Refreshing Like a Sauna: A New At-Home 'Reset' Ritual with Warm Showers and Neutral-Temperature Baths

Panasonic Housing Solutions Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Masashi Yamada; Head Office: Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture; hereinafter 'the Company') announces the launch on July 13, 2026, of a new bathing style called 'Refresh Switch Style' (※1), developed in consultation with Professor Masashi Kasahara of the Department of Physical Education, International Budo University. The Company will also fully roll out personalized bathing recommendations by 'Bath Sommeliers' tailored to each individual's values and lifestyle.

Background

The Company has long positioned the bathroom not merely as a place to wash the body, but as a space to enjoy comfortable and enriching moments.

In Japanese society, digitalization and changes in work styles have led many people to experience stress from work, housework, childcare, relationships, and information overload. According to an internal survey (※2), approximately 63% of respondents reported feeling fatigued in daily life, and about 70% said they were not sufficiently refreshing themselves at home. At the same time, while interest in saunas and alternating hot-cold baths has increased in recent years, many people feel they 'don’t have time' or 'can’t sustain it daily' to incorporate these into their routines.

In response to this situation, the Company, drawing on insights from sports science and conditioning research, proposes 'Chifure Bath' (※4), a bathing habit combining warm showers and lukewarm baths (neutral-temperature bathing (※3)), which can be easily adopted into daily life. This leverages the Company’s unique features such as 'Oxygen Beauty Bath' and 'Electric Floor Heating'.

The Company’s business slogan is 'Creating the “forever” of living. Green Housing,' aiming to address evolving values and social challenges to build a sustainable, enriched society.

<Features>

1. Industry-first proposal of at-home alternating baths using neutral temperature: 'Chifure Bath' (※4)

2. Full-scale launch of 'Bath Sommelier' recommendations, shifting from 'bathroom selection' to 'bathing style selection'

3. New initiatives to strengthen the outreach of 'Bath Sommelier' recommendations

[Features]

1. Industry-first proposal of at-home alternating baths using neutral temperature: 'Chifure Bath' (※4)

'Refresh Switch Style' is a bathing method developed based on the expertise of Professor Masashi Kasahara of International Budo University, who specializes in conditioning science and athletic training. According to the Company’s survey (※2), 63.3% of respondents answered 'strongly' or 'somewhat' to the question of whether they feel tired daily, and 79.5% said they often start the next day still feeling tired. In today’s information-driven society, many people feel 'daily fatigue.' Furthermore, about 70% responded that they are 'not sufficiently refreshing at home,' with 'lack of time' (44.9%) and 'not knowing how' (38.6%) cited as main reasons.

'Refresh Switch Style' (※1) proposes a new bathing experience that gently uses temperature differences to comfortably reset one’s mood. Symbolic of this is the 'Chifure Bath' (※4), an industry-first combination of a warm shower at around 42°C and a lukewarm bath (neutral-temperature bath) at around 36°C. Users alternate between warm showers and lukewarm baths, ending with a relaxed cool-down under a gentle breeze. 'Chifure' is a coined term inspired by 'Chill out' and 'Refresh.' Rather than intense stimulation, it offers a pleasant, subtle fluctuation through small temperature differences, proposing a bathing style for mental reset at home. In Panasonic bathrooms, the industry-unique (※6) 'Electric Floor Heating' gently warms from the feet up, while 'Oxygen Beauty Bath' enhances comfort during lukewarm bathing with its soft, microbubble-induced skin sensation.

By combining warm showers, lukewarm baths, and cooling breezes, the Company proposes an environment where 'Chifure Bath' (※4) can be comfortably enjoyed at home. As a new, easy-to-sustain habit for mental refreshment—distinct from saunas—the Company will promote 'Refresh Switch Style'.

Example of 'Chifure Bath' bathing routine:

Beam Shower: A large showerhead warms the entire body pleasantly. Electric Floor Heating: Keeps feet comfortably warm from the ground up. Oxygen Beauty Bath (Microbubble Bath): Soft microbubbles provide a gentle touch, making lukewarm water feel pleasant. Auto Louver Heater & Ventilation Dryer: Cools down comfortably with three swing-pattern cool airflows.

Visual: Abundant microbubbles from 'Oxygen Beauty Bath' enveloping the entire body

2. Shifting from 'Bathroom Selection' to 'Bathing Style Selection': Full Rollout of 'Bath Sommelier' Recommendations

Bathroom selection has traditionally focused on size, price, cleanability, and functionality. However, analysis of over 2,000 'Bathing Style Check' results revealed that consumers’ values regarding bathrooms are diversifying. People seek different things from bathing—'to relax,' 'to focus on beauty,' 'to bathe safely,' or 'to refresh their mood.'

Therefore, the Company will fully launch 'Bath Sommelier'-led bathing recommendations, pioneering the industry (※6). 'Bath Sommeliers' are staff members among Panasonic’s showroom advisors who have undergone training in bathing knowledge under the supervision of Takeshi Matsunaga, 'The Bath Sommelier.' The Company has established an internal certification system to train 'Bath Sommeliers.' By entering 'Bath Sommelier' when booking a showroom visit, customers can receive guided consultations based on bathing expertise.

Aligned with age, lifestyle, bathing habits, and values, the Company will propose four bathing styles: Relax (Good Night), Heat Safe, Beauty Care, and Refresh (Switch). The Company will evolve its bathroom proposals from 'bathroom selection' to 'bathing style selection.'

Based on these four styles, the Company will move beyond one-size-fits-all bathroom recommendations to promote personalized 'bathing style selection' tailored to each individual.

Flow of 'Bath Sommelier' recommendations

Four bathing styles by 'Bath Sommelier'

Takeshi Matsunaga, The Bath Sommelier

Bath Sommelier, Bath Sensation Designer, Beauty Bath Specialist, Onsen Bathing Instructor (Ministry of Health, Labour and Environment), Onsen Health Advisor, Onsen Tourism Practitioner, ORP Advisor, Onsen Sommelier, Member of Japan Onsen Regional Society, Japan Onsen Science Society, Japan Sauna Society, Health and Onsen Forum, President of BATHLIE Co., Ltd., President of BATHLIE Plus Co., Ltd., Representative of YOKUSULU LLC

About 'Bath Sommelier' Recommendations

End-User Testimonial

After owning a secondhand house for about 10 years, I became concerned about the bathroom’s coldness in winter and my child’s skin. I started considering a bathroom renovation. I visited multiple manufacturers’ showrooms, and while each product had its appeal, I was confused: 'Which bathroom truly suits us?'

That’s when I experienced the 'Bath Sommelier' at the Panasonic showroom.