What do you think this building in the photo is?
It is a public bathhouse, called sento, in Tokyo, Japan. Sento literally mean fee-based baths, which offer bathing services in commercial and residential areas. On first glance, you might have thought this building is a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine, which actually relates to sento’s origin.

*History
The concept of purification has been prominent in Japan since ancient times. This refers to purifying your body and spirit through bathing in places such as seas, rivers or hot springs. The practice of rinsing your hands and mouth at shrines also comes from this idea.

 After Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the sixth century, bathhouses were built in the grounds of temples. According to Buddhist teaching, bathing removes seven illnesses and brings seven kinds of good luck. For that reason, monks and followers gradually provided free bathing services to the public as a charity.

 Eventually, fee-based bathhouses started to operate throughout Japan, but unlike hot springs it seems most of them were steam or hot air baths as firewood and water were really hard to get. Sento became more common and important places hygienically and socially for local residents, especially in city areas in the Edo period (the 17th-mid 19th century).

 During World War II, many buildings and houses were destroyed, which resulted in a shortage of private baths, so after the war bathhouses were always crowded. In the post-war growth period, however, more and more people were living in new houses or apartments with their own baths. Sento have been decreasing in number since they peaked at 17,642 in 1968. As of April, 2010, there are 3,848 sento all over Japan, according to the Public Bathhouse Trade Association.

*How to use sento
1.When going to some traditional bathhouses, you pay the fee (for example \450 in Tokyo or \ 400 in Hiroshima, as of 2010) at the entrance counter, a high platform called bandai.

2.Have on hand a bath towel, a small towel, soap, shampoo, and any other articles you usually use when taking a bath. These articles are also available for sale at the counter.

3.At the entrance you take off your shoes, and put them in a shoe locker.

4.Be sure to know which door is for males (男 otoko) or females (女 on’na) before entering.

5.Sento are divided into two parts according to sex, and each has a changing room and bathing area with lines of faucets and two or three bath tubs. Note that you take everything off your body before taking a bath. You can bring a small towel to cover yourself, but you must keep it out of the bath tub.

6. Before entering the bath, you should first clean your body by rinsing with hot water, or wash your body with soap and rinse well with hot water. Soaping and rinsing must be done outside of the tub. Then enjoy the bath. Lastly, to avoid making the floor of the changing room slippery, you should wipe yourself off before entering.

Please go to the 30 Onsen/Japanese Hotsprings page on the Japanese Culture website. You’ll find the instructions of “how to take a bath” are pretty much the same.

*Onsen or Sento?
As mentioned, using sento is similar to bathing in an onsen. So what is the difference?
 Onsen or hot springs contain mineral traces while sento don’t since they use tap or well water. Onsen are considered as resorts located in volcanic zones. On the other hand bathing at a sento is a part of everyday life near one’s home.

 In recent years various new types of onsen and sento have sprung up to meet public demand. Thanks to the advancement of drilling technology, there is more access to natural hot springs. Therefore, even in downtown areas, hot springs or large bathing facilities called Super Sento can be enjoyed. They offer a wider variety of services including inside and outside baths, saunas, jacuzzis, massages and restaurants.
 The Japanese have long believed that bathing wards off illness and has a soothing effect. Sento keep this tradition through various assets like wall paintings and architecture. They are also reconsidered as a gathering place, where many events are planned. If you want to relax and experience local cultures easily, sento is a must. While soaking in the bath, elderly people often say, “Oh, it’s Paradise, Paradise.” Why don’t you enjoy this Paradise in Japan?