【After Childbirth Care Bathhouse】 NPO “cohug”

CONNECT introduces institutions, communities, and services recommended by the Palettalk editorial team to our readers. This corner is not just about connections and input within your smartphone but also about providing various “places of connection” where you can directly communicate your thoughts, listen to others, and more.

The “CONNECT” we are introducing this time is a postpartum (after childbirth) care bathhouse run by the NPO cohug.

Shiori Onuki (Shiorine), the representative of NPO cohug has been sharing information about sex education through YouTube and other platforms. After giving birth in 2022 and experiencing postpartum life for the first time, she realized:

• It’s much harder to get enough sleep than expected
• Lack of sleep reduces the ability to enjoy childcare

This made her recognize the importance of postpartum care. 

She had the opportunity to use a postpartum care hotel one month after giving birth, and from that experience, she felt, “We need to create a society where all caregivers have access to postpartum care options.” Thus, she began her activities.

Who Is It Recommended For?

This service is for everyone who takes care of children aged 1 to 4 months (including parents, grandparents, adoptive parents, and foster parents). For people who feel that:

• I want to eat my favorite food at my own pace
• I want to sleep soundly without worrying about crying babies

Many caregivers find it very difficult to spend time just for themselves while raising a child. Coupled with societal pressure to “prioritize children over oneself,” many might feel guilty about taking a break.

For those who want to rest and refresh themselves, this postpartum care bathhouse is perfect. It is also recommended for those who feel that “postpartum care hotels are too expensive.”

What Can You Do There?

At the Shonandai Onsen Raku bathhouse, you can leave your baby with staff, including midwives and nurses, and enjoy a relaxing bath, have a meal, or take a nap.

You are free to spend your time at the onsen facility as you like. Besides the baths and meals, there is a cozy tatami area where you can read manga!

Additionally, for those who are interested, there are childcare consultations available. It’s a great option for anyone who doesn’t have a place to easily talk about their parenting concerns.

Feedback from Participants

～Enjoying Time for Myself Without Guilt!～
“I had an amazing time! I soaked in the bath for a looong time, read manga without interruption, had a laid-back meal, and enjoyed a full 60-minute massage. Knowing that I could rely on professionals gave me peace of mind, and I could fully enjoy my time without any guilt. It was pure happiness.”

～In One Word, ‘Fantastic’!～
“I’ve also used the postpartum care services offered by the city, but I couldn’t really relax and returned home then… This postpartum care allowed me to truly relax. The food was delicious, and I could even enjoy a hot spring bath, which refreshed both my body and mind. Raising children close in age keeps me busy every day, and it’s been years since I could sit down and enjoy a meal so calmly.”

For those who want to get a better feel of the experience, you can watch a video on Shiorine’s YouTube channel to see how the day goes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRGee3hVQNc

Detailed Access

📍 252-0804 Shonandai Onsen Raku, 2-7-5 Shonandai, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Schedule: 2nd and 4th Monday of each month
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Fee: 7,980 yen (additional facility usage fee will be charged)

※ Maximum capacity of 6 people per session, reservation required in advance. A team of 5 to 6 staff members, including qualified professionals and volunteers, will assist.

Message from the Representative

Hello, I’m Shiori Onuki (Shiorine), the representative director of cohug. After giving birth to my first child in 2022, I realized how incredibly tough the postpartum period can be. I just wanted a little bit of alone time, or even just two hours of uninterrupted deep sleep. Knowing that many parents face days where even such small wishes are hard to fulfill, I started working to make postpartum care a more accessible option for everyone.

With the support of a sympathetic bathhouse and many like-minded friends, we began hosting regular postpartum care bathhouse sessions in June 2023. Hearing feedback from users like:

• “I’ve been needing a service like this!”
• “I’ve regained my energy.”
• “I feel ready to tackle parenting again.”

…has reinforced my desire to expand this easily accessible postpartum care.

Before things get too tough and you break down, we want to increase the number of places you can rely on when you’re feeling a little overwhelmed. This is the vision that led to the creation of cohug. We will continue to strive for a society where everyone nurtures children together.

(Translation: Jennifer Martin)

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We look forward to your applications.