Back to the Womb: Tokyo Opens Unique Sauna for Adults Seeking Childhood
A new wellness complex in Tokyo named SAUNA MOTHER offers adults a two-hour experience simulating the stages of early life, from a womb-like sauna to a robotic mother's embrace.
Many people would give anything to become children again. In Japan, they decided to take this idea a step forward and open a unique complex where adults can return to being babies for at least two hours.
The extraordinary complex, called SAUNA MOTHER, is scheduled to open on October 24 in the Roppongi district of Tokyo. This is a private sauna that offers visitors a journey simulating the early stages of human life, from staying in the womb to the moment of relaxing in a mother's arms. The slogan chosen for the venue is "Stop being an adult for 120 minutes."
85 Degrees in the Womb, 15 Degrees After Birth
The experience begins in a sauna room simulating a human womb. The lighting is red, the background features sounds of heartbeats and noises from within the womb, and the temperature reaches 85 degrees. Those who want to fully embrace the role can curl up on a special bench in a fetal position and take a souvenir photo.
From there, visitors proceed to the "birth" itself, which takes place inside a cold water pool at a temperature of 15 degrees. Blurred curtains are installed around the pool to simulate the undeveloped vision of a newborn baby. As if that is not enough, a giant hand emerging from the wall pours water over the visitor, as if bathing an infant for the first time.
The next stop is a shower where visitors can rest their heads on a surface simulating a mother's knees. Warm water flows from three directions, creating the sensation of being washed by a parent. However, the highlight of the complex is a special armchair called the Mother Sofa. This is a massive device that wraps around the visitor's body, gently rocks, and strokes them using a mechanical mechanism designed to simulate a mother's embrace.
Digital Mothers and Rebirth Certificates
Visitors can choose between three rocking speeds and even decide which maternal figure will appear before them via digital projection. Options include figures inspired by mythological goddesses, mothers from works of art, and a character resembling a mother from a Japanese animation film. The complex also offers a special fragrance designed to mimic the smell of a mother's skin. At the end of the experience, guests receive a certificate attesting to their "rebirth," complete with a souvenir photo.
Behind the idea is Yuka Taki, manager of the WIQOMEDIAN company, who stated that she began developing the concept about nine years ago. According to her, she was looking for a way to allow sauna bathers to completely release body tension and concluded that a posture simulating a baby in its mother's arms could help achieve this.
"Stop being an adult for 120 minutes," is the motto of the new Japanese wellness attraction.
And what is the price of returning to childhood? A private two-hour visit costs 8,500 yen for a single person (about 165 shekels), 12,000 yen for a couple, and up to 20,000 yen for a group of four people.
