Herbal and yakuso saunas in Gifu — 6 facilities
6 facilities in Gifu could be confirmed, on their official site or an equally citable source, to use herbs in the sauna as a permanent part of what they offer. 2 of them can be used as a private or reserved room, 3 are shared only, and 1 does not publish which.
By style: Thai-style herbal steam (1), Yakuso (medicinal herb) steam (3), Herbal löyly (3), Vihta / whisking (1) and Tent style (1). A facility that runs more than one style is counted under each.
The facilities listed are ITADORI SAUNA (関市), THE WATERS - Retreat Terrace Enbara (山県市), Megumi no Yu (各務原市), Tanabe Onnetsu Hoyojo (大垣市), Hatake Sauna – Premium Medicinal Herb Sauna Experience (HIDA LOCAL EXPERIENCE / IORI STAY) (飛騨市（集合＝HIDA LOCAL EXPERIENCE 飛騨古川オフィス、サウナは「飛騨の森、畑サウナ」）) and Yoshin Yakuto (羽島郡岐南町).
Look up the herbs themselves in the RootHerb Index, and the styles and terms in the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
Are there herbal saunas in Gifu you can book as a private room?
Yes — 2 of the 6 facilities listed in Gifu can be used as a private or reserved room: ITADORI SAUNA and THE WATERS - Retreat Terrace Enbara. Conditions and prices differ by facility, so please check the official site before you go.
What styles of herbal sauna are there in Gifu?
Thai-style herbal steam (1), Yakuso (medicinal herb) steam (3), Herbal löyly (3), Vihta / whisking (1) and Tent style (1). Thai-style herbal steam: Thai herbs such as plai, kamin (turmeric) and takrai (lemongrass) are simmered and the steam fills a sauna room or a tent. The room is usually kept at a low to middle temperature, around 40–50°C. Yakuso (medicinal herb) steam: The style found at bathing facilities across Japan. It covers rooms such as the kanpo yakuso salt sauna, where mugwort and kanpo crude drugs are turned into steam, as well as mushiyu and ishiburo — stone chambers warmed by hot-spring heat and lined with herbs. Herbal löyly: Water in which herbs have been steeped is poured over the sauna stones, so the scent rises with the steam. Vihta / whisking: Bundles of leafy branches — vihta, usually white birch — are hung in the sauna room, or used to whisk the body. Tent style: Steam from simmered herbs is fed into a tent, entered by one person or a small group.
How are facilities selected for this guide?
Only facilities whose permanent use of herbs in the sauna could be confirmed in primary sources such as their official site are listed. Herb use at one-off events, herbal baths alone, and löyly with aroma water alone are out of scope. No facility has requested or paid for inclusion. Facilities wishing to be listed or corrected are welcome to use the contact form.
Only facilities whose permanent use of herbs in the sauna could be confirmed on their official site or an equally citable source are listed. The date of confirmation appears on each facility page; prices, hours and the herbs used are subject to change.