It's the Kind of Japanese Bathtub People Who Are Into Wellness All Want — But There's Something You Need to Know About the Ritual of Ofuro

A Japanese soaking tub and wooden stool, a pair of home slippers, and a wooden plinth.

"'Can we have a Japanese bathroom in the UK?' is one of the most common questions I hear from Japanese people living here," says interior designer Yoko Kloeden. "And it tells you everything about how central the ofuro is to daily life."

As one of the most relaxing Japanese wellness rituals, ofuro literally translates to bathtub; however, its meaning goes far deeper than just a bathroom feature. It's a moment to unwind, centered around a traditional soaking tub that offers natural aromatherapy.