Public Bathhouse, or “Sento”, one of the best options for relaxation

 Have you ever been to Japanese style public bathhouse, or “Sento” in Japanese word?  If not, I do recommend you going there.

Sento, especially in Tokyo, was developed in Edo era, more than a couple of centuries ago, providing bathing facilities to local resident as there were no in-house bath at that time.

Image courtesy of the University of Tokyo General Library - “Kengu Irigomi Sento Shinwa”, showing Sento in Edo era (*)

Probably because of its long history thereafter, Sento is not just only bathing facilities but also the place for relaxing such as wall painting (featuring Mt. Fuji or other mountain view, seaside view, etc.), very wide space with often high roof, small Japanese garden, rest space and so on, also functions as communication station for local resident; family, kids, young and old generation.

Having such historical background, Sento remains for public up to now and basic Sento fare is very reasonable (JPY520/psn in Tokyo as of September 2023) as it is determined by each local government in return for various governmental financial support to Sento owners in accordance with the relevant regulations.

For me, visiting Sento almost every weekend is an essential part of my life for more than two decades to have a relax time and refresh myself.

I have some first choice favorite Sentos such as the one having free flowing real hot spring, the one having sauna and water pool, the one having artificial carbonated spring & jet water stream massage bath, and so forth. All of them are in Koto Ward or neighboring Ward, within my daily living area.

If I have something to do outside my living area, I often check a Sento map to search for a Sento nearby. As there are about 440 Sentos in Tokyo, I can find some on the way or around that area, enjoying Sento cruise. Sometimes, my crise is extended out of Tokyo as there are Sentos in the other major cities too.

If you do not know which Sento to go or if you want to know more about Sento, please visit Sento Association’s website below:

Tokyo Sento Association (English, Chinese and Korean pages available)
https://www.1010.or.jp/english/

Koto Ward Sento Map as of 2023 (Japanese version only, total 19 sentos)
https://www.city.koto.lg.jp/102040/sangyoshigoto/chusho/jigyo/documents/omote.pdf

At last, I would like to inform you the basic rules and manners in Sento as follows:

- In addition to basic fare (@JPY520 in Tokyo), optional fare may be required such as sauna, depending on each Sento & your needs, and
- Male and female are separated, and,
- No swimming suits are allowed to wear, and,
- Need to wash your body before entering into bathtub, and,
- No swimming is allowed, and,
- No towel is allowed to soak into the bathtub, and,
- No washing clothes nor coloring hair is allowed in the bathroom, and,
- Drying your body by towel before going out of bathroom.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy Sento and hopefully find out your own favorite during your stay!

By Ken Onu (September 2023)