[Fukushima City] Bank vault to be converted into a sauna! Iizaka Onsen's "Anytime Sauna" is scheduled to open on December 1, 2026

A sauna facility called "Itsudemo Sauna" (Anytime Sauna) , utilizing a former bank building , is scheduled to open on December 1, 2026, in Iizaka Onsen, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture

The setting is the former Iizaka branch of Fukushima Bank, located at the entrance to the hot spring town. The vault used during its time as a bank will be converted into a sauna, and the facility will be reborn with a bath that draws water from the Iizaka Onsen hot spring source, as well as various relaxation spaces

Prior to opening, a crowdfunding campaign will also begin on CAMPFIRE on October 9th. The aim is to create an opportunity for people to gather again in a place that once supported the lives of the local community

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The former Fukushima Bank Iizaka Branch will be transformed into a new place for interaction

The "Anytime Sauna" project was launched by Yuhi Takahashi, who is from Fukushima City

Having lived in the Kanto and Tokai regions, saunas became an integral part of Takahashi's life, and he visited various facilities throughout the area. He says that every time he returned to his hometown, he wished there was a sauna in Fukushima that he would want to visit every day

So, in order to bring to life the "I wish it were like this" ideas I'd had at various saunas around the world, I started building the facility together with my father

The concept is "A place to reset your daily life." It aims to be a place that locals can visit regularly, while also creating a flow of people who come to Iizaka Onsen specifically for the sauna

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Behind the heavy door lies the "vault sauna."

The facility's iconic featurethe sauna, which is housed in a repurposed, authentic vault.

The old bank building still retained a vault with thick concrete walls and a heavy iron door. "Anytime Sauna" will utilize this space as a sauna room

The sauna stoves being installed are from the Finnish sauna brand "HARVIA" and the pellet stove from "SAUNEA". By combining these two types of stoves, the aim is to achieve high heat output and a stable room temperature

They say that with a pellet stove, you can feel the enveloping heat while watching a real flame. Sauna time spent in a place where cash and important documents were once stored sounds like it will be a unique experience only this building can offer

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A cold plunge pool after the sauna, and a bathroom where you can enjoy the hot spring water of Iizaka Onsen

The cold plunge pool, used after the sauna, is designed to allow you to fully immerse your body in water. We are creating a facility that values ​​the entire experience, from the sauna to the cold plunge and the subsequent rest

Furthermore, the bathroom will be supplied with hot spring water from the Iizaka Onsen source

The ability to enjoy a sauna, cold bath, and relaxation before soaking in the local hot springs is a unique charm of facilities located in hot spring towns. You can enjoy both a sauna and the Iizaka hot springs all in one place

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There are also spaces to enjoy videos and scents. Choose a relaxation spot to suit your preferences

One of the relaxation spaces, the "Healing Room," will combine visuals, scents, sounds, and wind, with the presentation changing depending on the time of day

We aim to create a space where you can not only sit quietly in a chair, but also spend your time after the sauna while being aware of the surrounding atmosphere

We plan to install approximately 30 chairs of various types in the "relaxation space" on the second floor. The aim is to create an environment where it is easy to find a place to rest even during busy times

Furthermore, a community room that can accommodate 4 to 6 people will also be installed. Whether you want to spend time quietly alone or chat with friends about the afterglow of your sauna experience, you can choose the way that suits you best

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We are currently running a crowdfunding campaign to prepare for opening our business

Prior to opening, we are conducting a crowdfunding campaign on CAMPFIRE starting October 9, 2026

The target amount is 2 million yen. This is an all-in project, meaning the project will proceed regardless of whether the target is reached. The funds raised will be used for publicity and advertising expenses, as well as for purchasing reward items

Rewards include bath tickets, participation in the pre-opening, original merchandise, and private use of the facilities. Details and terms of use can be found on the project page

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My sauna experience led me to explore the town of Iizaka Onsen

In addition to opening the facility, the project aims to create a flow where visitors can stroll through the hot spring town and enjoy the restaurants, hot springs, and inns

The plan involves creating a walking map of the town and collaborating with local businesses, aiming to create an opportunity for people to think, "I want to go back to Iizaka again," through the sauna experience

A building that has supported the lives of the local community as a bank will now become a place where people gather through a sauna. I'm looking forward to its opening as a new stopover in Iizaka Onsen

Source:Press release from Nitaka Co., Ltd. (PR TIMES)

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