How is Ashiyu better than a traditional hot tub?
Let me count the ways! Ashiyu is so convenient, all you have to do to enjoy it is slip your shoes off. This also makes it more attractive at a party where people don't necessarily want to get undressed, or aren't excited about sharing bathwater with strangers. And you still get that warm spa feeling without the claustrophobia that some people experience. You can sit out on a cold evening and feel perfectly comfortable with your feet in Ashiyu.
Ashiyu is also easier to maintain than a hot tub. The cover comes off and goes on without a wrestling match, and if the water ever does get a little murky, changing it is a breeze. The Onsen model holds 70 gallons and the Footopia is closer to 50, so it is replaced easily and heats up much faster too.
Where do people use Ashiyu?
In Japan, of course, they are found everywhere, in resorts, parks, schools, even restaurants and train stations! We imagine a day where our spas are fixtures in fitness centers, retirement centers, resorts, hotel rooms, parks, and yes, train stations. But for now we would be happy to put one in your backyard. Our Foot Spas work great indoors too. Put them on a vinyl or tile floor and you'll have no worries about the little bit of splash-out that happens.
Ashiyu takes up alot less space, weighs less, and uses alot less water than a regular hot tub. And our designs and commitment to using natural materials results in a product that frankly is better looking than the plastic eyesores that the hot tub makers are offering these days. Ashiyu also uses alot less electricity, requiring only a regular 110v outlet, not the special 220v installation of a big tub. Ashiyu has a 1.5kW heater and a 1.5 hp pump, not the 6kW heater and two or three 3-5hp pumps of a big spa.
Ashiyu also costs less. Even though we are using most of the same components as a hot tub, and use top quality materials for our surrounds and seats, we keep our costs down to make Ashiyu accessible to everybody. We are told that this is a luxury item that we should market to the high-end shopper, but we believe Ashiyu is also ideal for people with small patios who lead low-impact lifestyles.
And please don't compare us to those ultra-cheapie hot tubs found at the big box retailers. Our spas are built to last for years and are warrantied. Compare us to a leading brand hot tub maker and you will find our prices are less than half of what their smallest model of spa costs.
Is using Ashiyu good for you?
You bet! Our spas are based on the ancient Japanese practice of soaking the feet in hot springs water. "Ashiyu" translates "foot bath", and Japanese tradition and medical science agree: boosting the circulation to your feet and legs through warm water and massage offers incredible benefits. Naturopathic physicians often recommend foot baths for their patients. The variety of ailments that can be helped by using Ashiyu is tremendous, from neuropathy and aching feet to sore backs and even migraines.
Some people have reported that their daily use of Ashiyu has made their Restless Leg Syndrome disappear. RLS is a very common phenomenon in which people experience painful leg cramps, usually when lying down at the end of the day. There is only one prescription drug for RLS, and it is accompanied by the usual host of ugly side effects. Ashiyu has only one side effect, relaxation. One owner said that her RLS had completely disappeared with regular use, and then came back during a recent trip away from her spa!
The tremendous number of little home foot baths sold attests to the popularity of this treatment. We believe that your feet deserve to soak in comfort and style, with room to spare!
Ask about our "Bath Bobbers", little bags full of therapeutic herbs that float in your Ashiyu and impart healing and soothing qualities to your spa.
See a review of online sources about the benefits of foot hydrotherapy here.
Would you like to know about all of our latest styles and options? Please request a complete pricelist by visiting our contact form here.
How do I care for the water in my Ashiyu?
We do not recommend chlorine because it is hard on the skin and not beneficial to the environment. In our showroom we are using Baquacil Sanitizer, which is very effective sanitizer and not as hard on the environment as chlorine. Its is gentle to skin, being the same compound as is used in contact lens cleaner. Just a half ounce every couple of weeks keeps the water clean and fresh.
The spas have a filter that catches debris and keeps the water very clear. It uses a cartridge that is found at most hardware stores and sells for less than $5. That can be rinsed out several times, usually once a month, before being replaced. Also the water should be drained and refilled about every few months. The spas are equipped with a faucet that allows you to connect a hose and pump the water out of the spa.