Although it is not sure if Japan inherits the custom of the ancient Roman Empire (perhaps not), public bathing has been quite popular in Japan for a long time. More realistic historical background comes from the fact that there is a number of hot springs all over Japan, particularly in mountainous areas. Around the spring was built a bank to form a small dam and people enjoyed bathing together inside the dam. Later, the water from the hot springs was transported with a bamboo tube to nearby towns, and the habit of public bathing continued by substituting the dam with a huge bath tab.

The prototype of current public bathing spot in the city area in Japan was probably founded in Edo (current Tokyo) in the era of Tokugawa Shogunate (17th to 19th centuries, see popular arts of those days). Now, there is a number of public bathing spot in Japan, and most of them keep the tradition of the public bath, with a huge bath tab in a big bath hall (too big to say "bathroom") and continuously overflowing water. Formerly, the Japanese used to wash their body beside the dam or bath tab, sitting on a small wooden stool. This is a wise way of keeping the water in the bath tab clean. This custom has mostly been overtaken by the current style of sitting in front of a taps of hot and cold water and a shower, but still on a small stool. After washing, people enter the bath tab and enjoy daily conversation, the subject ranging from the news in the town and the world to the discussion of national policy and even diplomacy. Actually, the bath halls in the public bath spots constitute a medium for public communication.

How to take a public bath in Japan

The following page helps you with the guideline and tips when you take a bath in NYC and elsewhere in Japan. The bath halls for men and women are strictly separated, and entrance to the wrong room, either intentional or by error, constitutes a violation of law and will result in arrest and punishment.

Bathing in NYC

In the student lodgings of NYC (building A), there is a common bathroom in each unit (each unit consisting of eight to sixteen students), a smaller version of the traditional bath hall (photo 1). Three to five persons can share the bathroom all at once. Note that you must not attempt to occupy the bathroom by oneself. In case you are hesitating to take off all your clothes in the presence of your fellows, you may stay in the bathroom with swimming wears on (an exception that only holds in building A).

In the first floor of building B, which stands next to your lodgings, there are four bathrooms, two large halls and two smaller halls (photo 2). You can experience the atmosphere of traditional bath halls in the public bathing spot in the city area in free of charge.
We hope that most of you enjoy the traditional Japanese culture of bathing during your stay in Japan.

How to take a public bath in Japan

If you go to public bath, you might need to know the custom as the Japanese do.
Here is how to take a bath in Japan.

photo3: changing room and the shelf in NYC

photo4: bathroom in NYC

Step1:	Take off your clothes in the changing room, and put clothes in the basket. (Photo3)
Step2:	Enter the bathroom with a small towel.(Photo4)
Step3:	Pick up a bucket and a stool, and put them down in front of a tap or shower.
Step4:	Wash your body or hair in front of the shower. (It should be done outside of the tub.)
Step5:	Rinse off soap and shampoo well.
Step6:	Get in the bathtub if you want. Remember not to bring anything into the tub, not even a towel.
Step7:	Get off the bathtub.
Step8:	Dry your body with your small towel before you go out from the bathroom.
Step9:	Dry your body with your bath towel and dress in the changing room.

Tips:

• The water in the tub might be hot in Japan. You can adjust it by running cold water, but don't overdo it.
• Usually, the tub water is used by others. Please remember not to drain the water when you are finished.