On Dec. 15 a married couple, Masanari and Yoko Matsuda, were found unconscious near the door of a private sauna room that caught fire at Sauna Tiger in Akasaka, Tokyo; both later died at hospital. Authorities say an emergency alarm sounded at about 12:25 p.m., an internal emergency button appeared to have been pressed, and the room's doorknob was detached when firefighters arrived. Sauna Tiger has closed the location, pledged full cooperation with investigators and will refund reservations while supporting the victims' families.
Tokyo Couple Die After Becoming Trapped in Private Sauna Fire at Akasaka Facility
The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP ImagesPolice officers enter a building to inspect a fire at a sauna in Tokyo, on December 16, 2025
A married couple in Tokyo died after becoming trapped in a private sauna room that caught fire on Monday, Dec. 15, local authorities and Japanese news outlets report. Emergency responders found the pair unconscious near the door of the reserved room at the Sauna Tiger facility in Akasaka; both were later pronounced dead at a hospital.
What Happened
Police and firefighters were alerted at about 12:25 p.m. when an emergency alarm at the Sauna Tiger location began sounding. Responders discovered a man and a woman unconscious near the doorway of the private sauna room, where a blaze had broken out. The facility's fire was brought under control at around 1:20 p.m., leaving sauna seating and a backrest scorched.
joel-t/GettyA stock photo of lights on a fire engine in Japan
Victims
The victims were identified as Masanari Matsuda, 36, a company manager, and his wife, Yoko Matsuda, 37, a nail artist. The couple lived in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. They were taken to hospital with apparent burns to their shoulders and backs; their deaths were confirmed after arrival.
Evidence and Investigation
Investigators reported that an emergency button inside the private room — a device that connects to the front desk — appeared to have been pressed. When firefighters arrived, the doorknob to the room's entrance was reportedly detached on both sides and lying on the floor. The room had been reserved from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., authorities said. Local police are treating the case seriously and continue to probe the cause of the fire, which remains unknown.
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Sauna Tiger said on its website that it is 'taking this incident at one of our stores very seriously,' is 'fully cooperating' with relevant authorities, and expresses its 'deepest condolences' to the families. The operator said the location will remain closed temporarily and that customers with existing reservations will receive refunds.
Background
Sauna Tiger opened the Akasaka location in 2022. The Minato Public Health Center last inspected the venue in April 2023, according to reporting. The company has said it will prioritize support for the bereaved families while authorities continue their investigation.
The incident is under active investigation by local police and fire officials. Authorities have released few further details while they examine the cause of the blaze and the circumstances that led to the couple becoming trapped.
