Also wanted one and could not find a place in Chgo area.

I think there is really none in our area here in the East. Youll be luckier to see one if you happen to be in the San Francisco area the store is called tubz in Fremont CA.

on second thought why dont you try this store:

Vanity Art
New York Warehouse
21 Simmons Lane
Menands, NY 12204
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm
www.vanityart.com

The best selection of soaking tubs that I've found is https://www.oceania-attitude.com/ -- one of them is on display at Tubz in Fremont California. They have a webpage of dealers, so you might find something. (On request, Oceania can omit the overflow, which isn't required by code). Another alternative is http://at-house.com/deep-soaking-tub/

Toto has lots of choices -- in Japan, but not in the USA. If anyone knows of Japanese tubs, please tell me (I'm trying to fit one into a 60x30 space, with a shower/washing area next to it; there are a number of options for 60x32 but I'm trying to avoid moving walls etc. because the code requires 30" for the shower/washing area next it.

You probably have considered getting a freesranding tub. 60x30 space is not a very small space to fit a regular sized tub. Or you just want a deeper tub?

I almost got that at-house japanese tub but didnt get it bec I didnt like the shape. Plus you pay 350 for shipping. So I took a risk in China for smething more appealing at almost same cost.

There are plenty of 60x30 tubs but they're not deep enough (I mean, cover-my-shoulders deep).

Where should I look for tubs from China? (Or Japan, if that's possible)

Definitely try before you buy. I stayed at a hotel with one and thought I would love it but I really did not love sitting instead of stretching and I had a panic attack trying to get out. I was under 45 then so I can only image now at fifty and having had a stroke last year that had I purchased based on the idea of it that it would just be an expensive object to look at and dust in my bathroom.

I think one of those tubs seems like a good idea until you actually use one you sit up like in a hot tub but you can’t stretch out your legs so as an additional tub on a deck a great idea but not for bathing IMO. Get a nice deep soaking tub it will fit in your space and it can also be the shower that will be actually big enough to use. You have the space for a tub/ shower combo and that is IMO what you should be looking at. Maax has some nice soaking tubs for a decent price.

Some people find that if the tub is too long, they float off the bottom and it's hard to completely relax ... if the feet reach to the end of the tub and knees are bent, that allows better relaxing because your body is slightly "wedged" between the two ends and all the muscles can be allowed to go limp. I think that's one reason why Japanese baths are relatively short (also, short and deep uses less water).

Im not going to comment yet on my purchase of a tub from China, it still remains a risk. However before i went for China out of desperation I was trying to get one from the UK.The uk store exports their japanese style tub, will pack it in wooden crate but will not do the shipping for you. I was confused to hear this. But there are many online seafreight businesses that you can look into. One is Anglo Pacific who can pick it up from the store to the nearest seaport near your address. So if you want to go through all the hassle this uk store has the best selections in terms of size that will suit your space. Oronsay, Jura, Islay will be perfect for your space.

https://www.whirlpoolexpress.co.uk/acatalog/Deep-Soaking-Japanese-Style-Baths.html

For those who are interested to know. My freestanding, Japanese style or inspired soaking tub finally came today from China 1 month & 2 weeks later. A big sigh of relief as seafreight shipping doesnt have a way to track its progress. I didnt know anything about this Chinese online store but they came through door to door. Its a tub that I wouldnt ever find anywhere here, the athouse one was the plan B though. It measures 39 inches long, 28 inches wide & 27.5 inches high. I must admit this is a case of tiny-bathroom-big-ideas syndrome, so I will have a stand up shower too that only measures 36 x 36 & a short wall hung toilet to free up space.

We went through a very similar thought process a few years ago. The previous owner had squeezed a tiny conventional bath tub into a space that just barely fit that tub. There was no space around, and it was overall so uncomfortable to use that we only tried twice in the whole time that we owned it.

