Healing people and forests with carbon-neutral barrel saunas

Saunas have become popular in recent times. Saunas made of wood offer a soothing environment with a subtle aroma of trees. Such saunas not only heal people but also have the potential to positively impact the natural environment.

Artistry Co. Ltd., which manufactures custom furniture for commercial spaces, buildings, and saunas, has started selling barrel saunas made from wood in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. Barrel saunas are assembled barrel-shaped saunas popular in Finland, the birthplace of saunas. Local companies in Aichi Prefecture are working together to produce these barrel saunas with domestically produced materials to achieve SDGs and a decarbonized society by promoting the health management of people and forests, revitalizing the regional economy, and reducing transport CO2.

Japan is a country of forests, with the second-highest forest coverage among advanced nations. However, the culture of wood has declined in people’s lives, resulting in increased untouched and abandoned forests, which can harm forest health and cause disasters such as sediment-related disasters. In the 2000 Tokai torrential rain, the delay in thinning artificial forests was highlighted, and mature artificial forests that were established after World War II are now being cut down.

Onishi, an employee of Artistry Co, who is also an active wooden sauna enthusiast, said, “Saunas not only provide health benefits for people but also contribute to the ‘alignment’ of mental and physical aspects of human relationships. Wood is often used in sauna rooms due to its soothing aroma and appearance, but making saunas with wood can also be good for forests and the environment.”

The utilization of “wood that absorbs CO2” is increasing socially to achieve carbon neutrality. It is essential to harvest mature trees and plant young trees with high CO2 absorption capacity. By using the wood standard that is regularly circulated and by connecting the supply chain in Aichi Prefecture to produce barrel saunas, waste material and transportation loss can be prevented, and a sustainable cycle of forests and people can be achieved.

The production of this barrel sauna was carried out with the cooperation of various companies in Aichi Prefecture under the planning of Onishi. The sauna was completed by the collective efforts of the forest industry that obtains resources from the forest, the sawmill that processes these resources into materials, and the furniture craftsmen who cook these materials into beloved products.

Originally published on Livhub.