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Q: an ofuro, a japonese soaking tub ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   0 Comments )
Question  
Subject: an ofuro, a japonese soaking tub
Category: Family and Home > Home
Asked by: tomtom1-ga
List Price: $25.00
Posted: 28 Apr 2004 15:52 PDT
Expires: 28 May 2004 15:52 PDT
Question ID: 337905
Where or from whom can I obtain a traditional japanese soaking tub, called an OFURO?
Answer  
Subject: Re: an ofuro, a japonese soaking tub
Answered By: pinkfreud-ga on 28 Apr 2004 16:33 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
I have found these sources for traditional Japanese wooden tubs:

Inside Out Enterprises
http://insiderweb.com/ofuro_soon.htm

Robert's Hot Tubs
http://www.rhtubs.com/ofuro.htm

SeaOtter Woodworks
http://www.woodentubs.com/tubs_ofuro.html

Oregon Hinoki Products
http://www.molalla.net/ohp/

At the bottom of this page you'll find a list of contractors in
California who have experience in designing Japanese-style bathrooms:

"Are you interested in the Japanese style bathroom?

This is information about constractors who have experienced to
designing & making Japanese style bathroom, and installing TAKAGI
tank-less water heater. They have many of idea and actual
installation. Please contact them who take care of your area. They
will help your application for remodeling your bathroom."

TAKAGI Japanese FRP Box Bath Tub
http://www.at-house.net/waterheater/takagitub.htm

From an article in Forbes:

"Wooden Japanese-style soaking tubs are the new 'in-thing.' These are
deeper than Western tubs, reducing surface heat loss and enabling more
than one bather to be comfortably immersed up to their chins...

In North America, no one makes them like Bay Area-based Robert's Hot
Tubs. The company makes ofuros ($5500), square, wooden tubs crafted
from richly colored teak or aromatic Port Orford cedar. But unlike
Japanese tubs, Robert's Hot Tubs' ofuros are water-tight (thanks to a
special joinery system) and may come outfitted with modern jets as
well as heating and filtration systems.

American Reinforced Plastics makes a round, moderately-priced ($444)
version out of gel-coated fiberglass. ARP plant manager Merle Van
Doren has seen the demand for its Asian-style soaking tub explode in
the past year. It uses everyday plumbing, so there's no need for
special water treatment, heating or filtration. Also, unlike hot tubs,
it's quiet."

Forbes: Splashing Out
http://www.forbes.com/2001/03/16/0316home.html

Here are some deep soaking tubs made with modern materials:

American Reinforced Plastics
http://www.arpbathtubs.com/

Genki USA
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/genki-usa/bathtub1.html

THG Products
http://www.thgusa.com/products.php?parent_id=_32_102_212

Ann Sacks Showroom
http://catalog.annsacks.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?item=224404&prod_num=PASONZENSOAKING&cross_table_prefix=SACK

MTI Whirlpools
http://www.mtiwhirlpools.com/about/pr_06.cfm

Toto USA
http://www.totousa.com/toto/newproductreleasedetail.asp?npid=77

Last, but not least, here's an article that describes how you can make
your own Japanese-style wooden tub (I include this mainly for its
amusement value. The thing is mighty ugly!)

Mother Earth News: Hot Tub Nirvana for $100
http://www.motherearthnews.com/menarch/archive/goto.asp?article=153/153-048-01&ID=4802&Num=16

Google search strategy:

Google Web Search: "ofuro" + "tub"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=ofuro+tub

Google Web Search: "furo" + "tub"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=furo+tub

Google Web Search: "deep soaking tub"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22deep+soaking+tub

I hope this helps! If anything is unclear, or if a link doesn't work
for you, please request clarification; I'll gladly offer further
assistance before you rate my answer.

Best regards,
pinkfreud
tomtom1-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars
researcher submited excellent sources and also submitted alternate
sources which permitted comparisons.  Exceedingly prompt.

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