Sento (public bath house) is a space for communication. Before accepting the western influence, both Japanese males and females had taken a bath together. They had never hesitated, and had frankly and equally communicated with each other in a bathtub. Nowadays, people in the same neighborhood chats, jokes and laughs with one another. They feel relaxed after their hard work.
These days, some sentos started challenging, and converted their style to a theme park. They installed not only spa, massages and medical baths but food court, body scrub and even bed rooms for a nap. Located in the suburbs, such style attracts those coming with family for their daytrip.
Sento gives some help to foreigners. Most of them are not familiar with taking a bath. In order to avoid any troubles, sento made a poster showing how to take it, written in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. Some sentos also have laundromat inside or the next door, so people can wash their clothes while enjoying a bath.
Sento has a long history, and you can find some aspects of the Japanese culture. Some of the old sentos imitate temple from an architectural point of view. Bathroom has traditional wallpainting such as that of Mt. Fuji. On certain days, they make medical baths; for example, on May 5, they put flag into a bath to celebrate Children’s Day. All of them are based on the Japanese tradition.
Now, it is time for you to try sento. Pay the fee at the reception, leave everything in a locker, wash your body, and then you can take a bath. Be careful that it is often too hot for you. Try a roten buro (open-air bath) if the sento has one. It is usually cooler and comfortable for you.