#13
A Serene Sauna Journey
Hitomi Toyosawa
Sauna Enthusiast / Talent / Model / Yoga Instructor / Vocational School Lecturer
Sauna Enthusiast / Talent / Model / Yoga Instructor / Vocational School Lecturer
"I should arrive right on time."
I sent that message and hurriedly got into the car. I'd had work at an event in Sapporo since morning, rushing from one meeting to another without time to eat. Only when I closed the car door heading to Sounkyo did I finally catch my breath.
This was my first visit to Sounkyo in about three years. My previous trip was to speak at a symposium. Come to think of it, I'd been dedicating so much time to work these past few years—my last leisure trip to Sounkyo was eleven years ago. I realized I'd been thinking about work more than I'd imagined, though since having my child last fall, I've been thinking about the baby too. In other words, I'm always lost in thought about something.
Walking down the corridor toward my room at the hotel, all those thoughts simply melted away. There, before the "Wabo Yukihana" room, was a bridge. A bridge with no river beneath it. The kind of bridge where you'd expect Ushiwakamaru and Benkei to meet (from the old tale). Just seeing this bridge filled me with satisfaction. There are no bridges in my daily life. A bridge in a hotel corridor—now that's extraordinary. When traveling, I want to embrace the extraordinary.
I slid open the door to my room, and there before me stretched the mountains. That's right—I'd climbed quite high. The mountains were beginning to turn yellow in patches. With so many leaves still green, the changing colors stood out all the more vividly.
At the buffet dining room, while my eyes wandered over the choices, I noticed how prominently Hokkaido ingredients featured on every table. Having lived in Hokkaido all my life, I don't usually think about it, but this island truly offers an abundance of delicious food—more than anyone could possibly try in a single visit. Visitors from outside Hokkaido must be especially delighted. After all, they can savor Hokkaido's diverse flavors at a buffet, taking just what they want, sampling a little of everything.
My husband and I took turns feeding our baby, and when the little one grew restless, I would walk around carrying our child. Several staff members approached us with warm smiles—not just one, but many. Having people show kindness to your child brings even more joy than receiving kindness yourself.
I soaked in the hot springs at the seventh-floor bath, gazing out the window. I could see lights below, confirming there was indeed a view, but with the sun already set, the mountains I'd admired from my room had become mere dark silhouettes. Though I couldn't see them, I let my imagination paint the mountains.
Behind me came the pitter-patter of little feet, and before I knew it, a child had tumbled over. An accompanying adult called out "Oh my!" as the child silently stood up with remarkable composure. It's a common scene in women's baths, but it struck me more vividly than before. Since becoming a mother, I notice children everywhere.
Opening the sauna door, I remembered having been in this sauna before. I visit so many saunas that I often can't recall where I've been, but opening the door brings it all back. Hello again, old friend.
The sauna's distinctive scent—a blend of wood and aroma, heat and steam, everything mingling together. Someone before me had clearly enjoyed plenty of löyly, leaving the space thick with wonderful steam. How delightful! Thank you for creating such perfect conditions.
"Ginga Falls"
What I'd expected to be an ordinary cold plunge revealed itself as Milky Way Falls. How magnificent! While I enjoy regular waterfall baths, I wondered how a cold waterfall would feel—and it was excellent. After sauna heat builds up in your head, you really want that sharp, refreshing coolness.
Stepping outside, I settled into a chair beside the outdoor bath and closed my eyes. I drew in the longest breath possible, then released it just as slowly. The crisp night air of Sounkyo filled my body. The sauna's benefits flowed through me, reaching even my fingertips.
In the morning, I soaked in the hot spring in my room while once again gazing at the mountains. Looking at those peaks, I thought, "I'll write in my essay about scenery you can only see here," but then reconsidered the accuracy of those words. After all, the view from my home window, the roadside scenery on my commute—every place offers sights unique to that location.
Yet still, Sounkyo's scenery truly can only be seen by coming to Sounkyo. I wonder when I'll return, and in which season?
