In his room at the plush Sheraton Hanoi Hotel, the Celtic and Japan playmaker soaks once or twice a day in a bath mixed with a variety of powders including the essence of hot spring water from the foot of Mount Fuji.

"Having lived in a hotel for so long, even the little things have become a pleasure," the 29-year-old said ahead of the defending Blue Samurai's semifinal clash with arch-rivals Saudi Arabia here on Wednesday.

"It may be a bit more fun to dip into tinted water than clear water," smiled Nakamura, who has orchestrated Japan's run to the last four.

The powders he uses were either shipped in by the Japan Football Association, or handed to him by fans at Tokyo's Narita airport.

One fan gave him a geranium package which is supposed to detoxicate the body, an increasingly popular product in Japan where more than 2,000 hot spring spas draw people for both comfort and healing.

For nearly three weeks since his arrival here, the baths have consoled the Scottish Player of the Year whose place kicks boosted Celtic and himself to a second straight Scottish Premier League title.

"There are many kinds like one from a spa. Another makes your skin slimy. It feels good, perhaps, and relieves fatigue," he laughed.

Asked if used the germanium ingredient to massage his famous left foot, he replied: "No, No. I use just a normal one. That's from Hakone." Hakone is a traditional spa near Mount Fuji.

"Sleep well, eat well-balanced food and stretch ... with the bath in there," he added on what his tips were for health.

The 178-centimeter (5ft 10in) Nakamura, known to lead a quiet family life with his wife and two-year-old son in Glasgow, said he had found no food problem because a chef from Tokyo has been preparing meals for the squad.

"They serve pho (popular Vietnamese noodle soup) every other day and it's quite alright," he added.