New Long Life Hot Springs 新寿温泉Japanese people love the bath.
In order to enjoy a nice bath, many people will plan entire vacations around taking a trip to a famous hot spring, but for everyday occasions, the neighborhood onsen (hot spring) or sento (bath house) will do just fine.
Bathing in Japan is for much more than just cleaning the body. It is a way to relax, enjoy nature, experience the seasons, and also an important social mechanism.
Japanese has a very structured social hierarchy. The bath house (or hot spring) is a place where people can shed their clothes and symbolically shed their social position. Everyone is equal when they are enjoying a bath. As cares and stress begin to melt away, people open up and talk with eachother.
A small sento often can function as an informal neighborhood meeting spot. One is likely to bump into a neighbor or someone else they might know.
On my first visit to "New Long Life Hot Springs", I was warmly greeted by other customers on my way in who both informed me of the hot spring's hours as well as welcomed me into the neighborhood.
Here are some excellent links for more information and scenes of Japanese culture.
In order to enjoy a nice bath, many people will plan entire vacations around taking a trip to a famous hot spring, but for everyday occasions, the neighborhood onsen (hot spring) or sento (bath house) will do just fine.
Bathing in Japan is for much more than just cleaning the body. It is a way to relax, enjoy nature, experience the seasons, and also an important social mechanism.
Japanese has a very structured social hierarchy. The bath house (or hot spring) is a place where people can shed their clothes and symbolically shed their social position. Everyone is equal when they are enjoying a bath. As cares and stress begin to melt away, people open up and talk with eachother.
A small sento often can function as an informal neighborhood meeting spot. One is likely to bump into a neighbor or someone else they might know.
On my first visit to "New Long Life Hot Springs", I was warmly greeted by other customers on my way in who both informed me of the hot spring's hours as well as welcomed me into the neighborhood.
Here are some excellent links for more information and scenes of Japanese culture.
A sign informs visitors of what kind of baths can be enjoyed at the Onsen.
Included is: sauna, seasonal bath, fresh cold water bath, electric bath, infrared reclining bath, and ultrasonic bath.
A typical interior of a Japanese bathhouse. (photo from flickr user nolabwork)
Included is: sauna, seasonal bath, fresh cold water bath, electric bath, infrared reclining bath, and ultrasonic bath.
A typical interior of a Japanese bathhouse. (photo from flickr user nolabwork)Here are some excellent links for more information and scenes of Japanese culture.
A guide to Japanese bath etiquette from Japan-guide.com.
From Ping Mag:
Sento: A Glimpse Into Japanese Bathhouse Culture
(warning: contains some mild, non sexual nudity)
Also from Ping Mag:
Sento Art: Public Bath House Paintings
From Fuji TV via JapanProbe
The dying art of public bath house painting, via fuji TV
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