the opportunity to be positioned lower or higher.

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We supplied also a normal bath stool together with a higher custom bench which can be used for entering the tub from a sitting position. Very convenient for users of wheelchairs.


With this order we can confirm the recent trend in shipping fees: airfreight is cheaper than ocean freight in more and more occasions. On the top, time consuming Importer Security Filing is not necessary for airfreight so keep it in mind if you plan to purchase a bathtub from Japan…


Addition:
my carpenter scolded me because the top picture is too cramped and the nice front and proportions of the tub cannot be seen…
He is right. This tub deserves a clean head shot. Enjoy!

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New Year Outlet bathub – sold out!

sorry, sold out!

On the last day at work in this 2014, the carpenter completed this regular size asnaro bathtub. It is a very busy period but by popular demand we were working on this outlet tub and here it is! our New Year present to all japanese bathtubs fans!

The pictures are here below, but I regret we do not have a method to convey you the smell!
May be because of the dry season, but I feel this asnaro lot is particularly aromatic and could feel it even outside of the warehouse!

The tub specs are as follows:
* material: knotless natural Asnaro wood bathtub (AB grade tub / quatersawn)
* sizes: L1350mm x W750mm x H675mm (external dimensions) 570mm(depth)

Of course the tub is brand new and after taking the pictures it has been wrapped in clear polyethylene sheet.

Find here the drawing (pdf file) >>> outlet141227.pdf

Here is the cost breakdown:

  1. Tub: 415,000. JPY
  2. Packaging: 1550x950x880 plywood box: 41,000. JPY
  3. Pick up and delivery to Tokyo port: 13,000 JPY
  4. Shipping: please let me know your exact address so we can provide an official quotation for your consideration.

That`s all for now. Happy New Year!

square tub for Singapore

We have been corresponding with the architect for about 2 months, arranging all the details to make it fit nicely on site.
Between Christmas and New year, we completed this well proportioned square hinoki tub and extra thin sunoko floor grating.

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Here are the specs for the tub:
* material: Hinoki wood AB grade tub (quatersawn)
* sizes: L900mm x W900mm x H750mm (ext. dim.) 640mm(deep)
* details: oil finish apron, wood dowels joints. Iron brand at front top-right
* options: Hinoki wood internal seat W300mm
* accessories:
– Hinoki wood traditional cover 920x225x18 (4pcs)
– Hinoki wood “Sunoko” floor grate panel 900x900xH55 (split in 2)
– Asnaro wood stool (330x220x300H)

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I hope the client will enjoy this corner of authentic japan in his bathroom!

Comments about the pocket onsen indiegogo campaign

Here below I will display some comments I received by people who received the pocket onsen. Feel free to add your in the comment field below or mail me if you want to be anonymous and/or add a picture.


Got my pocket onsen in the mail today. Packaging is superb! It will make a great Christmas gift.


I should have waited another day before writing! The oil was delivered
yesterday. I was finally able to open it this morning (I was doing home visits
yesterday) and it is luscious!
Thank you so much for contacting me about this project, and please let me know
if you have any other aromatherapy distillations of rare things. I’d love to
be involved.
I can’t wait to get this to my friends – fortunately, I ordered several so I
will have them for my “special stock”!
Best wishes for the holidays for you!


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