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History of Hot Tubs
Depending on where you are in the world, you may see it written as a hot tub, bain nordique, Kylpytynnyri, or even ホットタブ . While the spelling changes per country, the idea behind it has remained the same. People have always been seeking out warm water for wellbeing and social connection. The hot tub we know today is the result of thousands of years of bathing traditions, with roots that stretch much further back than you might think.
The first bathing traditions
People were already gathering around naturally warm water long before heating systems and hydrotherapy jets existed. Hot springs, like the Japanse Onsen were valued for their warmth and comfort, and attracted people who wanted to bathe, recover after physical work, or spend quality time together.
With each country having their own rituals and traditions, bathing turned into something other than a way to get clean.
The Romans and the rise of bath culture
Few cultures embraced bathing as enthusiastically as the Romans. Across the Roman Empire, large public bathhouses became central gathering places where people could relax, socialise, discuss daily life, and even talk business. Many of these baths were already quite sophisticated for their time, with heated pools, changing areas, and beautiful architectural designs.
You can still visit these ancient places today, like the Roman Baths in Bath, England.
The Japanese tradition of soaking
While Roman baths were often large and social, Japan developed a different bathing ritual around the Ofuro. The purpose was not to wash or get clean, but to enjoy a moment of quiet, meditative soaking. People would wash before entering the bath, so the warm water was purely for relaxation.
This ritual became a calm moment in the day, giving them an opportunity to step away from daily responsibilities and meditate. This emphasis on mindfulness and actively taking the time to relax remains an important part of Japanese bathing culture today. Many of these values influence our current hot tub culture. The idea that being in warm water should be more than a practical activity, and instead become a moment of relaxation and reflection, is just as relevant today as it was centuries ago, if not more.
Hot springs and the wealthy travellers of the early 1900s
Natural hot springs remained popular throughout the centuries, but for many people they were expensive and difficult to get to. During the early 1900s, spa resorts built around hot springs became sought-after destinations, particularly in Europe and North America. For most people, however, these experiences were out of reach. Visiting these resorts was often reserved for wealthy travellers who had the time and means to make the journey.
The popularity of these resorts showed that people were willing to travel long distances simply for the experience of soaking in warm water. The idea of enjoying that same feeling from the comfort of your own home eventually became one of the driving forces behind the development of hot tubs.
How the hot tub was born
The origins of the hot tub can be traced back to the middle of the twentieth century. Following the Korean War, American soldiers returned home having seen people regularly soaking in large wooden tubs. Inspired by these bathing traditions, they began experimenting with wooden barrels to make their own soaking tubs.
In California’s wine region, Napa Valley, large wooden wine barrels gave them a good place to start. Craftsmen began converting these barrels into simple soaking tubs. Many consider these to be the first modern hot tubs. These early tubs were very primitive by today’s standards, but they established a design that we still use today.
The rise of plastic spas
During the 1970s, much of the industry moved towards plastic. It was inexpensive and easy to shape. As a result, it allowed manufacturers to produce plastic hot tubs on a much larger scale and introduce features such as moulded seating, electronic controls, lighting, and jets. While these features might sound appealing, they take away from why we use hot tubs in the first place: to connect, clear our heads, and relax in a natural setting.
Many of the qualities that make Western Red Cedar tubs special are impossible to replicate in a plastic tub. The natural relaxing aroma of the wood. The quality and craftsmanship of every tub. The connection to natural materials. The ritual and tradition of soaking in warm water. All these natural luxuries are lost in a plastic tub, while Western Red Ceder preserves what made hot tubs special to begin with. Even today, a cedar hot tub feels closer to the bathing experiences that inspired it centuries ago. The wood may be more refined, and the heating systems far more advanced, but the why remains the same.
The return of Western Red Cedar
As modern life became more centred around screens, the need for quiet moments and rest became stronger too. With phones, computers, and social media changing the way we work, rest, and spend our free time, it is no surprise that more people are drawn back to nature and a place to get away from their screens. That is part of the lasting appeal of a cedar hot tub. It doesn’t feel like yet another device or piece of equipment. Instead, it creates moments where distractions fade into the background and you feel present. At the same time, a cedar hot tub provides a natural setting for meaningful conversations and quality time with family and friends, something that feels more rare and increasingly valuable in an online world.
Aside from the social and (mental) health benefits, Western Red Cedar has proven itself to be the best material for wooden hot tubs. This particular type of cedar combines natural beauty with durability, making it exceptionally well suited to outdoor environments and hot tub construction. Indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest even called it the “Tree of Life,” as they used the wood for their canoes, homes, and structures that have endured generations of exposure to water and weather.
Its ability to expand when exposed to water helps create a watertight seal that wooden hot tubs rely on, while its rich colour, distinctive grain, and warm aroma give every tub its own character. Long before it was used in hot tubs, Western Red Cedar structures were trusted to withstand generations of exposure to the elements. Those same unique qualities continue to make it the material of choice for handcrafted cedar hot tubs.
Bringing centuries of tradition together
Northern Lights cedar hot tubs bring together the ancient manufacturing craftmanship with innovative spa technologies. The communal spirit of the Roman baths, the quiet ritual of Japanese soaking traditions, the craftsmanship of the first wooden tubs, and our constant innovation all play a role in the experience. Modern spa systems can maintain water temperature automatically and economically. Advanced filtration systems keep water clean and clear with minimal effort. Hydrotherapy technology provides comfort and relaxation that earlier generations could only imagine.
Yet despite all these advances, the essence of the experience goes unchanged. People still seek out warm water for many of the same reasons they always have. A chance to breathe, spend time with family and friends, enjoy the outdoors, and step away from the noise of everyday life.
