Facing 'Invisible Fatigue' in Medical Settings: Soseikai General Hospital Introduces Exclusive Enzyme Bath for Staff
Soseikai General Hospital in Kyoto introduced a 100% rice bran enzyme bath as a welfare benefit on April 20, 2026. This initiative aims to reduce the physical and mental burden on healthcare workers and promote sustainable medical care.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 17:12
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 08:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 08:36 (4 min after Collected)
Soseikai General Hospital (Main Hospital: Fushimi-ku, Kyoto; Chairman: Nagaaki Tsuda) newly introduced an 'Enzyme Bath Service' on April 20, 2026, as part of employee welfare. This is one of the efforts toward reducing the physical and mental burden of medical professionals and realizing a sustainable medical provision system.
■ Social Situation and Reality of Medical Settings
In recent years, Japanese medical settings have reached a major turning point. In addition to the increase in medical demand due to the declining birthrate and aging population, the front lines are under complex and continuous pressure from shortages of medical professionals, response to work-style reforms, and infectious disease management.
Medical professionals, in particular, are in an environment where they are prone to mental stress in addition to long working hours and high-tension tasks, making them susceptible to the accumulation of 'invisible fatigue.'
Based on these social trends, Soseikai General Hospital believes that a perspective of 'supporting the workers themselves' is indispensable for future medical institutions, going beyond mere optimization of working hours or institutional reforms.
■ Features of the Enzyme Bath and Quality Commitment
While enzyme baths sometimes mix cypress or sawdust, the enzyme bath introduced this time is a dry thermal bath using 100% rice bran, relying on natural fermentation. Rice bran is the most nutritious part of rice, rich in vitamins and minerals. Using 100% of this natural material, natural fermentation heat is generated as microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and natto bacteria decompose carbohydrates and proteins.
The temperature during fermentation reaches about 50 to 70 degrees Celsius, which prevents the growth of pathogens while maintaining a state where beneficial bacteria are dominant. Combined with the inherent antibacterial and preservative effects of rice bran, a clean and safe environment is maintained. Furthermore, the fermentation state is carefully managed through appropriate daily replacement, stirring, and periodic partial exchange of rice bran. It achieves a stable thermal environment using only 100% natural materials and the power of fermentation, without using any electricity or gas.
The enzymes contained in rice bran act on the body through the skin, supporting metabolic activation and the decomposition and discharge of waste products, and are also expected to have a relaxation effect by loosening muscle tension.
■ Comment from Store Manager Okumura
Reflecting the desire to support medical professionals, Manager Okumura, who manages the enzyme bath, has faced approximately 2,000 customers since 2017. 'By insisting on 100% rice bran purity, we are maximizing the original power of fermentation. Not only staff working at Soseikai but also their families can use it. During the pre-opening, many staff members visited after night shifts or on their days off. I want this to be a place that heals the fatigue of healthcare professionals who are working hard every day and leads to their mental and physical health. I hope that this accumulation will lead to better medical care for patients and their families.'
■ Comment from the Chairman
Chairman Tsuda, who actually experienced it, says, 'I was able to sleep through the night without waking up once. It made me realize that daily fatigue was accumulating more than I imagined.' The hospital has staff with diverse backgrounds and lifestyles, including those balancing childcare and work, those caring for family members, and those engaged in sudden and high-tension tasks like emergency response. While each stands on the medical front with responsibility, their own care often takes a back seat. This initiative is part of creating an environment that 'values people themselves' beyond the promotion of work-style reforms and institutional development.
■ Future Outlook
Soseikai General Hospital will continue to promote initiatives that contribute to improving staff well-being along with improving the quality of medical care, aiming to be a 'medical institution that is chosen' as well as a 'medical institution where people can continue to work.'
