Japan’s sauna bus (or saubus) is intriguing people around the world (and making more than a few wonder “why?!”)
Who wants to ride in a sauna bus?
A new cultural trend in Japan has emerged from the fusion of public transportation and traditional wellness practices. A retired public bus in Japan, creatively redesigned, now roams the streets as a fully functional, mobile sauna.
The old “sabus,” as it’s called, isn’t just a manifestation of Japanese ingenuity; it represents a revolution in urban relaxation.
A unique wellness journey
Designed by architecture firm Raumplan, this refurbished bus serves as a testament to innovative design, sustainability, and a celebration of the Japanese ritual of bathing. The exterior boasts the familiar green hue that once signaled the bus’s transportation role. The inside transports people into a realm of steamy warmth and tranquility.
The transformation from a public transportation vehicle to a wellness sanctuary is nothing short of mesmerizing. The bus seats have been replaced with a compact sauna, an anteroom, and an open deck.
The sauna, clad in aromatic Japanese hinoki cypress wood, can accommodate up to six people. Its large window offers a panoramic view of the surroundings, allowing bathers to enjoy scenic landscapes while they steam.
Venturing further inside, you find the anteroom. A relaxation space with wooden benches, this area is designed for post-sauna cool downs and socializing. Finally, the bus’s rear hosts an open deck, equipped with a shower for bathers to rinse off and freshen up.
Why a mobile sauna?
The creators envisioned the saubus as a way to connect communities and promote traditional Japanese wellness practices. By repurposing a public bus, they’re able to bring the sauna experience to various locations, from scenic lakeside spots to bustling city streets, making wellness accessible and enjoyable for all.
Beyond its functionality, the sauna bus serves as a symbol of sustainability and creative repurposing. It stands as proof that, with a bit of imagination, we can transform everyday objects into something extraordinary.
Through this project, Raumplan and its collaborators have redefined what a bus and a sauna can be, creating a new experience that is quintessentially Japanese yet universally appealing. The sauna bus isn’t just a place to relax and unwind; it’s a communal space that brings people together wherever it goes.
— WTF fun facts
Source: “INTRODUCING THE ‘SABUS’ MOBILE SAUNA” — designboom