This habit is rooted in the daily life of Icelanders, for example, where the Blue Lagoon is a major tourist attraction in the country.

But it’s also popular in Japan, at the country’s many onsen hot springs. Nevertheless, successive lockdowns have deprived many people of the pleasure in recent months.

But the Hot Tab company is on hand (or foot!) to help with an ingenious solution should we be faced with another period of enforced isolation — boots that double up as a personal footbath.

The idea may seem absurd, but with hot water and a bicarbonate tablet from the Nagayu Onsen spa, the boots promise to provide the same benefits as some of the hot springs found in Japan.

Manufactured by Hot Album Carbonated Spring Tablet Co, Ltd, the “Ashiyu” boots are made from a lightweight, waterproof material similar to that used for wetsuits, effectively retaining heat and retaining water, reports the SoraNews24 website.

The company behind this initiative states that it is possible to work from home, lie down, or even work on daily household chores while enjoying a foot bath.