Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhritz/
Finding the best Japanese Bath Tub
Japanese people know how to bathe. Have you seen how people scrub themselves at the onsen hot sprint or the sento public bath house? They take obvious pleasure in getting clean. And then in getting in a deep hot bath. In many ways, the Ofuro soaking tub is the beating heart of the Japanese style home.
The main difference in the Japanese soaking tub experience is that your whole body is totally and easily immersed. Japanese bath tubs focus on depth. To me, this is just nicer than the shallow bathing experience we seem to give ourselves in the west. Are you with me. If yes, then please join me as go deep into looking at some of the options for getting yourself immersed in your home outside of Japan.
How deep is deep?
For our purposes, we saying anything from a height of around 25 inches, 635cm, is deep. So with that as our first criteria, let’s look at some of the options.
We will divide our list into permanent soaking tubs that you build into your home and portable tubs that can be used to get yourself a quick fix at little expense.
Our Favorite Japanese Soaking Tubs
Permanent Soaking Tubs
1. Circular Copper Tub
We’re going to start deluxe here. If you want a real handmade show piece that you can use both to take a load off in, and impress your friends, this is it.
Pros
- Handmade luxury item
- Very deep – 36” (91cm) height!
- Built-in seat
- Coppery material changes over time for a “living” item
- Can be installed indoors or outdoors
Cons
- No cover for retaining warmth
2. Wooden Tub With Fibreglass Coating
A fully sealed wooden tub, coated in fibreglass. This bath hints at rustic charm, without needing any of the “rustic” maintanence.
Pros
- Good Depth – 28” (71cm)
- 5 Year Warranty
- Invisible Fibreglass Coating
- Meets ANSI and ASME standards for building codes in the United States
- Contoured shape with no hard edges
Cons
- Wood Type Not Specified
- No cover for retaining warmth
- No Built-In Seat
- Some may not like the idea of fibreglass coating
- Coating may mask wooden scent
3. Cedar Wood Soaking Tub
Nothing says rustic charm than wood. Bathing is about the smells and the feel!
Pros
- Very deep – 28.8” (732cm)
- Made of Cedar – means beautiful wooden aromas
- Comes with wooden hanging basket
- Chrome drain included
- Can be installed indoors or outdoors
- Stools included
Cons
- No cover for retaining warmth
- Stools are very low
4. Minimal White Acrylic Soaking Tub with Jetted Air Massage
More traditional than the options above, but still modern and stylish. Includes warm air jets for a true luxury experience!
Pros
- Stylish white porcelain
- Very deep – 28” (749cm)
- Classic “aristocratic” design with clawed feet!
- Minimal, clean design
Cons
- No cover for retaining warmth
- No built in seat
5. Square Copper Soaking Tub
Similar to the luxury tub above, but in a square shape to maximise every inch of your floorspace to luxury ratio!
Pros
- Handmade luxury item
- Super deep – 55” (140cm)!
- Built-in seat
- Coppery material changes over time for a “living” item
- Can be installed indoors or outdoors
- Square shape uses floor space efficiently
Cons
- No cover for retaining warmth
- Square shape not as giving to the body as circular shape
6. Classic Clawed Foot Deep Soaking Tub
Okay, this one is more “Swedish Aristocracy” than “Japanese Sumarai”. But at 29.5”, it’ll achieve our main purpose of getting fully immersed!
Pros
- Includes massage jets!
- Very deep – 29.5” (711cm)
- Minimal, clean design
- Scratch resistant surface
- Customizable drain/overflow
Cons
- No cover for retaining warmth
- No built in seat
Portable Tubs
Just want to get your body in that lovely water, and don’t want to pay thousands for the experience? Get yourself in a portable!
Main things to look at for are size, whether the device has a tap to let the water out.
1. Insulated Portable Soaking Tub
A deluxe, insulated portable bath that retains its temperature well.
Pros
29.5” (75cm) deep
- Does not need to be inflated – no pumping!
- Insulated to keep in warmth
- Cushioned bottom for comfort
- Includes tap for easily letting out water
- Includes top cover
Cons
- Insulation makes the bath larger for storage.
2. Inflatable Portable Soaking Tub
A deep portable bath that you can put anywhere you have the space.
Pros
31.5” (80cm) deep
Includes tap for easily letting out water
Includes seat on bottom for comfort
Includes pump
Cons
No cover for retaining warmth
No built in seat
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