What is a Japanese soaking tub? How to give your bathroom a modern twist on this ancient wellness trend

Unless you're a bathing connoisseur you probably haven't heard of the Japanese soaking tub, yet, this luxurious take on a regular bath has been growing in popularity among designers and homeowners alike. 

While these interesting tubs are certainly trending at the moment, the modern bathroom idea is actually inspired by an far more ancient tradition. The concept of the Japanese soaking tub, also know as an Ofuro, originates from ancient Japan and, it short, it's a deep bathtub that's purposefully designed for a long relaxing soak.

Unlike a regular bath, you would traditionally shower and wash your body before getting into the tub, saving this bath for soaking instead. The tub itself is especially steep-sided and is typically shorter in length which forces the bather to sit up, fully immersed in water up to their chest.

Since more of us are looking to our homes for comfort and relaxation to promote or wellbeing, the Japanese soaking tub has soared in popularity. 'People love the beautiful modern aesthetic of a hand-crafted, warm, natural wood tub,' explains Ken Larson, general manager at Zen Bathworks who craft Japanese soaking tubs. 

'The simple beauty and traditional design combined with unusual depth offer the bather a bit of luxury that is easy to use,' he adds. 'Traditional, organic wooden Ofuros offer a silent steaming refuge from the artificial pressures of society.'

What are Japanese soaking tubs made of? 

Traditionally, Japanese soaking tubs were built of cypress wood, also known as Hinkoki, a material used to build temples in Japan. However, now they've been reclaimed as a bathroom trend, they're manufactured in more contemporary materials such as stone, steel and copper. 

The scent of cypress timber is the main reason the material is used for these relaxing baths. 'The lemon/ginger scent of the Hinoki wood is aromatherapy at its best,' explains Kent of Zen Bathworks. 'Also, most Ofuros are hand-crafted out of wood, they afford customers two things that the typical mass-produced bathtub options do not; one, customizations and two, the beautiful aesthetic appeals that only wood can offer.'

(Image credit: Zen Bathworks)

Wooden varieties - also often made of red cedar or teak - bring a beautiful soft, neutral aesthetic to your bathroom that has a spa-like feel. Modern customizations of this ancient bath idea can also adapted to suit individual needs. As Kent explains: 'For one customer we built a 2-in-1 tub: they planned to use one compartment for a hot soak and the other for a cold plunge.' 

How can you incorporate a Japanese soaking tub into your bathroom? 

If you're interested in embracing the Japanese soaking trend in your bathroom, you'll have to consider whether you have the space available since these large, deep baths take up a lot of room. Once fitted, they add a real sense of luxury to a bathroom and pair beautifully with stone-effect bathroom wall tiles and black brassware for a contemporary feel. 

If you're fortunate enough to have the space available, you then have to consider where the tub would work best in your bathroom. 'Free-standing installations are the easiest way to install a Japanese soaking tub since our Ofuros have a fine finish on all sides,' explains Kent. 'Alternatively you can place the tub in a corner, alcove, or recess.' 

(Image credit: Seth & Kendra Smooth. Design: Lisa de Luc)

Those who are sold on this bathroom wellness idea will be pleased to hear that most fitters offer a choice of different drain configurations including indirect, standard overflow, or remote drain and overflow. 'We recommend indirect on a wet-floor for the easiest installation,' adds Kent. 'For an extra aesthetic appeal, consider a river rock foot surround concealing in-floor trench drains.'