Snow Man's Hikaru Iwamoto Warms Up Weekend Mornings with Radio Show 'May I Pour the Löyly?'

Social media lit up with the program's official hashtag following the broadcast of FM NACK5's radio show Seibu Railway presents Hikaru Iwamoto's May I Pour the Löyly? (broadcast every Saturday at 7:30 a.m.), hosted by Hikaru Iwamoto of the popular idol group Snow Man.

Known as a devoted sauna enthusiast, Iwamoto delivers a soothing weekend morning talk show designed to refresh and comfort listeners. During a recent episode, he referred to his listeners as 'Tonttu'—named after the mythical Nordic elves that protect saunas. This unexpected moniker sparked joyful reactions online, with fans excitedly posting, 'I guess I became a Tonttu today!' and 'I never thought I’d debut as a fairy this morning!'

Listeners also showered praise on the broadcast as Iwamoto discussed official hashtag ideas suggested by the audience and warmly read through fan letters. Fans flooded social media with glowing feedback such as 'The ultimate morning healing session' and 'The perfect way to 'totonou' (refresh the mind and body) on a Saturday morning.' The enthusiasm continued long after the broadcast wrapped up, with fans actively voting on hashtags and sharing their thoughts via catch-up streaming services.

The Context

Hikaru Iwamoto is the leader of Snow Man, one of Japan's most prominent male pop groups managed by Starto Entertainment (formerly Johnny & Associates). Beyond his impressive dance skills and physical conditioning, Iwamoto is famous for his passionate love for sauna culture. In recent years, sauna going has surged in popularity across Japan, giving rise to terms like totonou—a state of deep mental and physical relaxation achieved through sauna and cold-water immersion. The show's title references löyly, the Finnish term for the steam generated by splashing water onto hot sauna stones, reflecting both Iwamoto's favorite pastime and the warm, tranquil atmosphere of his radio broadcast.

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