How resistant is the wood? Do these baths last a lifetime or do they need to be replaced after a certain time?
Also, could you please give me an idea of the cost and lead time?
Wood is a natural material so we cannot say it lasts centuries but a tub installed indoors and maintained carefully will still be nice after 30 years.
There are 3 elements that may spoil and accelerate the aging of wooden bathtubs.
a) dryness (the tub should be used often or some water should be inside to prevent damage in case of heating/air conditioning/long absences)
b) dampness (excessive humidity may cause stains and mold spots. use natural ventilation after draining the tub. If there is no window, padding the tub with a towel or placing an air circulator in the bathroom for 30 minutes will prevent problems)
c) soap (soap or soap foam will clog wood pores and create the premises for mold proliferation. if soap gets in touch with the wood just rinse thoroughly)
said that, consider that ofuros installed in luxury hotels (with heavy use) usually are replaced every 10 years – not for functional problems but to upkeep the image 100%.
About the lead time, consider about 3 months + 2 weeks for air shipping. We can try to match your schedule if you have tight time requirements so please let me know.
For the price, I will need to know which size you choose. Let me also know your address so I can verify the shipping cost door to door (note that VAT will be billed to you directly once clearing customs.
We are looking forward to working with you and remain at your disposal for any question/problem.
What is the minimum height of a japanese bath? I imagine if we decide to replace the present bath we also need to change the position of the shower controls as they seem too low at the moment.
For the drain, I saw on your website that there are many plumbing options. In our case, I presume the easiest is to have a hard connection simply because there is an existing drain in the centre.
Please note:
We can make the wooden bathtub as shallow as you want. Consider that for instance if we make it 50 cm high, you will have only about 40cm of inner depth which does not make it a “deep soaking” tub – but apart for that, no problem!
If you want a deeper tub, we could match the height of your niche and you could place a wall-mounted spout in this location feeding it from an extension of the existing plumbing.
This way you could patch the existing tiles and hide it behind the ofuro and spout without the need for a larger tile replacement/repair.
↑ Something like this but placed in the center of the long side.
Generally, we do not recommend to have the drain in the center. This does not allow us to provide a gradient for the bottom plank.
Also, we use a quite retro rubber plug that has a ball chain. Usually, the ball chain is attached to a wall for easy draining of the tub without the need to plunge your arm inside.
In the case of a centered drain, the chain would be obviously in the way.
Another problem you should be aware of is that Japanese bathtubs usually overflow from the top. When the user enters the water there is this feeling of abundance as some excess water flows out and the water level matches the top rim.
We can also supply a drain socket mounted vertically on the wall to act as a western-style overflow but you would lose some usable depth, plus you would have to hide the drain hose in a ledge or similar.
I think the ideal solution in your case would be to place a large waterproof pan to discharge into the existing drain. (something like a Kerdi waterproofing kit)
place the tub on it (without a hard connection) and place some duckboard elements around to hide the larger area of the Kerdi pan which is dedicated to pick the overflow.
The only downside is that the drain is not easily accessible for cleaning so you would have to move over the tub every time.
The good news is that it can be done easily as the tub is very light when empty.
We have been very happy with our tub, but we have one problem we are trying to solve. Our tub is not direct plumbed to the drain and is in a room with our main shower. Because of the configuration, water builds up behind the tub and drains very slowly. The water build-up causes mold on the tub and on the floor around the tub. To stop the water build-up we wanted to raise the tub by putting blocks at the four corners and let the water flow through. We are concerned that this is not enough support for the tub. So how much support do we need? Thanks
It is nice to hear from you!
if your floor drain cannot keep up with the water being discharged from the ofuro, one solution is to reduce the flow from the ofuro by partially closing the drain.
1) You can just leave the plug partially inserted,
2) or you can close from the back with silicone caulk half of the opening. Of course in this case it would take more time for the ofuro to drain, I do not know if it is a problem for you.
3) Another option is to attach a plastic hose to the drain and insert it into the floor drain. This should already reduce the flow amount, also it should avoid water build-up.
4) about raising the ofuro on blocks; there is no problem with blocks under the 4 corners. Be sure to place the blocks so they support the sleepers under the long sides and not support directly the bottom of the ofuro.
5) lastly, an idea to reduce the residual humidity in the bathroom is to place a fan or a circulator on the floor and let it on for an hour or so after taking a bath.
Natural ventilation is the best solution to prevent mold but just making the air move is definitely a very good surrogate to improve the performance of mechanical ventilation.
Please let me know if these tips improve the situation!
