Why everyone’s talking about... ofuros

As autumnal nights draw in, many people are seeking comfort from a soothing soak in a hot bath.

How about the type much loved by the Japanese, an ofuro (below)? It’s a short, freestanding, steepsided tub, deep enough to submerge your whole body up to your chin. Up to 90 per cent of Japanese people bathe this way most nights.

What a lovely way to get clean…

That’s not the point. It’s all about relaxation.

Any particular tips?

The water is hot, about 40C (100F), and herbs can be added for extra balm. Traditionally, ofuros would be wooden or cast-iron and heated by fire. Some Japanese take their ofuro in an onsen, a natural hot spring or public indoor bath. Because they’re not principally used for cleansing, baths don’t need to be refilled for every member of the family – saving water and fitting the green agenda.

How wonderfully relaxing…

Not just that – ofuros offer health benefits. Last year, a major study found that the risk of serious illness including strokes and heart attacks was nearly 30 per cent lower in those who bathed every day. Professor Hayasaka Shin’ya, of Toyko University, attributes regular ofuros to high life expectancy in Japan. The buoyancy, water pressure and heat combine to boost circulation, soften ligaments and alleviate pain. Not too hot, mind: 42C (107F) or more and you trigger the body’s ‘flight or fight’ response – the very opposite of relaxing.

It all sounds delightful!

It is – but there are risks. About 14,000 Japanese people die every year in the tub, three times the number killed in car accidents. Drowning and heart problems are common, and in winter, older people suffer thermal shock from the sudden temperature change.

Still, many are prepared to take the plunge.

Ofuro tubs are becoming popular in the UK in smaller homes as they take up less space than a Western bath. Plumbing stockists sell them for a few hundred pounds, while luxury retailer Aquatica Baths has a top-end walnut ofuro for £47,000. And you’ll need de-stressing after paying that…