Plunge Into Ice in an Invigorating Sauna and Avanto Experience in Tokachi, Hokkaido
The Tokachi region of Hokkaido can reach a freezing -20°C (68°F) in the winter. While harsh, this climate is perfect for experiencing a Finnish style sauna and avanto, or ice swimming in English. In this article, we'd like to introduce a unique experience offered by Moving Inn, a luxury camper van rental company based in Tokachi, Hokkaido. This private experience, available for groups of up to five will give you an unforgettable, up-close, and personal experience of Hokkaido's stunning winter landscapes. Read on for all the details!
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A Unique Experience in Tokachi, Hokkaido
The Tokachi region of Hokkaido, where Moving Inn is based, is one of the coldest regions in Japan. In winter, the local rivers and lakes freeze as temperatures drop to around -20°C (68°F).
Moving Inn's Tokachi Sauna & Avanto package is one exciting way to enjoy this beautiful but harsh environment. This experience is available only during winter, and is limited to just one group per day.
Japan's First Sauna Trailer Rental Service
Moving Inn's rental car service with a sauna trailer is the first of its kind in Japan!
While sauna tents have become a popular portable sauna option in recent years, they do have their downsides. For one, this sauna trailer retains heat better than tents, giving you a more authentic sauna experience and maximizing the health benefits. In fact, temperatures inside the Moving Inn sauna trailer can reach up to 90°C (194°F), even in cold regions!
Moving Inn's sauna trailer is also fully equipped for löyly, which is the Finnish word for the steam that envelopes you when water is thrown on the hot sauna rocks. Löyly is an essential part of any Finnish sauna, and helps you regulate how warm the sauna feels by adjusting its humidity level.
Tokachi Sauna & Avanto
Ice hole swimming, or avanto, is a common part of Finnish sauna culture. While it may sound a little intimating, plunging into the ice cold water after a hot sauna is an invigorating experience many people in cold climates swear by. In fact, some research has found it can improve overall mood, energy, and even help protect against infectious diseases!
To enjoy this experience with Moving Inn's Tokachi Sauna & Avanto package, guests will arrive by rental car to the site where the staff will cut an "avanto”, or ice hole, into the frozen river to make an ice bath. The sauna trailer is parked by the avanto, where a fire pit with outdoor chairs are also prepared for guests to enjoy. A tent with a stove heater will be set up for you to use as a relaxation area as well, so you can take your time and enjoy your sauna experience in Hokkaido's stunning outdoors.
Service Overview
Package Contents
1. Moving Inn Camping Car Rental (24 hours) [*1]
Cars Available: Hiace LX (up to 2 people) / Hiace CA (up to groups of four) / Land Cruiser Bamba (up to groups of five) [*2]
2. Outdoor Gear Set-Up: Tent, stove, chairs, and fire pit.
3. Avanto (Ice Hole) Construction: Cutting of frozen river, installation of ladder and security rope.
[*1] Please state upon reservation if you require car rental for longer than 24 hours.
[*2] Car assignments are based on number of guests, additional requests upon reservation, and availability.
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The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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