Hi, I have been in touch before about an outlet tub. I am still hoping to purchase a tub from you and have been looking at the Asnaro wood in a 1200 X 750x 660. I am about 5foot 6inches tall and feel it would be a good a size for me to sit in. I see on the pricing chart that there is a seat price (please let me know if I am reading that correctly). Would my shoulders still be submerged if I used the seat? Is there a dimension for the seat? Any advice you can give me to help get the right tub for me would be appreciated. Thank you.
It`s nice to hear back from you !! Yes, on the pricelist we are also including the optional cost if you want an internal seat. You would not be able to get the water to your shoulders while you seat on it.
Usually people alternate phases of full soaking (sitting in the side without a seat) to refreshing phases of “half-body bath” while sitting on the seat. Note that in japan traditionally ofuros do not have an internal seat while it is common to find it in very large communal baths in hot springs. If you install a seat in a 1200mm ofuro it will feel a little small but of course, you can still slip your feet under the seat and use the full length. Also, we can make the seat to be removable but be aware that in this case, quite blatant wooden rail will stay. Please browse the link below for some examples: https://bartokdesign.com/?s=internal+seat
The seat is usually 300mm deep, you can choose the height.
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To determine the size of the ofuro, we recommend to our customers to create a mockup (using cardboard boxes, or maybe the space between the back of the sofa and a wall etc.) to simulate the space inside the ofuro and imagine sitting in it.
I suggest also making the calculation of the amount of liter of hot water required to fill it up and consult with your plumber to verify the compatibility with your HW system.
Please let me know of any other questions or problems!
Do you remember last year in the “mid-summer greetings” newsletter I shared the appeal from the owners of the Wabisabi ryokan (S. Ginesio – Italy)?
They wanted to create a rock garden (kare-san-sui) to complete their new outdoor deck to be used for events, tea ceremony, meditation etc. and they were looking for ideas on where and how to obtain the racks and tools to create and maintain the rock garden.
Well, God heard their appeal and nothing less than “T”he Guru of Wabi sabi, the great designer philosopher Leonard Koren come from San Francisco to San Ginesio and participated as a special guest at the official inauguration of the “Jirinkongou Uchū” !!! The new project could not begin under a a more auspicious star!
I am extremely proud of them! and would like to share some photos of their success story. Definitely, these images and video are worth a thousand words! Wabisabi has been in existence for more than 15 years now: anyway with the passing of every year it is becoming even more miryoku-teki! (= attractive, fascinating, enchanting, delightful, irresistible, etc.!)
Also inspired by this story, I would like to tap into the wisdom of the community of Japanese bath lovers for a project I am considering.
The project is to write a guide on “bath rituals”.
I have to confess that I have been asked and exhorted to write a book on the subject for more than 10 years now, but I always hit my nose on two walls:
The first being the fact that I am not an expert in bathing. Many of Bartok design clients have visited more onsen than I have and are much more literate than me in other aspects of mindfulness that take shape through traditional disciplines: from ikebana to archery, from tea ceremony to martial arts, from bonsai to calligraphy.
The second is that I do not like the word “ritual”. I am a free spirit and anything that becomes a structured “procedure” smells of bureaucracy, boring repetition, and fetishism to me. I developed a strong allergy to formalities, meaningless rules, dogmatic creeds, and religions. How can I write a guide or a book on “rituals”? Impossible.
On the other hand, I acknowledge the power of HABITS in bringing a positive change into our lives. As we are bombarded by manipulated news, negative role models, addicted to customs that undermine our health and immune system, maybe sharing the benefits of bathing would help some people find a way out of the vicious circle. The word “ritual” makes my skin itch … but “the end justifies the means” – as Machiavelli said.
Maybe the word “ritual” scares me because of its absolute meaning: “this is the Right way. All other ways are Wrong” – is the underlying concept. Or am I overthinking? In any case, if a ritual is useful to establish a (healthy) habit… how about making a guide on “Bathing habits”?
Yes! This is much better!! “Bathing Habits” ! Everybody has their way of bathing, every way is legitimate and beautiful. As I am typing, I just had an epiphany! Yes, this is the way to go. I would like to write a guide sharing what I enjoy about bathing. But… I need your help! Yes, this guide would only be useful if it was sharing different points of view, tips, hacks, suggestions, experiments about bathing.
Will you share with the world your recommendations about bathing? When do you bathe? How long? What do you do before? After? What is the purpose? the benefit you seek when bathing? Do you use a wooden tub? An acryl/FRP/metal/ceramic tub? Do you use bathroom accessories? salts? Essential oils? Our “pocket onsen”?
If the guide is published, I will share all the credits and any profit from the sales of the book in equal quotas with all of you who participated with your stories and photos. I cannot promise the guide will become an editorial success… but if it will see the light as a book I promise I will provide full credits and share the proceeds with the contributors, to the penny.
