Glossary

What do those words in the sento mean?

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Ashiyu (足湯): Ashiyu means footbath. They are commonly found at larger sento, often in the bathing area, or right outside the building of many Onsen. The ashiyu is only meant for feet, and trying to sit down in the fairly shallow water might result in stares. When found outside the building of an Onsen the ashiyu can be used by any passer-by and bathers only need to take off their shoes and sit down with their feet in the water.

Daitsuijo (脱衣場): The changing area. This area is usually equiped with lockers for the bathers to store their clothing in while they take a bath. One wall of the daitsuijo is usually lined with mirrors and hairdryers. Generally there are a drink vending machine and a few chairs placed in the daitsuijo as well. In many smaller sento the daitsuijo also contains a massage chair.
Denkifuro (電気風呂): Denki means electricity and furo means bath (see Ofuro). Electric elements on opposite sides of the denkifuro send an eletrical current through the water. When the bather sits between the two elements the current will tighten the muscles where it hits the body. This is meant to stimulate bloodflow through the muscles and is thought to have a positive effect on chronic pains. Be careful because if used in an improper way the denkifuro will do more harm then good.

Kakeyu (かけ湯): Warm water meant for bathers to rinse themselves with before entering the baths. The kakeyu is usually found in a small basin close to the bathing area entrance.
Karan (カラン): The wall mounted faucets used for washing before entering the bath.

Notenburo (野天風呂): Noten means open air, similarly to roten in Rotenburo. The term notenburo however refers to an indoor bath.

Ofuro (お風呂): The Japanese word for bath. Public baths houses are therefore often referred to as ofuroya-san.
Onnayu (女湯): The female side of the bath house. The 女 sign means female.
Onsen (温泉): Water from a geothermally heated spring that is directed into a bath. Traditionally these baths were outdoors, but these days onsen are often incorporated in public bath houses and ryokans (Japanese style inns). Since the source of the hot water is usually volcanic, the water from an onsen generally contains lots of minerals and is therefore believed to have different health benefits, depending on its chemical composition.
Otokoyu (男湯): The male side of the bath house. The 男 sign means male.

Rotenburo (露天風呂): Roten means open air and buro means bath (see Ofuro). As such rotenburo means outdoor bath.

Sento (銭湯): The Japanese term for a public bath house. The water in a sento is, unlike an Onsen, not geothermally heated. Instead tap water is heated for use in the baths. Some sento however do use hot spring water to fill one bath. In such a case the word Onsen will often appear in the name of the sento.
Shiosauna (塩サウナ): Salt sauna. The temperature in the shiosauna is usually around 60°C and in the middle sits a large bucket with salt. The bather rubs the salt onto his/her skin and stays in the shiosauna for 10 to 15 minutes. The salt stimulates the sweat glands and the rubbing is good for the bloodflow through the skin.
Super Sento (スーパー銭湯): This fairly new phenomenon is a super-sized bath house. The bathing area houses a larger variety of often larger baths, as well as other non-standard features such as several kinds of sauna's. Besides a larger bathing area the lobby of a super sento often provides other services, such as cheap meals, massages and sometimes even haircuts.