In Tokyo, unwinding after a day of work usually includes a visit to a bathhouse. According to the Tokyo CVB, Tokyo counts 159 spas. The only thing you’ll have to worry about is choosing a spa that suits you.
There are two types of baths in Japan: "sento" and "onsen." The first one is a public bathhouse that uses heated tap water. They’re found in most neighborhoods, because for many years Japanese residents didn’t own showers or bathtubs in their homes and would walk to the nearest bathhouse to bathe. These days, many are expanding into bigger spa centers called “super sentos,” with more options, such electric baths, medicinal baths and jet massage baths.
Onsen are natural hot spring baths and are usually more traditional. There are more than 2,000 in the country. Most of them are away from big cities—you can enjoy a bath overlooking the Pacific Ocean or even at the foot of Mount Fuji.
As with everything Japanese, etiquette is important. Some rules should be respected when soaking in Japan:
- The first thing to know is that you will be intimidated: the Japanese bathe naked. Don’t worry, most bathhouses aren’t co-ed, so just ask which door you’re supposed to walk into. It should be pretty obvious from the stream of men, or women, heading in and out. You can also buy a small towel for a few yen to cover up when walking around the baths.
- Once you enter the bathing area, you will notice showers and stools. Find a stool that’s available and wash thoroughly. Be sure to rinse off all soap before going into a bath. The idea is to wash up here, and use the baths to soak.
- As is the case in spas stateside, people are here to relax. If you’re talking with co-workers, do so quietly.
- Yakuzas, the Japanese mafia, can be recognized by dragon tattoos on their backs. Although it’s very unlikely you’ll be mistaken for a Yakuza, if you have tattoos, consider covering them up with band-aids. Many women choose to do this, as tattoos aren’t as accepted in Japan as they are in the U.S.