Our initial plan was to rip out the old tub and to install a Japanese-style sitting tub instead. But in the end we completely changed tack and installed a steam shower. I am so glad we did. The steam shower is awesome and very relaxing. We definitely made a better call than getting a sitting tub. But of course, everybody has different preferences. So, figure out what works best for you personally.

Whats a steam shower consists of? I have a feeling something like a hot tub with a dedicated switch in the breaker. That must be really relaxing. Is it complicated to setup? I only went for rainfall showerhead & body jets. Anything electronic I didnt consider bec of maintenance issues.

The tub is actually more western only made very short & a little deeper. This pict below is from the chinese wbsite.

Whats a steam shower consists of? I have a feeling something like a hot tub with a dedicated switch in the breaker.

A steam shower is obviously an entirely different thing from a Japanese soaking tub. But they are both really relaxing, and they happen to fit into a very comparable foot print.

For a steam shower, you take a regular tiled shower. But instead of keeping it open at the top, you enclose it as much as you can, so that steam won't be able to escape easily. You then add a steam generator which fills the space with hot steam. The temperature is going to be around 110°F, and humidity is going to be close to 100%. So, you need to make sure the walls of the shower are not only waterproof, but also steam proof. That requires a little extra work from the contractor.

In addition to the items that you'd find in any regular shower, you probably also want a bench to sit on (that's why I said the shower is going to be the size of a sitting bath, and not just the size of a typical residential shower). And it's nice to have multiple shower heads, including at the very least a rain shower.

The steam generator sits somewhere outside of the actual shower (e.g. in the garage or a utility closet; or sometimes it can be fit under the shower bench). But the steam obviously comes out of a vent inside the shower. This is where you can add essential oils.

I only have experience with built-on-site shower stalls. But I believe they also make smaller all-in-one steam showers that fit into a footprint that is similar in size to a regular shower. That might be a little cramped though. They also make retrofit steam showers that come with the steam-proof enclosure and all the necessary parts already installed; and they simply replace the space that was previously taken up by a bath tub. I have no experience with these, but they look like a good and more affordable option.

Well, after I started this thread in May of 2019, we decided to go ahead and order the Aquatica true ofuro - the one that's 51.5 " long, and I couldn't be happier. It's gorgeous, and comfortable for me, even though you can't stretch out your legs straight. I've already used it more in the last 2 weeks than I used the old regular tub in 5 years.

@judy musicant - The drawings of the Aquatica true ofuro seem to show a 6" raised seat - is that correct? (Baths in Japan have flat bottoms)

It does have a raised seat that is more like 5". Makes it more comforable.

@judy How do you like it so far? I am contemplating getting the Mini version in glossy white

I’m loving it. Not sure how I would lime

the mini version though. For me, at 5’6”, I’d be afraid my knees would be up around my neck. But that’s just me.

Thanks Judy. I am similar height and my SO is 6ft but he preferred this mini one because his knees can rest on opposite wall. It's deeper..

Just dropping 6K on a tub gives me a lot to think about. The last time I used a tub was probably 7 years ago. My whole bath is a modern Zen spa theme so it does fit with that.

Well, it’s a beautiful sculptural piece, even if you don’t use it that much! 😅 Also, if you’re using a contractor, perhaps they could negotiate a lower price! 😉

Btydrvn,

With my Moen faucet, it takes about 10 minutes or less to fill. The walls are very thick, so yes, the water does stay hot for me. but of course I don’t stay in the tub for much more than 1/2 hr. or 40 minutes. I couldn’t guarantee It stays hot for an hour or more if you’re a long soaker.

@judy musicant So happy you're enjoying it. We're also planning on installing this ofuro. I'm shorter 5'4 and was worried that with the raised seat, the water may not cover to the top of the shoulders... Could you comment on your experience regarding the water level? Thank you

Kolo, for some reason I’m just now seeing your question, and you probably already have the tub. I was also concerned about the water level, but it comfortably covers my chest.