Wood-Fired Sauna in a 200-Year-Old Kominka — Futtsu, Chiba
Stay in a centuries-old Japanese farmhouse and unwind in a genuine wood-fired sauna — what if you could do both in the same trip? About 70 minutes from Tokyo by car, nestled in the satoyama hills of Futtsu, Chiba, Washin Village is one of the rare glamping facilities in Japan where a 200-year-old kominka (traditional farmhouse) and an authentic Finnish wood-fired sauna coexist on the same property.
In this article, we take a deep look at what makes the kominka-meets-sauna experience at Washin Village so special — including how it compares with Tokyo saunas and the nearby SATOYAMA TERRACE.
Why "Kominka + Sauna" Is So Special
Japan's sauna boom shows no signs of slowing down, with new facilities opening across Tokyo every year. Most of them, however, rely on electric heaters inside commercial buildings. Genuine Finnish-style saunas that burn real firewood are far harder to find. Add in the chance to sleep in a 200-year-old farmhouse, and Washin Village stands virtually alone.
The kominka here is not a modern replica built to look old. It is the real thing — constructed over two centuries ago with massive exposed beams, earthen walls, and an irori (sunken hearth). Spending a night surrounded by that history, then waking up to a crackling wood-fired sauna the next morning — this fusion of Japanese tradition and Nordic wellness is an experience you simply cannot find elsewhere.
The kominka starts at 25,000 yen per night for the entire building. Split among a group, the per-person cost is comparable to a sauna hotel in central Tokyo — except here the sauna is free for all overnight guests. From check-in to check-out, you can enjoy as many sauna sessions as you like at no additional charge.
Five Things That Make Washin Village's Sauna Special
1. A genuine wood-fired sauna
Forget electric heaters. At Washin Village, you feed real logs into the stove yourself and watch the flames crackle as the room slowly heats up. That unhurried ritual — waiting, watching, breathing in the scent of burning wood — is the first step in leaving the city behind. The natural aroma of firewood fills the cabin and triggers deep relaxation.
2. Self-service loyly at your own pace
Pour water over the sauna stones whenever you feel like it — a practice known in Finnish as loyly (pronounced "LOH-loo"). Aromatic water infused with birch or eucalyptus is provided, letting you send a burst of fragrant steam through the room and raise the perceived temperature on command. You control the intensity, and that freedom is the beauty of self-service loyly.
3. Cold plunge + open-air rest in the satoyama
The full totonou ("reaching equilibrium") cycle is available: sauna, cold-plunge tub, then open-air relaxation. And the outdoor rest here is on a completely different level from anything in the city. Clean mountain air, birdsong, rustling leaves — once you experience nature's own soundtrack while cooling down, a rooftop terrace in Roppongi may never feel quite the same.
4. Completely private — reserved for your group
The sauna operates on a private-reservation basis. Couples, families, and friend groups can enjoy it without worrying about strangers. No queues, no rush, no awkward locker-room encounters — just your own luxurious time.
5. Free for overnight guests
A single session at a Tokyo sauna can easily cost 2,000 to 5,000 yen. At Washin Village, overnight guests pay nothing extra. Morning sauna, afternoon sauna, midnight sauna — it is all included. For serious sauna lovers, the value is hard to beat.
How to Spend Your Time — A 1-Night Kominka + Sauna Itinerary
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 15:00 | Check in. Step into the 200-year-old kominka. Take in the massive beams and earthen walls as you settle in |
| 15:30 | Explore the grounds. Meet the 16 rescue cats roaming freely around the property |
| 16:00 | Head to the sauna. Start by loading the firewood yourself — the cabin reaches temperature in about 20-30 minutes |
| 16:30 | Self-service loyly, cold plunge, open-air rest. Repeat the totonou cycle 2-3 times |
| 17:30 | Prepare the BBQ. Fresh local Chiba produce goes on the grill |
| 18:00 | Dinner under the stars |
| 20:00 | Bonfire time. Firewood is free. Sit back and watch the flames |
| 21:00 | Night sauna. A sauna session surrounded by nighttime silence is an experience in itself |
| 22:00 | Drift off to sleep on futons inside the kominka, wrapped in the warmth of wood and earth |
| 07:00 | Morning walk through the satoyama. Wake up to crisp air and birdsong |
| 08:00 | Morning sauna. Cold open-air rest in the brisk morning air is the ultimate totonou |
| 09:30 | Coffee at the on-site cafe while watching the rescue cats go about their morning routine |
| 11:00 | Check out |
Comparison — Washin Village vs. Tokyo Saunas vs. SATOYAMA TERRACE
| Feature | Washin Village | Tokyo Sauna Facilities | SATOYAMA TERRACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sauna type | Authentic Finnish wood-fired | Mostly electric heaters | Wood-fired |
| Loyly | Self-service anytime | Staff-led events at set times | Self-service |
| Usage | Private (free for guests) | Shared (paid entry) | Private (may incur extra fee) |
| Outdoor rest setting | Satoyama nature | Rooftop / terrace | Satoyama nature |
| Accommodation | 200-year-old kominka available | None (day-use only) | Glamping tents |
| Animal encounters | 16 rescue cats, 2 dogs, 2 goats | None | None |
| Access from Tokyo | 70-80 min via Aqua-Line | Under 30 min by train | 70-80 min via Aqua-Line |
| Price guide | From 25,000 yen/building (sauna included) | 2,000-5,000 yen per session | From 20,000 yen/tent |
| Unique appeal | Only place combining kominka + sauna + rescue cats | Convenience and city access | High rating on Sauna Ikitai |
SATOYAMA TERRACE, also located in Futtsu, opened in August 2025 and has earned strong reviews on Sauna Ikitai (4,331 votes). While both facilities share wood-fired saunas, Washin Village offers two things no one else can: a genuine 200-year-old kominka and 16 rescue cats living freely on site. If you want a sauna trip that is about more than just the sauna — one that delivers a truly one-of-a-kind overnight experience — Washin Village is the pick.
Access
Washin Village: 14 Takamizo, Futtsu, Chiba
About 70-80 minutes from Tokyo by car (via the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line)
Take the Aqua-Line from Kawasaki-Ukishima IC, then the Tateyama Expressway to Futtsu-Chuo IC. The village is about 10 minutes from the interchange. Free parking on site.
By train: Take the JR Uchibo Line to Aobori Station, then a 15-minute taxi ride. Shuttle service is available by advance reservation.
Enter "14 Takamizo, Futtsu, Chiba" into your GPS or car navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is there really a sauna at a kominka?
Yes. Washin Village has an authentic Finnish wood-fired sauna on the grounds of its 200-year-old kominka. Overnight guests can use it as many times as they like at no extra charge.
Q. Do I need to reserve the sauna in advance?
The sauna is reserved exclusively for each group. Simply let us know your preferred time slot at check-in. Outside of peak times, you are free to use it whenever you wish.
Q. Can children use the wood-fired sauna?
Children are welcome to enter the sauna with a parent or guardian. Please keep a close eye on small children, as the stove uses real firewood. The cold-plunge tub temperature can be adjusted for younger guests.