As we already told you in our collection of curiosities from Japan, the culture of the Japanese bath is deeply integrated into the Japanese lifestyle .Whether in its domestic or community version, the Japanese bathroom It moves away from the western conception, which conceives it as a mere hygienic question: it is that for the Japanese it implies a moment of disconnection and purification both body and mental according to the philosophy of the Japanese proverbs.
Do you want to delve deeper into the world of Japanese bath to understand the dimension it reaches? If so, join us below to discover its three main spaces: the Ofuro, the Sento and the Onsen.Find out which one of them will be your favorite!
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Discover the culture of the Japanese bath | Ofuro, Onsen and much more
Japanese bathing areas: hygiene and relaxation
The first thing you should know is that any type of Japanese bathing (both private and public) is differentiated in two areas, and it is unthinkable to conceive them together.
- First, the shower area , where one would sit on a plastic or wooden stool and clear up with the shower handle or throwing a bucket full of water on it.
- Only when it is completely clean will you be able to access the bathroom area , where the Japanese ofuro or bathtub is located, and that it will have a drained soil to absorb all the water that falls.
Types of Japanese baths: Ofuro, Onsen and Sento
1.Ofuro Japones
The ofuro is the name given to the Japanese bathtub , deeper and smaller to the western ones, offering only the space required for the water to cover us well.It is customary for Japanese houses to have an ofuro room, since bath time is an indispensable daily habit.
Another aspect to take into account of Japanese ofuro is the temperature of the water, extremely hot .To maintain the heat, resort to plug the bath once finished its use or to opt for an electrical system responsible for regulating this temperature, reheating it when it decreases a few degrees.
All family members bathe in the same water for a couple of days; hence the importance of keeping it clean and warm.Although usually respected, not all families follow this rule; some even choose to share their moment of Japanese bathing with their young children , taking advantage of the occasion to interact with them.
In short, the main function of the Japanese ofuro is relaxation , and something worth noting is that all these measures followed in the use of the ofuro favor recycling and water conservation .
2.Sento
For those who do not have a Japanese ofuro at home, there is the possibility of attending the so-called Sento, a Japanese community bathroom divided by sexes which can be accessed daily for an affordable price.
The entrance is indicated by a curtain called noren and inside you can find different common pools or bathtubs with non-thermal hot water .These “common bathtubs” can They are of different types: with aromatic herbs, with extremely cold water or even with small electric discharges.Another common feature of the Sento is that some walls are decorated with typical Japanese landscapes, such as Mount Fuji, to move to its clients to an ideal environment.
The procedure is exactly the same as that followed in the domestic Japanese ofuro; that if, we must go completely naked, only loaded with the corresponding hygiene products and a small towel to wash ourselves (not to cover ourselves!).The rest of belongings must remain in our ticket office.
In fact, the discomfort that young people show in the face of nudity is a factor that worries older people, who conceive the experience of the Sento as an opportunity to socialize.However, in recent times this more social character is losing positions little by little.
3.Onsen in Japan
The Japanese country is located in an area of enormous volcanic activity, so there are many areas with natural hot springs.It is thanks to this fact that we can count on a lot of Onsen in Japan; Natural thermal baths located in beautiful landscape enclaves that are considered as a form of relaxation that deserves a getaway.
Its operation is exactly the same as described in the previous types of Japanese baths. While it is true that some are mixed, most of them are still prohibited from entering with tattoos ; although with the passage of time they begin to be less strict regarding this measure.In addition, there are two different types of Onsen, the interiors (covered) and the exteriors (which are called rotenburo).
Their high temperatures, which are usually around 40ºC , can cause dizziness to people who are not used to it.For this reason, it is recommended that we enter slowly and that the time we spend in The Onsen does not exceed 10 minutes.
The benefits reported by the Onsen in Japan are numerous: in addition to relaxation, the richness of the thermal waters in mineral salts gives us therapeutic properties for arthritis , diabetes, blood circulation and body exfoliation .
And where can the Onsen be found in Japan? Although there are exclusive Onsen, especially those are part of the so-called Ryokan or hotels of traditional Japanese style .In them you can not only enjoy the Onsen, but you can live an authentic Japanese experience that includes dressing with yukata, sleep in a futon or taste a typical Japanese breakfast (which has nothing to do with the western one).
At Ryokan, a traditional Japanese-style hotel, Alli can not only take a bath in different Onsen, but it will offer you a complete Japanese experience: you can put a Yukata after the bath, sleep in a futon and you can even enjoy a typical Japanese breakfast (which has nothing to do with the western one).We take advantage of the occasion to recommend that, If you are going to travel to Japan, do not miss the experience of spending at least one night in a Ryokan .
We hope you found it interesting to get a little closer to the culture from the Japanese bathroom.We find it fascinating! Leave your impressions in the comments section and tell us.Are you traveling to Japan soon? Do you already know the different types of Japanese baths? We will read you delighted! 128578;
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