Herbal and yakuso saunas in Shiga — 3 facilities
3 facilities in Shiga 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, 1 is shared only.
By style: Yakuso (medicinal herb) steam (3) and Herbal löyly (1). A facility that runs more than one style is counted under each.
The facilities listed are Kamoshiburo Kokonotsu (近江八幡市), Kusatsu Yumoto Suisyun (草津市) and Nagono Retreat Hitoiki, Machiya Hotel (長浜市).
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 Shiga you can book as a private room?
Yes — 2 of the 3 facilities listed in Shiga can be used as a private or reserved room: Kamoshiburo Kokonotsu and Nagono Retreat Hitoiki, Machiya Hotel. Conditions and prices differ by facility, so please check the official site before you go.
What styles of herbal sauna are there in Shiga?
Yakuso (medicinal herb) steam (3) and Herbal löyly (1). 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.
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.