Finns are sauna-loving people, with 3.3 million saunas for a population of 5.4 million. Saunas are said to have originated in Finland around 1,500 years ago, and while many people have private saunas in their homes, there are also a variety of public facilities in town. To experience an authentic Finnish sauna, I decided to visit a new sauna facility that is currently very popular in Helsinki.



LÖYLY, which opened in May 2016 in the Hernesaari district, a coastal area facing the Gulf of Finland, is a spot that combines a public sauna and restaurant bar. Since its opening, it has become popular with locals and tourists alike, and has become a new attraction in Helsinki.


©️LÖYLY
The first thing that catches your eye is its artistic architecture. Heat-treated pine is used as the building material, creating a relaxing space surrounded by trees even in the city. The terrace, where you can feel the sea breeze, is also extremely pleasant!

©️LÖYLY
In Finland, it is customary to bathe naked in a sauna, but at this facility, wearing a swimsuit is mandatory. There are separate changing rooms and showers for men and women, so Japanese people should have no qualms about using the facility. The lounge space, which serves alcohol, is also equipped with a stove, so you can spend your time drinking and soaking freely.



The facility's smoke sauna and wood-burning sauna are both large enough to accommodate around 20 people at a time. Some people sweat quietly, while others enjoy casual conversation. When the time is right, users start chatting with each other and pouring water on the heated stones inside the room...




As the steam suddenly fills the room, you'll be thrilled, thinking, "This is a real sauna!" However, for bodies not used to saunas, it can be too much. In such cases, don't hold back and leave, cooling off on the waterfront wooden deck terrace. If you wish, you can even jump into the sea. Apparently, Finns warm up their bodies in the sauna and then plunge into the seawater, even in the middle of winter (average temperature -5°C)! On the day we visited for this article, it was cold enough that coats were needed, but there were many people going back and forth between the sauna and the sea.


©️LÖYLY
The on-site restaurant is open to everyone, even those not using the sauna. Enjoy traditional Finnish salmon soup or hamburgers made with domestic beef while gazing out at the ocean. It's a very casual atmosphere, and you can even order just a drink.

The sauna fee is 19 euros for two hours, including towels, mats, and shampoo and body soap provided in the shower room. A private sauna that can accommodate up to 10 people is also available for an additional fee. In addition to the architecture, facilities, and location, the charm of this place lies in the diverse range of people who use it, regardless of age or gender. Why not deepen your international interactions in the sauna?



LÖYLY
http://www.loylyhelsinki.fi/en/front-page/

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