The traditional ofuro tub has evolved from a simple soaking box into a sleek design element for todays modern bath. Traditional ofuros are constructed of aromatic woods such as hinoki, Alaskan yellow cedar, and teak. They are joined together without any visible hardware(as is the case with the Roberts ofuro in the image) creating the appearance of a seamless box. The ofuro is typically over 2' in depth and has a built in bench that allows the user to completely immerse themselves in hot water.

Photo courtesy of Roberts Hot Tubs
The idea being you shower before entering the ofuro to clean yourself off, and then you soak in the ofuro as a way to relax and relieve stress. Japanese models will often have a heating system for the water, allowing you to leave the water in the tub for several days and simply reheat it before returning to soak. In western culture there is a certain "ick" factor when you think of re-using the same water for several days, especially when it is shared amongst the entire family. However, with rinsing off before you soak, you are clean before you set foot into the tub. There is something very nice about sitting immersed in piping hot water up to your chin, breathing in the scent of warm cedar, and simply doing nothing. Sign me up...