Tag Archives: SaunaCulture

The Secret Behind Japan’s Next Wellness Destination. TSHS -168

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The Secret Behind Japan’s Next Wellness Destination

What happens when Finnish sauna culture meets Japanese craftsmanship, wellness design, and destination development?

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In this episode of The Social Hotelier, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Heikki Riitahuhta, Partner at  @studiopuisto3459  Puisto Architects, from Helsinki, Finland, at the opening of Studio Puisto’s first Japanese sauna project.

Together, they explore how architecture, storytelling, hospitality, wellness, and cultural exchange are shaping the future of destination development.

From the riverside landscapes of Eshikoto and the Kuzuryu River to the concept of Chodoi (Togetherness), this conversation reveals how authentic experiences, craftsmanship, sustainability, and human connection can transform hospitality destinations into globally recognized wellness brands. Whether you’re a hospitality leader, hotel developer, architect, investor, destination marketer, or entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable insights into experiential design, wellness tourism, luxury hospitality, cultural storytelling, and creating places that guests never forget.

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From Sauna Ritual to Design Philosophy: A Finnish Architect’s Approach. TSHS – 159

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From Sauna Ritual to Design Philosophy: A Finnish Architect’s Approach

What if the future of hospitality, wellness, and architecture lies not in adding more—but in building less, feeling more, and reconnecting deeply with ourselves?

In this thought-provoking conversation, architect Mikko Jakonen from Studio Puisto Architects joins Sam-Erik Ruttmann to explore the intersection of sustainable design, Finnish sauna culture, meditation, and human-centered hospitality.

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From designing immersive nature-based experiences to redefining luxury through silence, materiality, and emotional connection, this episode reveals how the most powerful spaces are not just seen—but deeply felt. Mikko Jakonen is a founding partner of  @studiopuisto3459  , a Finland-based architecture firm known for redefining sustainable hospitality and nature-integrated design.

With over a decade of experience, he specializes in creating human-centric, environmentally conscious spaces that combine architecture, wellness, and emotional experience. His work spans international hospitality projects, with a focus on sauna design, sensory environments, and holistic wellbeing. Alongside architecture, Mikko has practiced meditation for over 15 years, deeply influencing his design philosophy.

Mikko can be reached  on mikko@studiopuisto.fi

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikko-jakonen-5063431a/

Guest Website: https://studiopuisto.fi/
Guest Social Media https://www.instagram.com/studiopuisto?igsh=MWhqdmwzdmtvdGR3eg==

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