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Chronicles of Heat Wave Masters: Minami Sakeyama – The Mermaid of Sauna Heat Waves

2025.06.27

The Rising Star of the Sauna World, Minami Sakeyama’s Challenge

In the realm of saunas, a place for relaxation, there is someone who captivates many. Her name is Minami Sakeyama. Known as “Japan’s most difficult to book heat wave master,” she is a professional with a large fan base. Originally aspiring to be an actress, what led her to this path? It was a life-changing event that made her reflect on herself.

Ms. Sakeyama spends her busy days as an aufguss master, creating a pleasant breeze by stirring the steam in the sauna with a towel. Her technique and passion provide inspiration and healing to many. The heat wave therapy she performs warms the body deeply with high temperatures, relieving muscle tension and promoting blood circulation. This unique approach is the reason she receives high praise from many supporters.

Minami Sakeyama is bringing a fresh breeze to sauna culture. Her sense of mission and dedicated service spirit continue to deliver hope and healing to many people.

Profile and Career of Minami Sakeyama

Minami Sakeyama is known as the most popular heat wave master (aufguss master) in Japan. Born on September 2, she is part of the Aufguss Professional Team (APT) and showcases her skills across various locations. Originally moving to Tokyo to pursue an acting career, she later entered the sauna industry and gained attention as “Japan’s most difficult to book heat wave master.”

🔥 Profile

  • Name: Minami Sakeyama

  • Date of Birth: September 2 (Age undisclosed, officially 373 years old)

  • Hometown: Kyoto Prefecture

  • Height: 157cm

  • Blood Type: O

  • Affiliation: Aufguss Professional Team (APT)

  • Qualifications:

    • Heat Wave Master Certification B

    • Sauna & Spa Health Advisor

Transition from Entertainment to Heat Wave Master

Ms. Sakeyama was originally active in the entertainment industry, gaining recognition with unique characters like “Sake Idol,” “Soft Idol,” and “Saddle.” However, there was a time when she lost sight of what she truly wanted to do. During this period, she happened to encounter the profession of “heat wave master” and felt it was her calling, leading her to make the career change. She obtained her heat wave master certification in April 2020 and debuted as a heat wave master at “Sauna & Capsule Hotel Hokuo” in Ueno on June 29 of the same year.Since then, she has performed aufguss at over 100 sauna facilities nationwide and shares the appeal of saunas on her YouTube channel “Sauna Girl Oshake.”

🏆 Main Achievements

  • 2022: Won the AUFGUSS CHAMPIONSHIP JAPAN 2022 as the “Sake & Suzuki” duo.

  • 2022: Ranked 8th in the team category at the Aufguss World Championship (Netherlands).

  • 2024: Runner-up at the Aufguss World Championship (Poland).

Activities and Appeal as a Heat Wave Master

A heat wave master is responsible for stirring the steam in the sauna room with towels, requiring high skill and delicate senses. Minami Sakeyama uses this skill to provide relaxation and healing to many people.

Performance in High-Temperature Environments

In her aufguss sessions, she demonstrates overwhelming performance even in high-temperature environments. During these sessions, she can deliver comfort to all participants with her skills, even under harsh conditions of 130 degrees. Such skills have earned her many fans, and her popularity has led to her being called “Japan’s most difficult to book.”

Effects on Body and Mind

The heat wave therapy performed by Ms. Sakeyama offers various health benefits, such as relieving muscle tension and promoting blood circulation. She adjusts the therapy to suit each individual’s constitution, earning support from many customers. Her attentive service has also built trust with many clients.

Challenges and Growth: Lessons Learned from Difficulties

She has faced the challenge of a serious condition called retinal detachment. Despite this trial, she overcame it with her sense of mission, gaining a new perspective. As seen from this experience, her positive attitude in any situation continues to influence many fans and colleagues.

Event Appearances and Regional Contribution

She actively participates in various events, traveling across Japan. Her exceptional skills at special aufguss events have expanded her fan base both domestically and internationally. She also contributes to regional development by collaborating with local specialties and culture.

Future Prospects

Despite her busy schedule, she is currently advancing towards new challenges. In the future, she aims not only to further improve her skills but also to focus on nurturing the next generation with the know-how and experience she has gained. This vision is the driving force that will expand her activities in various fields.

From the above, the reason she is loved to the point of being “Japan’s most difficult to book” is clear. It is a testament to her passionate attitude and sincerity. Her presence will only continue to grow!

Q&A About Minami Sakeyama

Q1: Who is Minami Sakeyama?

Minami Sakeyama is known as a professional aufguss master (heat wave master) who is “Japan’s most difficult to book.” She showcases her skills on TV programs and events, contributing to the spread of sauna culture. She is from Kyoto Prefecture and has been familiar with saunas since childhood.

Q2: Where does Ms. Sakeyama work?

Minami Sakeyama is based at “Sauna & Capsule Hotel Hokuo,” featured on “Salameshi.” She also performs aufguss at hot spring facilities and events across Japan. In 2023, she became the official ambassador for “Mikan Sauna,” which opened at Shimanami Onsen Kisuke no Yu in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture.

Q3: What is Aufguss?

Aufguss is a sauna performance originating from Germany, where a heat wave master circulates steam by waving a towel to increase the perceived temperature. This technique enhances relaxation and sweating effects. Ms. Sakeyama uses this technique to provide an attractive sauna experience to many people.

Q4: What is Ms. Sakeyama’s background?

Minami Sakeyama is from Kyoto Prefecture, born on September 2. Her parents were sauna enthusiasts, so she was exposed to the charm of public baths and saunas from a young age. She later became a professional heat wave master and gained attention as “Japan’s most difficult to book beautiful heat wave master.”

Q5: Why is she popular?

Minami Sakeyama is popular due to her exceptional skills and passion. She also frequently appears in media, and her beautiful looks and cheerful character are supported by fans. As a result, many customers seek sessions with her, earning her the title of “Japan’s most difficult to book.”

Conclusion

Minami Sakeyama has made a name for herself in the sauna world as “Japan’s most difficult to book heat wave master.” Originally moving to Tokyo to pursue acting, she eventually found her aptitude and passion, leading her to this path. As an aufguss master, her skills provide relaxation and healing to many people.

Despite facing the challenge of retinal detachment, Ms. Sakeyama’s experience has contributed to her growth, and she will continue to influence many fans. In her aufguss sessions conducted in high-temperature environments, she delivers comfort to all participants with her advanced skills. These elements combined have garnered her a large number of enthusiastic supporters.

Additionally, she is actively involved in regional contributions, participating in events across Japan and collaborating with local specialties to promote regional development. As seen from these activities, she is not just an entertainer but demonstrates her presence in various fields.

Minami Sakeyama is currently advancing towards new challenges. She plans to focus on nurturing the next generation with the know-how and experience she has gained, aiming to expand her influence on younger generations. This vision is the driving force for her next stage.