Latest news with #LeFuro
Times
a day ago
- Health
- Times
Japanese entrepreneur bottles up ‘healing' waters of ancient springs
In Japan, if one is stressed or troubled, a time-honoured cure is to head to an onsen, a hot spring, and have a soak in the company of strangers. Until now, the joy of Japan's native spa culture could be enjoyed only in one of the 3,000 onsen establishments in the archipelago itself. Now, however, Naoki Mita, an entrepreneur, believes he can bottle the unique springs and export the experience. Mita's company Le Furo has developed a method to extract the mineral content found in hot springs, concentrate it 10,000 times and store it in bottles or small tanks. Called Craft Onsen, it can be added to fresh water to recreate spring water, which has a range of purported health benefits. NORIKO HAYASHI/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES Le Furo wants to use that technology to open onsen facilities in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Gulf, but with a twist. Instead of the enormous volumes of water used at onsen in Japan, the planned spas would be hammam-style steam baths. Customers would don spa wear instead of bathing nude as is the custom in Japan. 'The technology is very similar to a coffee machine,' says Mita. 'Instead of beans, we use pebbles and stones. We blend them and then change the pressure, temperature, and, most importantly, PH levels. Then we have high-density liquid onsen, which is our original technology.' A volcanic archipelago, Japan is poor in natural resources but rich in geothermal activity, with about 28,000 hot springs, each with a unique mix of minerals from the local mountains and soil. Certified by the environment ministry, many are tapped by municipal governments and open to bathers at onsen resort inns. With minerals such as iron, zinc and magnesium, the waters are believed to de-stress, beautify skin and help with conditions like neuralgia. NORIKO HAYASHI FOR THE WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGES SVEN HAGOLANI/GETTY IMAGES Mita was working as an investment banker who dealt in natural resources like oil and gas. He happened to be soaking in a spring not long after the 2011 earthquake that devastated northeastern Japan when he hit upon the idea of commodifying traditional bathing. Mita founded Le Furo in 2013 and has since established Craft Onsen factories and a steam bath spa in Tokyo's Azabujuban neighborhood. He wants to open more plants across Japan and get the Japanese government to invest in his company. 'I want to contribute to the country rather than my personal profit,' says Mita. 'We have few natural resources, which led to war in the past. I also want to contribute to global wellness and wellbeing, so I think onsen can become a natural resource.'
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Japanese venture seeks to 'condense' hot springs for export
TOKYO: Japan's famous "onsen" hot springs were long considered unexportable, until an idea struck Naoki Mita one day: what if he could condense them like espresso coffee? Mita's Tokyo-based venture firm, Le Furo, has invented a technology it calls "craft onsen" -- whereby hot spring ingredients are extracted and filtered into an ultra-high concentration. Le Furo now seeks to use that patented technology to export Japan's hot springs overseas, with a view toward opening several onsen facilities in the Gulf region in 2026. Transporting hot springs overseas long seemed logistically impossible because of the sheer volume of water involved, as well as their susceptibility to germs. But with Le Furo's invention, "just like you extract coffee as espresso, we grind the mineral resources to fine, sand-like powders," CEO Naoki Mita told AFP. The entrepreneur says many commercially available "onsen powders" are synthetic and put an emphasis on mimicking the relaxing colour and scent, and don't necessarily contain the necessary ingredients. Only after solid metals such as iron, magnesium and zinc dissolve into water does it become possible to chemically resemble onsen and recreate the therapeutic effect, Mita said. Le Furo's technology sticks to the natural soil and minerals of hot spring sources, and uses a special method to make them soluble in water. Its "Craft Onsen" concentrate comes in bottles or small tanks, which can then be distributed and poured into water in other countries to feel like the real thing. Onsens -- bath houses where patrons relax naked together in hot spring water of various temperatures -- are a major domestic industry in Japan beloved by both locals and tourists. As of 2021, Japan was home to 28,000 confirmed hot spring sources, according to the environment ministry. Le Furo is setting its sights particularly on countries like the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia where "water is considered a more precious resource than oil", Mita says. "Here in Japan, we have this culture of soaking ourselves in a good, long bath to attain better health -- that's the kind of story that I believe (other countries) will show great interest in," Mita said. - AFP
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Hot spring in a bottle? Japan's ‘craft onsen' venture seeks to export the essence of onsen to the world
TOKYO, Aug 14 — Japan's famous 'onsen' hot springs were long considered unexportable, until an idea struck Naoki Mita one day: what if he could condense them like espresso coffee? Mita's Tokyo-based venture firm, Le Furo, has invented a technology it calls 'craft onsen' — whereby hot spring ingredients are extracted and filtered into an ultra-high concentration. Le Furo now seeks to use that patented technology to export Japan's hot springs overseas, with a view toward opening several onsen facilities in the Gulf region in 2026. Transporting hot springs overseas long seemed logistically impossible because of the sheer volume of water involved, as well as their susceptibility to germs. But with Le Furo's invention, 'just like you extract coffee as espresso, we grind the mineral resources to fine, sand-like powders,' CEO Naoki Mita told AFP. The entrepreneur says many commercially available 'onsen powders' are synthetic and put an emphasis on mimicking the relaxing colour and scent, and don't necessarily contain the necessary ingredients. Only after solid metals such as iron, magnesium and zinc dissolve into water does it become possible to chemically resemble onsen and recreate the therapeutic effect, Mita said. Le Furo's technology sticks to the natural soil and minerals of hot spring sources, and uses a special method to make them soluble in water. Its 'Craft Onsen' concentrate comes in bottles or small tanks, which can then be distributed and poured into water in other countries to feel like the real thing. Onsens — bath houses where patrons relax naked together in hot spring water of various temperatures — are a major domestic industry in Japan beloved by both locals and tourists. As of 2021, Japan was home to 28,000 confirmed hot spring sources, according to the environment ministry. Le Furo is setting its sights particularly on countries like the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia where 'water is considered a more precious resource than oil', Mita says. 'Here in Japan, we have this culture of soaking ourselves in a good, long bath to attain better health — that's the kind of story that I believe (other countries) will show great interest in,' Mita said. — AFP
