Ever bathed in an ofuro?

It may be worth including that experience on your bucket list.

Ofuros are Japanese hot tubs deeper than typical American and European soakers.

On its website, Northern Lights Cedar Tubs and Saunas talks about the virtues of the Asian fixture.

According to the Manitoba company, bathing in Japan is “not just a bath but rather a spiritual ritual”.

Bathing in an ofuro is zen-like, “providing a sensual pleasure and a feeling of well-being and harmony with the natural surroundings, perhaps in a garden or spiritual landscape”.

“Japanese bath tubs help to restore mental and spiritual well-being by providing a private relaxation space, and they promote good health by stimulating circulation,” Northern Lights explains.

There’s one like this at a Vancouver condo unit in Chinatown.

The Japanese bath is at the rooftop patio of penthouse 901 in the nine-storey V6A condo development at 221 Union Street.

On September 7, the two-bedroom, two-bath property sold for $1,285,000.

Its 2020 valuation by B.C. Assessment was $1,194,000 as of July 1, 2019.

The sale tracked by real estate site fisherly.com came 12 days after listing by RE/MAX Crest Realty.

According to the listing, the seller spent $200,000 on renovations.

The condo unit comes with a covered patio, plus a private 436-square-foot patio.

“Lose yourself in your Japanese hot tub with gas fire side table at your side,” the listing invites.

The penthouse was listed on August 26, 2020 for $1,298,000.

A prior but terminated listing on the same day quoted a higher price of $1,398,000.

It was the same price for a terminated listing on September 8, 2019.

An earlier terminated listing on June 4, 2019 pegged the asking price at $1,499,000.