Onsen as a way to acclimate to summer's heat

For many of us in Japan, onsen visits are already a pretty big part of winter life. But one bathhouse group in Aichi Prefecture is now encouraging people to think about them differently, as a way to prepare the body for summer heat.

The company behind the large bath facility Okazaki Rakunoyu has launched a new heatstroke awareness campaign focused on the concept of heat acclimatization. Basically, the idea is that regularly exposing the body to heat before peak summer arrives can help people adapt more easily to rising temperatures.

According to the group, baths and saunas may help encourage sweating habits that support the adjustment process. The campaign includes posters about hydration and heatstroke prevention, along with seminars for local residents. The facility also plans to introduce a summer-only lukewarm outdoor bath set to around 36–37°C from July.

Onsen for summer acclimatization - is it something you'd incorporate?