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Japan venture seeks to export ‘espresso' of hot springs
As of 2021, Japan was home to 28,000 confirmed hot spring sources, according to the environment ministry. (AFP pic) TOKYO : Japan's famous 'onsen' hot springs were long considered unexportable, until an idea struck Naoki Mita one day: what if he could condense them like espresso coffee? Mita's Tokyo-based venture firm, Le Furo, has invented a technology it calls 'craft onsen' – whereby hot spring ingredients are extracted and filtered into an ultra-high concentration. Le Furo now seeks to use that patented technology to export Japan's hot springs overseas, with a view toward opening several onsen facilities in the Gulf region in 2026. Transporting hot springs overseas long seemed logistically impossible because of the sheer volume of water involved, as well as their susceptibility to germs. However, with Le Furo's invention, 'just like you extract coffee as espresso, we grind the mineral resources to fine, sand-like powders,' CEO Naoki Mita told AFP. The entrepreneur says many commercially available 'onsen powders' are synthetic and put an emphasis on mimicking the relaxing colour and scent, and don't necessarily contain the necessary ingredients. 'Only after solid metals such as iron, magnesium and zinc dissolve into water does it become possible to chemically resemble onsen and recreate the therapeutic effect,' Mita said. Le Furo's technology sticks to the natural soil and minerals of hot spring sources, and uses a special method to make them soluble in water. Its 'Craft Onsen' concentrate comes in bottles or small tanks, which can then be distributed and poured into water in other countries to feel like the real thing. Onsens – bath houses where patrons relax naked together in hot spring water of various temperatures – are a major domestic industry in Japan beloved by both locals and tourists. As of 2021, Japan was home to 28,000 confirmed hot spring sources, according to the environment ministry. Le Furo is setting its sights particularly on countries like the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia where 'water is considered a more precious resource than oil', Mita says. 'Here in Japan, we have this culture of soaking ourselves in a good, long bath to attain better health – that's the kind of story that I believe (other countries) will show great interest in,' Mita said.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Japanese venture seeks to ‘condense' hot springs for export overseas
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Transporting hot springs overseas long seemed logistically impossible because of the sheer volume of water involved, as well as their susceptibility to germs. TOKYO - Japan's famous 'onsen' hot springs were long considered unexportable, until an idea struck Mr Naoki Mita one day: What if he could condense them like espresso coffee? Mr Mita's Tokyo-based venture firm, Le Furo, has invented a technology it calls 'craft onsen' – whereby hot spring ingredients are extracted and filtered into an ultra-high concentration. Le Furo now seeks to use that patented technology to export Japan's hot springs overseas, with a view towards opening several onsen facilities in the Gulf region in 2026. Transporting hot springs overseas long seemed logistically impossible because of the sheer volume of water involved, as well as their susceptibility to germs. But with Le Furo's invention, 'just like you extract coffee as espresso, we grind the mineral resources to fine, sand-like powders', Mr Mita told AFP. The entrepreneur and chief executive officer says many commercially available 'onsen powders' are synthetic and put an emphasis on mimicking the relaxing colour and scent, and do not necessarily contain the necessary ingredients. Only after solid metals such as iron, magnesium and zinc dissolve into water does it become possible to chemically resemble onsen and recreate the therapeutic effect, Mr Mita said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: SCDF says PMD battery could have started fatal blaze Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort Business MyRepublic customers to see no immediate changes to existing services: StarHub Singapore To Vers or not to Vers: How will this scheme affect HDB prices? Asia From Brazil to Vietnam: How footballer Rafaelson became Vietnam's favourite 'Son' Asia Malaysian MP Rafizi says his son was jabbed with syringe in planned attack, threatened with Aids Asia India, Singapore ministers discuss deeper tie-ups in digitalisation, skills, industrial parks Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength Le Furo's technology sticks to the natural soil and minerals of hot spring sources, and uses a special method to make them soluble in water. Its 'craft onsen' concentrate comes in bottles or small tanks, which can then be distributed and poured into water in other countries to feel like the real thing. Onsens – bath houses where patrons relax naked together in hot spring water of various temperatures – are a major domestic industry in Japan beloved by both locals and tourists. As at 2021, Japan was home to 28,000 confirmed hot spring sources, according to the environment ministry. Le Furo is setting its sights particularly on countries like the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Saudi Arabia where 'water is considered a more precious resource than oil', Mr Mita says. 'Here in Japan, we have this culture of soaking ourselves in a good, long bath to attain better health – that's the kind of story that I believe (other countries) will show great interest in,' he said. AFP