With the Covid craze inexorably permeating every aspect of our lives, (and I wonder for how many more years…) I really think that people need some help to break free from the negative news additiction and find again positivity and hope. Relaxation, meditation, letting go maybe very useful practices and deep soaking “habits” may be one of the gateways to a more meaningful and mindful lifestyle.
Please share with me your thoughts and bathing habits! Let`s join forces and save the world together! ＼(^o^)／
I wish you a pleasant August and dedicate you a few relaxing seconds from “Saki no yu” onsen in Shirahama (Wakayama pref.) … enjoy the hot water!
Please send your entries to japan<AT>bartokdesign<DOT>com writing “bathing habits” or similar in the subject line! I am looking forward to it!!
And this can only be done … with a little help from my friends!
Especially all those who purchased an ofuro or bathroom accessories: please send me your photo and a short testimonial so I can post it to on the instagram page! Alternatively, if you posted some photos on your instagram account, let me know the link so I can re-post it!
And this can only be done … with a little help from my friends!
Especially all those who purchased an ofuro or bathroom accessories: please send me your photo and your story so I can post them to on the instagram page!
Alternatively, if you already posted your “ofuro jiman” photos on your instagram account, let me know the link so I can re-post it!
I hope that the aroma of hinoki and its bactericidal properties will keep you healthy in the body and spirit, through these uncertain times!
Please send your entries to japan<AT>bartokdesign<DOT>com and of course don`t forget to enter “ofuro jiman!” in the subject line! I am looking forward to it!!
FOR RENT: A famous traditional noodle shop in a stunning pre-war building is for rent. If you were dreaming to leave everything and move to Japan to start your own udon restaurant, this is an unmissable opportunity!
The Covid may not be making so many victims in Japan as in other more impacted countries but the economy (especially anything related to tourism, food, and hospitality) received a huge blow.
Anyway, it is important to look at the “silver lining” of this cloudy situation. As the Japanese saying “The flowers of Edo” is implying that the “flowers of Tokyo” are actually fires and street quarrels… Yes, sometimes the destruction of the city or the social structure as we know it, is the pre-condition to create a new and – in some cases – even better world.
This is what my friend Rica – a bilingual real estate agent – is trying to do. She has been running for more than 10 years a successful homepage and community making accessible real estate information to international clients.
And now, as usual, forerunner when it comes to new challenges, Rica started a new homepage called “move to japan”: a one-stop information hub for japan-loving foreigners that are considering the option of moving to socially, economically, and sanitary safe Japan and start a new life!
So, if you are really considering taking over the udon restaurant in the photos above, or some of the hundreds of gems shining from hot springs towns to traditional shopping streets, you do not have excuses, NO-MORE! Contact Rica and go for it!
Dear Iacopo, Thank you for your email. We were living in Tokyo for six years. After living in different countries, now we are back to Paris. It is our dream to have an ofuro in our bathroom like in the onsen. I have some questions for you:
1. How do I measure the bath, which size I have to choose? My husband is 185cm tall. I need a bath only for one person comfortably. 2. You said that I need a hygrometer to measure humidity, where can I find that?. My bathroom doesn’t have a window direct because is inside our bedroom. Do you think is possible? 3. How long will this ofuro last?
Please note: The hygrometer: we will send you one together with the ofuro free of charge.
No problem if you have the ofuro in your bedroom ensuite.
Just be aware that air conditioning/heating will affect the tub mode and may dehydrate the wood. To prevent it you should use the tub regularly (2-3 times a week) and/or protect it with an airtight cover and place a bucket full of water inside so it can keep the air moist inside the ofuro.
About the longevity of the ofuro: please refer to our FAQ.
How are you? I hope you are taking some time to relax from this stressful year enjoying some quality time … in your japanese ofuro ?!
2020 was full of disappointing experiences for most of us.
On the other hand, I think we should see also the positive side: thanks to the Covid experience the IT literacy increased tenfold and streamlined a lot of practices by cutting on bureaucracy and inefficient habits.
Less action but on the other hand, more thinking which is always a good thing to do.
And by forcing us to think out of the box we had the chance to reconsider our priorities and create a new lifestyle tailored to what we really want to do.
Hello from Portland Oregon!
I wanted to write a quick note to thank you. We absolutely LOVE our bath. Attached are some pictures of the final install. We use it every day. With the cedar lid the bath stays hot all night long! It’s amazing, just like Japanese Onsen!
Thank you!
Comment from iacopo: Dear B., this is absolutely amazing! It is people like you that give meaning to our work! Even if in the near future all the traditional tubs in Japan will be replaced by plastic, and the new generations will not even know what a wooden bathtub is, your bathroom will remain to witness that a more meaningful, happy, and harmonious lifestyle is possible. Congratulations, stunning beautiful project! And…do not forget to enjoy the hot water!
