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Original poster

Japanese soaking tubs

31 replies

highlandcoo · 21/02/2020 12:49

Does anyone have one or has used one?

We're reconfiguring our bathroom and hoping to fit in a walk-in shower but the room's not huge. Thought replacing the bath with one of these might be the answer. Essentially a bit like an individual hot tub.

Would be so helpful to know if anyone has (and loves hopefully!) one.

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Original poster
highlandcoo · 21/02/2020 19:31

bumping for the evening crowd Smile

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takeyourrubbishhome · 21/02/2020 19:33

When I was a student a friend had one in their flat. I used it a few times as we had no bath at all, and it was really nice. You sort of sit curled up in deep water. Probably not that practical with young kids but otherwise very nice

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 21/02/2020 19:33

I stayed in a hotel.in Hastings that had one. I bloody loved it and am saving for an omnitub when we redo our en suite next year

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Home improvement
CuteOrangeElephant · 21/02/2020 19:36

I used one in Japan, loved it.

I stayed in one in an Airbnb too once but that was more like a small pool Grin

YukoandHiro · 21/02/2020 19:38

I've used one in Japan. They're nice, but too hot.

Boopear · 21/02/2020 19:38

I have one! The Omnitub solo. I love it (and I'm not really a bath person!) It stays warm for ages, the water is up to my shoulders which is so luxurious and I just sit sipping wine/reading for ages. You do need to have a stand fitted though for it to stand in so check with your bathroom person to see if they can do this.

Abelino · 21/02/2020 19:40

I love mine! I have the basic Omnitub and I enjoy it so much more than regular baths. No matter how large our next bathroom may be, we'll be getting another one.

If you like long baths like me, the water stays hot for absolutely ages. And it's really nice being able to just sit normally, submerged up to the shoulders. If you have someone really tall in your household they might not enjoy it as much, though.

picklesdragonisawelshdragon · 21/02/2020 19:45

How hard is it to get in and out? I've been thinking of this for my next bathroom!

wtftodo · 21/02/2020 19:52

I have an Omnitub and hate it. Tricky to bath kids, tricky for relatives to get in and out (our shower is overhead), takes longer to fill, can’t stretch legs out or wash hair in it. Saving up to change it

Abelino · 21/02/2020 19:54

@picklesdragonisawelshdragon I have mine on a raised floor, so in the bathroom you step up from the toilet area into the bath area (if that makes sense...). The bath is installed on the actual floor, which makes the step out much less severe - from the outside it doesn't look as deep as it is.

I'd be fine if I did have to step all the way to the floor, though, but if you have mobility issues it'd be worth seeing if you can see one in real life first.

chuffoff · 21/02/2020 21:13

I loved my omnitub, had it in my old house which was the tiniest bathroom. It was just the most luxurious bath, we had a rainfall shower over it. Would give anything to soak in it now at 40 weeks pregnant with spd.

chuffoff · 21/02/2020 21:17

Also had it with a step leading up to it... estate agents pics attached

Japanese soaking tubs
Japanese soaking tubs
Original poster
highlandcoo · 22/02/2020 00:59

Thanks all; I really appreciate the comments.

We would also have a walk-in shower so accessibility wouldn't be an issue for anyone who found it hard to climb into. I like the one in your photo chuffoff but if we didn't have the floorspace I guess a small stool would also work.

I managed to visit the Cabuchon showroom today and it was great to be able to sit in six different models. Some have very moulded seats but I preferred the simpler style.The Calyx is long enough to stretch out my legs so would probably go for that.

I took dragged my husband along too and we could actually sit facing one another pretty comfortably .. although I'm mainly picturing the sipping wine/reading combo as Boopear describes upthread Grin

Feeling very enthusiastic now!!

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DownUdderer · 22/02/2020 01:53

I want one of these so much! It's on my list if we ever re do the bathroom or en suite.

picklesdragonisawelshdragon · 22/02/2020 13:12

Thank you Chuffoff and Abalino! That's definitely something I'll aspire to, now I know I'll be able to manage!

I've had some mobility issues, and apart from getting in and out the sit tub will be better. When I was at my worst, I couldn't weight bear on my arms, so a normal bath was very difficult to get out of.

jay55 · 22/02/2020 13:49

Had one in a hotel. Loved soaking up to my chin. Hated it for practical stuff like shaving legs.

ActualHornist · 22/02/2020 13:54

I don’t think they’re supposed to be for washing and shaving legs are they?

I wouldn’t have one unless I had a separate shower. Pretty sure you’re supposed to wash before you get in.

MitziK · 22/02/2020 14:18

You'd need a very longhandled scrubber to clean it without doing your back in - and if there are small children around, I'd think that some sort of lid would be safer than having the chance of them getting/falling in when it's empty - or throwing a million toys in that you'd have to retrieve (a litter picker would work for that, I guess).

And cats are bastards for getting themselves into stupid places they can't get out of.

I'd still love one, though - especially the ones that are temperature controlled.

If you've got the money, definitely get a Japanese style toilet as well.

WhiteBadger · 22/02/2020 14:24

Wow that sounds amazing. I've googled but can't find pictures with someone in it.

I can't quite understand how it would look/feel.

Original poster
highlandcoo · 22/02/2020 18:36

pickles there was one tub I saw yesterday with quite a moulded seat and arm rests. Looked very comfortable. It also had small grab bars fitted as standard to help with getting in and out.

I'll PM you the details

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Original poster
highlandcoo · 22/02/2020 18:39

Whitebadger I've been in a couple on holiday in Japan.

It's like sitting in a little hot tub really. Some are quite shaped and some very simple, but all have some sort of step inside so it can be a bit like sitting in a chair, and the water comes up much higher than an ordinary bath.

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Original poster
highlandcoo · 22/02/2020 18:41

MitsiK the kids are bigger than me and no random animals around either thankfully Grin

I would love a Japanese toilet!

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TalaxuArmiuna · 22/02/2020 18:45

I asked this on the other thread you started but that one is less active. how easy would it be to get in and out without a step? I assumed one could just sit on the edge and then rotate?

picklesdragonisawelshdragon · 22/02/2020 20:45

Talaxu, look down at chuffoff and abalino s posts.

Original poster
highlandcoo · 22/02/2020 21:20

They do vary Talaxu. Some are higher and a step would be helpful, some not so high-sided. I'm pretty agile so wouldn't be using a step .. we don't really have room to install one anyway but we do have a little fold-up stool if anyone was visiting and needed that.

When you climb in you are climbing onto a slightly raised area if that makes sense. But will depend on the individual I guess.

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