Yakumo, a town located roughly in the center of the Oshima Peninsula in Hokkaido, is a place where primary industries like dairy farming, agriculture, and especially commercial fishing thrive. I'm Shuhei Fujitani, a member of the Community-Reactivating Cooperator Squad, here to bring you the latest local topics from Yakumo. On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, a full-scale sauna cabin, the "Pekorera Sauna," officially opened at "Pekorera Gakusha," a repurposed school facility that I am also involved in managing.

"Pekorera Gakusha" is a "schoolhouse where you can play and stay," created by renovating the former Ozeki Elementary School located high in the mountains of Yakumo. It opened in 2022 as a campground and co-working space and is now used for a variety of purposes, including camping, events, training camps, workshops, workations, and crafting.

The newly opened sauna cabin has been named "Pekorera Sauna." The project was born from a desire to "increase the number of people who can casually get involved with Yakumo" and to "create a place where people from both inside and outside the town can interact." A local carpenter from Yakumo and a woodworker from a neighboring town joined forces, and from August to October 2023, the sauna was built as a DIY project with the help of about 50 volunteer members from all over Japan. But don't let the term "DIY" fool you. Guests who attended the opening event praised it as a "high-quality, authentic cabin sauna."

The list of its proud features is endless, but here are a few highlights:
・A former elementary school campground deep in the mountains × a sauna cabin with stunning views × a heavenly cold plunge pool
・Sauna poncho and hat rentals available
・A complimentary post-sauna drink: choose one from Yakumo's local milk, coffee milk, or koji cider
・Built using local "Donan cedar" wood
...and many more!

Now, let's introduce how to best enjoy the "Pekorera Sauna." The interior is well-sealed, allowing you to enjoy a sauna experience exceeding 100°C, all while enveloped in the wonderful aroma of local Donan cedar. For those who want to turn up the heat even more, we recommend trying the löyly with Ezo spruce aroma.

After thoroughly warming your body, cool down in the incredibly liberating cold plunge pool, which is set on a slightly elevated platform. In winter, you can even dive right into the snow!

Lie down on a reclining chair right after, and you'll feel a gentle warmth spreading from within your body. This is the sensation known as "totonou." Then, quench your thirst with a unique Yakumo sauna drink.

Repeat this cycle as many times as you like. Once you've fully enjoyed the sauna, it's time to savor a "sauna meal" at the campground.

After filling your stomach, relax by a bonfire, gaze up at the star-filled sky, and when you get sleepy, head to your tent for the night.

This is the ultimate way to enjoy Pekorera Sauna. It's a luxury you can only experience deep in the mountains, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life!

"Pekorera Sauna" is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Prices start at 3,300 yen for 2 hours. Private bookings start at 19,800 yen for 2 hours. Additionally, Pekorera Gakusha is always looking for volunteer members, affectionately known as "Pekorers," to help with campground management, event planning, and operations. While we cannot offer a salary, we provide free accommodation and some assistance with meals. The greatest appeal is the many encounters you'll have with local residents and visitors from afar. Why not come and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime connections that can only be made here and now?

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Domingo Local Topics

"Domingo Local Topics" brings you the charm of various regions through the authentic voices of local people. From unique local shops and student initiatives to community-built events, the content varies by region. We deliver stories from the ground up that will make you feel closer to these local areas and inspire you to visit.