■ Editor's Note: An 'Extraordinary Space' Wrapped in the Power of Fermentation
The newly renovated salon has a clean space based on white, harmonized with warm lighting for a calm atmosphere. The spacious, completely private rooms are equipped with a shower, toilet, and sink, making it a luxurious design rare even among salons in the prefecture. While enzyme baths often have an image for women, men can also use them, and as a space where privacy is considered regardless of gender, many staff members can use it with peace of mind. Stepping into the fermented rice bran with bare feet brings a gradual warmth and comfort.
■ Social Situation and Reality of Medical Settings
In recent years, Japanese medical settings have reached a major turning point. In addition to the increase in medical demand due to the declining birthrate and aging population, the front lines are under complex and continuous pressure from shortages of medical professionals, response to work-style reforms, and infectious disease management.
Medical professionals, in particular, are in an environment where they are prone to mental stress in addition to long working hours and high-tension tasks, making them susceptible to the accumulation of 'invisible fatigue.'
Based on these social trends, Soseikai General Hospital believes that a perspective of 'supporting the workers themselves' is indispensable for future medical institutions, going beyond mere optimization of working hours or institutional reforms.
■ Features of the Enzyme Bath and Quality Commitment
While enzyme baths sometimes mix cypress or sawdust, the enzyme bath introduced this time is a dry thermal bath using 100% rice bran, relying on natural fermentation. Rice bran is the most nutritious part of rice, rich in vitamins and minerals. Using 100% of this natural material, natural fermentation heat is generated as microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and natto bacteria decompose carbohydrates and proteins.
The temperature during fermentation reaches about 50 to 70 degrees Celsius, which prevents the growth of pathogens while maintaining a state where beneficial bacteria are dominant. Combined with the inherent antibacterial and preservative effects of rice bran, a clean and safe environment is maintained. Furthermore, the fermentation state is carefully managed through appropriate daily replacement, stirring, and periodic partial exchange of rice bran. It achieves a stable thermal environment using only 100% natural materials and the power of fermentation, without using any electricity or gas.
The enzymes contained in rice bran act on the body through the skin, supporting metabolic activation and the decomposition and discharge of waste products, and are also expected to have a relaxation effect by loosening muscle tension.
■ Comment from Store Manager Okumura
Reflecting the desire to support medical professionals, Manager Okumura, who manages the enzyme bath, has faced approximately 2,000 customers since 2017. 'By insisting on 100% rice bran purity, we are maximizing the original power of fermentation. Not only staff working at Soseikai but also their families can use it. During the pre-opening, many staff members visited after night shifts or on their days off. I want this to be a place that heals the fatigue of healthcare professionals who are working hard every day and leads to their mental and physical health. I hope that this accumulation will lead to better medical care for patients and their families.'
■ Comment from the Chairman
Chairman Tsuda, who actually experienced it, says, 'I was able to sleep through the night without waking up once. It made me realize that daily fatigue was accumulating more than I imagined.' The hospital has staff with diverse backgrounds and lifestyles, including those balancing childcare and work, those caring for family members, and those engaged in sudden and high-tension tasks like emergency response. While each stands on the medical front with responsibility, their own care often takes a back seat. This initiative is part of creating an environment that 'values people themselves' beyond the promotion of work-style reforms and institutional development.
■ Future Outlook
Soseikai General Hospital will continue to promote initiatives that contribute to improving staff well-being along with improving the quality of medical care, aiming to be a 'medical institution that is chosen' as well as a 'medical institution where people can continue to work.'
■ Editor's Note: An 'Extraordinary Space' Wrapped in the Power of Fermentation
The newly renovated salon has a clean space based on white, harmonized with warm lighting for a calm atmosphere. The spacious, completely private rooms are equipped with a shower, toilet, and sink, making it a luxurious design rare even among salons in the prefecture. While enzyme baths often have an image for women, men can also use them, and as a space where privacy is considered regardless of gender, many staff members can use it with peace of mind. Stepping into the fermented rice bran with bare feet brings a gradual warmth and comfort.