How to survive winter, the Japanese way

With November just days away, winter is coming. Sure, you could get through it by hibernating under a big cozy blanket and not seeing your friends for a few months. Or, you can cope the Japanese way: Take a bath and get on with it.

Apartment Therapy recently highlighted the beloved custom of soaking in an ofuro—AKA a luxurious, deep tub that you can submerge your entire body in, chin-to-toes. Apparently in Japan, it’s normal to have a good soak in an ofuro for half an hour every day. Getting clean is not the only point of these long, luscious soaks. It is simply to relax.

And before you start thinking about how wasteful their winter habit is, Apartment Therapy points out that Japanese home designers have taken that into consideration, too, designing tubs that use less water than most American ones.

Whether upgrading your bathroom to house a traditional Japanese deep soaking tub is feasible or not for you, the tradition is all about getting heat into your body—so feel free to improvise with your regular American-style bathtub. In summer, you can heat up your body by bathing in the sun, feeling its warmth on your skin. So in winter, water works in its place—especially if you have some dreamy essential oils and bath products handy. Cold weather is coming? Bring it on.

Here’s how to turn your bathroom into a luxurious sanctuary. And these robes are seriously self-care chic.