Japanese are crazy about baths

Japanese take a bath almost every day. One reason for this is that Japan has a lot of moisture and another is that Japanese people tend to like to be clean. Many Japanese houses are furnished with both a shower and a bath, but the majority of Japanese prefer baths.

The Japanese way of taking a bath is different from that of non-Japanese. You wash your body outside the tub then soak in the tub. When you leave the bathroom you have to leave the hot water in the tub so that all the family can use it. When you take a bath in Japan, be sure not to wash your body in the tub or put the tub lid on when you get out.

In Japan there are deluxe bath houses called “super sentou” everywhere. In just one visit, you can enjoy a Jacuzzi bath, a herb bath, sauna, water bath, open air bath and so on for 500~1,000 yen. This is a very nice way to relax.

The most luxurious bath is a hot spring. In Japan there are many hot spring resorts, where exotic and unique Japanese-style inns are situated. Each inn usually has a Japanese garden and various baths such as a rock bath and a cypress bath. You can also enjoy delicious cuisine at these inns. Hot spring resorts are the most popular travel destination for Japanese.

Nowadays, “one day hot springs” are becoming more popular. These places offer hot spring facilities in which you can enjoy using a hot spring without staying overnight. They are often located in places where you can enjoy beautiful scenery such as mountains, the sea, a river, a lake or a night view while taking the bath. They are priced at around 2,000 yen. One day hot springs have recently started appearing in Tokyo and are very popular.

You may not wear a bathing suit in a super sentou or a hot spring. Everyone takes off all their clothing before enjoying the hot spring experience together. (Of course men and women are separated.

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