The world’s first and Kansai’s first earthbag sauna “continues the connection between earth and fire”

The World’s First and Kansai’s First Earth Bag Sauna “Continues the Tradition of Earth and Fire” ​
Gene Gross Co., Ltd. Press Release: November 1, 2025 The world’s first and Kansai’s first earthbag sauna “continues the traditions of earth and fire” Okinawa’s “Sakyo KakeRu” and Shiga’s “Shigaraki Sauna” will release a limited-edition collaborative T-shirt and stickers starting November 11th. The first product in a collaboration project connecting earth and fire has been announced. Sakyo KakeRu (Sakyo Kakeru), which built the world’s first earthbag sauna, “THE ZEN,” in Onna Village, Okinawa (operated by Aienkien Co., Ltd.), and SHIGARAKI SAUNA (Shigaraki Sauna), which completed the first earthbag sauna in the Kansai region in Koka City, Shiga (operated by Gene Gross Co., Ltd.), have teamed up to release collaborative T-shirts and stickers exclusively at both facilities starting on Monday, November 11, 2025, “Totonoi Day.”
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The two companies have built saunas using earthbags, a natural soil material, and have developed a relationship of trust through their construction projects. Based on the shared value of “carrying on the earth and fire,” they have launched a new collaboration project with the aim of spreading “Earthbag Sauna Culture” beyond regions and countries. This product is the first in the series. T-shirts and stickers are available in two designs: “Okinawa design” and “Shiga design.” The Okinawa design, based on the theme of “Earth Hug. Pure Chill,” is a highly spiritual design that combines unique motifs symbolizing the five elements philosophy and firewood, including the catenary curves characteristic of earthbags.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154020/5/154020-5-d9f9e6e31656025e203b4d8fa881b524-2142×1172.png T-shirts designed by Okinawa’s Sago KakeRu. Available at both Sago KakeRu and SHIGARAKI SAUNA. Available in five colors. Available in store-exclusive colors.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154020/5/154020-5-5c3a092c0ed3e65c1de0c9a8d679c9b8-1668×1086.png Two types of Okinawa-designed stickers are available in six colors each. Available for purchase at both Sago KakeRu and SHIGARAKI SAUNA stores. On the other hand, the Shiga model is themed around “Fusion,” featuring a powerful visual that combines the shisa, the guardian deity of Okinawa, with the raccoon dog, the symbol of Shigaraki ware, in a tribal style. It is a symbolic piece that intersects the cultures and aesthetic sensibilities of different lands.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154020/5/154020-5-74c2e7ad2839d874cd20779f3e505f3b-2422×1276.png This T-shirt was designed by Shiga’s SHIGARAKI SAUNA. It’s available for purchase at both the Sago KakeRu and SHIGARAKI SAUNA locations. All 3 colors
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154020/5/154020-5-6ca40a83b84f53c2229e693702ec994b-1766×774.png Shiga-design stickers are available in two colors. Available for purchase at both Sago KakeRu and SHIGARAKI SAUNA stores. Each product is a “pilgrimage item” produced in limited quantities and sold only locally, symbolizing a new trend in Earthbag sauna culture. Further developments and product announcements are planned for the future. [Product Overview] Release Date: Monday, November 11, 2025 Sales Locations ・Shigaraki Sauna (Shigaraki-cho, Koka City, Shiga
Prefecture) ・Sakyo KakeRu (Onna Village, Okinawa Prefecture) Product ・Collaboration T-shirts (Okinawa design/Shiga design) ¥4,800 each (tax included) ・Collaboration stickers (Okinawa design/Shiga design) ¥500 each (tax included) *All items are sold locally only and in limited quantities. We are also considering expanding online in the future. 【Comment from the CEO】 Tomokazu Matsui, Representative of Sakyo KakeRu “In the process of evolving from THE ZEN to KUu, the hard work I put in with the Shigaraki team was a great asset. I hope this
collaboration will spark further expansion of the ‘Earthbag Sauna Culture.'” SHIGARAKI SAUNA Representative Masataka Nakamura “After experiencing this world-first, I was convinced and worked with kakeRu on the construction project. I’m grateful to be able to partner with them in this new way. I want to pass on the culture connected by earth and fire to future generations.” 【Facility Information】
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154020/5/154020-5-76bb5d736fdd62ec6de931002bd28ee5-3900×2929.jpg Sago kakeRu (Onna Village, Okinawa Prefecture) 〒904-0416 2816 Yamada, Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture TEL: 098-989-6953 https://www.kakeru37.com
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154020/5/154020-5-70115362be76aa74a0dce55a1779130b-3900×2929.jpg SHIGARAKI SAUNA (Shigaraki-cho, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture) 〒529-1842 457 Shimoasamiya, Shigaraki-cho, Koka-shi, Shiga Prefecture TEL: 077-564-3133 https://shigaraki37.jp