How to take a public bath in Japan

Etiquette and manners

When visiting a sento for the first time, the proper way to do things might seem to be complicated. And do keep in mind, there is a certain way to do things. The Japanese culture is particular about manners. It is generally understood that foreigners might be in the dark about these, but seeing a foreigner do things right generally fills the Japanese with delight, or so some say. In any event, knowing the rules will make your sento visit more enjoyable and for some more genuinely Japanese.

The rules of the public bath start applying as soon as you walk in the door.

The first you thing you will find is a genkan, a traditional Japanese entrance hall, where you take off your shoes and put them in a shoe locker.
When visiting the smaller neighbourhood sento, you will now need to choose between to doors, one that leads to the male section (男の湯, otoko no yu) and one that leads to the female (女の湯, onna no yu) section. If you plan to frequent sento it is probably wise to memorise these kanji. Be careful not to walk into the wrong door, because either you might not like what you see or you might be less than welcome.
When visiting a larger public bath the segregation of sexes doesn't happen until after you've paid, but the idea is the same, two doors or curtains marked with the earlier mentioned kanji.
In case of the small neighbourhood bath house right inside the door you will find the person you pay to, usually an old lady. Don't be discouraged by the fact that this old lady has a clear view into both the male and the female changing area.
For the larger establisments there is either a payment counter or a bank of vending machines in the lobby.
Once you're in the changing area, everything is pretty much the same, no matter the size of the bath you are in. The changing area will have a tatemi floor and lockers on the walls to keep your clothes and valuable. Strip down to your birthday suit. The only thing you will require in the bathing area is a small towel to wash yourself with and to cover your privates if you so desire and any soaps, shampoos and other bathroom utensils you might like to use (toothbrush, razor, etc.). In larger sento soap and shampoo is often provided.
Once you're ready to enter the bathing area, walk through the sliding door. The first thing you will likely find is a small basin with warm water and a small bucket. Use the bucket and the water to rinse yourself.
Before entering the baths, scrub yourself clean in the washing area, consisting of small stools, hot and cold taps and usually showers. Wash your whole body with the soap and small towel you brought in. After you're completely clean, rinse yourself well, to make sure all foam is gone of your body, and do the same with your small towel. While the towel shouldn't be taken into the water, it should nevertheless not contain any soap anymore.
Enjoy the various baths, but keep in mind some of the following points:
- The small towel you brought in with you should not be taken into the bath with you, but rather left on the rim of the bath.
- As said previously, make sure there is no shampoo or soap left on your body.
- If you feel embarrased about being naked, feel free to use the small towel to cover your privates.
- If you use the sauna that is usually available in the bathing area, make sure you rinse the sweat of your body afterwards before entering the bath again.
- It almost goes without say, but DO NOT urinate in the water. The water in Japanese public baths contains a special chemical that turns the water and your body bright purple if it mixes with urine.
- Respect other people in the bath, so don't make lots of noise and refrain from all those other social un-niceties.
After you're sufficiently soaked and are ready to get out, wipe your body with your small towel before re-entering the changing area. There is usually an area between the sliding door to the bath and the tatami floor of the changing area where you can do so.