Unplug and Reconnect
Life today moves quickly. We’re always checking our phones, working, or running from one task to the next. It’s no wonder many of us feel stressed, tired, and out of balance. If you’re looking for a way to slow down and feel truly refreshed, Tahoe Forest Baths in South Lake Tahoe offers a one-of-a-kind experience that helps you disconnect from the noise and reconnect with yourself.
This peaceful retreat uses nature, warmth, and ancient Japanese methods to help your body and mind relax. Every part of the visit is designed to help you feel renewed and deeply cared for.
A Wellness Experience Like No Other
Tahoe Forest Baths is one of only two places in the United States where you can try anauthentic Japanese Cedar Enzyme Bath. These unique treatments have been used in
Japan for centuries to help remove toxins, improve blood circulation, support digestion, and reduce stress.
The special formula behind this experience comes from Ohtaka Enzyme Co., Ltd., one of Japan’s oldest and most respected enzyme companies. Located in the natural beauty of Hokkaido, Ohtaka has been producing enzyme-based health products for over 90 years, including plant-based drinks, supplements, cosmetics, and enzyme concentrates.
In 2022, Tahoe Forest Baths partnered with Ohtaka to introduce the first Ohtaka-style fermented sawdust bath in the U.S. Ohtaka provided in-depth training on enzyme science and technique, making this offering both authentic and highly effective.
Here’s What You Can Expect at Tahoe Forest Baths
1. A Warm Welcome
Your experience begins with a warm greeting and a brief health check with your bath guide. They’ll explain how the enzyme process works and give you a tour of the peaceful space where your session takes place.
2. Preparing for the Bath
You’ll change into comfortable undergarments provided on-site and receive a hydrating enzyme-rich drink. This drink, made using Ohtaka’s formulas, helps prepare your body for detox and refreshment.
3. The Cedar Enzyme Bath
You’ll lie back in a bed of warm cedar sawdust, gently covered with the soft, fragrant wood and living enzymes. The warmth is created naturally, no gas or electricity, using a biological fermentation process that can reach up to 150°F. Thanks to Ohtaka’s unique plant-based enzyme extract (called the catalyst), the fermentation process produces a refreshing, earthy smell with none of the strong odors typical in other enzyme baths. The cedar and cypress wood add to the calming aroma. As you rest for about 20 minutes, the warmth helps your body sweat, remove toxins, and improve circulation, all while calming your nervous system.
4. Shower & Exfoliation
After the bath, you’ll enjoy a private shower followed by a gentle, full-body exfoliation using natural products. This step removes any remaining sawdust, encourages blood flow, and leaves your skin smooth and soft.
5. Cool Down & Relax
You’ll then relax in the Cool Down Room, overlooking the peaceful mountains and lake. Here, you’ll sip water, let your body return to normal temperature, and continue to gently detox.
6. Optional Oxygen Session
For a boost of clarity and energy, you can choose to add a 15-minute Oxygen Bar session. A soft mask provides pure oxygen, and you can select essential oils to enhance the experience.
What Makes the Ohtaka Enzyme Bath So Special?
Fermentation Technology
This method uses thermophilic bacteria, friendly microbes that create heat, combined with cedar sawdust, rice bran, and Ohtaka’s enzyme catalyst. The result is a natural, deeply warming material that reaches a safe yet effective temperature in a short time. The sawdust must be maintained daily by stirring and adding nutrients, air, and moisture.
Gentle Warmth, Deep Results
Although the temperature of the sawdust can reach 65°C (149°F), it never feels overwhelming. That’s because wood has low thermal conductivity, and the sawdust is full of air pockets. The warmth penetrates slowly, warming your body from the inside out. It’s comfortable, effective, and relaxing, all without water pressure or steam.
Naturally Clean and Safe
High temperatures in the bath prevent harmful bacteria from surviving. Most sweat is absorbed by the sawdust and brushed off after use. This creates a clean and hygienic environment that’s easier on your body than traditional water baths.
Health and Beauty Benefits
Supported by research from Kanazawa Medical University in Japan, Ohtaka-style cedar enzyme baths are known to:
● Improve blood flow and lymph movement
● Support metabolism and digestion
● Calm the nervous system
● Ease joint and muscle discomfort
● Remove toxins and waste
● Enhance skin health and appearance
This is more than a moment of relaxation; it’s a full-body experience that works with your natural healing processes.
More Than Just a Treatment, It’s a Journey
Tahoe Forest Baths is located next to Tahoe Aesthetics, offering a complete set of wellness and beauty services. Whether your goal is to feel healthier, look radiant, or just
recharge, this peaceful retreat has everything you need. From the moment you arrive, every detail, from the scent of cedar to the kindness of the team, is carefully designed to help you feel calm, clean, and deeply restored.
Discover One of Tahoe’s Most Unique Experiences
Lake Tahoe is famous for its outdoor adventures, but this is something completely different. A visit to Tahoe Forest Baths gives you the chance to reconnect with yourself through warmth, nature, and ancient wisdom.
Instead of just sightseeing or skiing, take time to care for your body and mind. You’ll leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more in tune with yourself.
If you’re ready to unplug from stress and truly refresh, this is the place for you. Visit Tahoe Forest Baths, and give yourself the care you truly deserve.
