Auberge Villa KUON (Miyazu, Kyoto), a fully private one-group-per-day villa in the Amanohashidate area, has added two types of private sauna to its offerings: an outdoor Finnish-style sauna with a panoramic view of the Sea of Japan, and an onsen steam spa utilizing the property's natural spring water. With this addition, the villa now provides a fully integrated "sauna + hot spring + gourmet dining" experience within a single private property. The villa has evolved from a gourmet auberge into a sauna-inclusive auberge.
The villa's official website is https://www.glamping-kuon.com/.
Two New Private Saunas
SAUNA OCEAN VIVA / KUON SIGNATURE
— An outdoor private Finnish-style sauna where guests take in unobstructed sea views —
The outdoor sauna built exclusively for KUON guests features Nordic heat-treated timber designed to withstand the salty sea air without warping or cracking. The adjacent outdoor cooling area offers unobstructed views of the Sea of Japan and the sky. The sauna supports self-löyly (adding water to the heated sauna stones), so guests can fill the space with their preferred aromatherapy scent and enjoy as many rounds as they like at their own pace.
ONSEN STEAM SPA / MILD EDITION
— A gentle bathing experience using "Gin Onsen" spring water rich in metasilicic acid —
The steam sauna installed inside the bathroom takes advantage of the property's "Gin Onsen" (Silver Hot Spring), which is rich in metasilicic acid. Fine, mineral-infused steam fills the room, offering a mild bathing experience that moisturizes the skin. This "third bathing experience" — combining natural spring water and steam — is accessible to those who find high-heat dry saunas uncomfortable, guests with young children, or first-time sauna visitors.
Upcoming Additions in Late June 2026
Two further enhancements are planned for late June 2026.
Natural Underground Water Cold Plunge Pool
The property plans to introduce a flow-through cold plunge pool using natural groundwater drawn from the site itself. The water quality has cleared drinking-water standards under Japan's Waterworks Act and will be supplied without chlorination — a rare setup across Japan. Underground water maintains a near-constant temperature year-round and is expected to stay in the 16–18°C range that many sauna enthusiasts consider ideal. The water contains natural minerals including calcium and magnesium, and the absence of chlorine makes it gentle on skin and hair.
Pellet Stove — Warmth and Flame After the Sauna
A domestic pellet stove is also planned for installation inside the residence. The sight of dancing flames visible through the glass panel aims to guide guests into deeper relaxation following the sauna and hot spring experience. Wood pellets are classified as carbon-neutral fuel, making this a sustainable choice from a responsible tourism perspective. The intended wellness sequence at KUON will be: sauna → cold plunge → outdoor cooling → sitting by the fire.
Background: Growing Demand for Private Saunas
Sauna culture in Japan has shifted from a passing trend to an established part of daily life. An estimated 6 million people visit saunas at least once a month, and the bathing and spa industry has recovered to its highest level since the pandemic period, partly driven by continued sauna demand. Within this broader trend, demand for private and exclusive-use sauna experiences has been growing.
Auberge Villa KUON aims to serve a range of guests seeking high-value stays — including anniversary couples, reward-trip travelers, families with children, large group bookings, and wellness retreat visitors — by combining its established gourmet dining with the new wellness offerings.
Three Core Experiences at KUON
1. Gourmet Auberge: Live-Fire Gastronomy with a Private Chef
The villa offers a fully private dining experience where a professional chef prepares each course tableside using live fire. Seasonal specialties from the Kyoto coast and mountains include Taiza crab and Matsuba crab in winter, charcoal-grilled Ine-grown yellowtail, Miyazu Bay oysters, and in-house dry-aged Kuroge Wagyu, all sourced from local producers. Meals are served at a counter-style private dining area with sea views.
Because the dining space is within the villa itself, guests can enjoy wine and sake pairings without worrying about driving. Families with children can dine without concern for other guests nearby, and after the meal, the bedrooms are just steps away.
2. Wellness: Two Private Saunas and Two Natural Hot Springs
The outdoor Finnish sauna "SAUNA OCEAN VIVA / KUON SIGNATURE" operates at 80–90°C and accommodates up to 3 guests, with self-löyly capability and panoramic Sea of Japan views through insulated glass panels. The "ONSEN STEAM SPA / MILD EDITION" uses Gin Onsen spring water to produce soft, mineral-rich steam for a gentler experience. The "Kin Onsen" (Gold Hot Spring), a salt-mineral spring, is also available for warming the body from within.
3. Complete Privacy: A Fully Exclusive Villa for One Group
Unlike a hotel room, KUON is a fully independent villa on a 429.52 m² lot with a residence of approximately 200 m². The 4LDK layout includes two 6-tatami Japanese-style rooms, two twin-bed Western-style rooms, a living room, and a dining area, accommodating up to 8 guests. A private pool is available during summer. The villa is suited for anniversary couples, multi-generational family trips, group stays, and wellness retreats alike.
Who KUON Is For
Couples and anniversary stays
The terrace sauna with Amanohashidate views, a live-fire dinner with wine and champagne pairings, and a private pool create a setting for proposals, wedding anniversaries, and birthdays without interruption. No travel by car is needed after dinner.
Families with children and multi-generational groups
The villa has no age restrictions and accommodates up to 8 guests, making it suitable for three-generation family stays. The fully private space means children can be active without concern for other guests nearby. The ONSEN STEAM SPA's gentle steam is also suitable for young children and those not accustomed to high-temperature saunas.
Group stays of up to 8 guests
The spacious residence and outdoor terrace make KUON a good fit for reunions, women's group trips, family outings, or any gathering of up to 8 people. Guests can enjoy drinks freely without worrying about driving back.
Women's trips and sauna enthusiasts
Two sauna types within a single villa — the Finnish-style SAUNA OCEAN VIVA with ocean views and the onsen-based ONSEN STEAM SPA — together with the skin-softening properties of the Gin Onsen, offer a wellness-focused stay.
Wellness retreats and digital detox stays
A seaside location away from the city, combining sauna, hot springs, and wood-fire cuisine, serves as a setting for solo travel, reward trips, and wellness retreats.
Facility Details
Facility name: Auberge Villa KUON
Location: 3090-11 Hioki, Miyazu-shi, Kyoto 626-0225
Area: Kyoto / Amanohashidate (Sea of Kyoto / Tango region)
Style: Single-building, exclusively for one group (one group per day maximum)
Size: Site approximately 429.52 m² / Residence approximately 200 m² (4LDK)
In-room hot springs: Two types — "Kin Onsen" (salt mineral spring) and "Gin Onsen" (metasilicic acid spring)
Private Sauna 1: SAUNA OCEAN VIVA / KUON SIGNATURE (outdoor Finnish-style / 80–90°C / self-löyly / 3-person capacity)
Private Sauna 2: ONSEN STEAM SPA / MILD EDITION (indoor steam sauna using Gin Onsen / metasilicic acid content)
Cold Plunge Pool (scheduled for late June 2026): Flow-through natural groundwater (drinking-water quality certified)
Pellet Stove (scheduled for late June 2026): Domestic brand / hybrid radiant and convective heating
Other facilities: Private pool, counter-style private dining area
Maximum capacity: Up to 8 guests
Access: Approximately 2 hours by car from the Kansai metropolitan area / Shuttle service available from Amanohashidate Station (reservation required)
Official website: https://www.glamping-kuon.com/
