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public bath

Hidden onsen hot spring near Tokyo is waiting to be discovered by foreign tourists

A secret gem you won’t find in travel guides.

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Bathe in the waters of a rare Japanese onsen temple steeped in over 1,000 years of history

Escape the crowds of tourists at Nikko with a visit to this hidden gem.

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How not to bathe at a public bathing facility in Japan

Four annoying behaviours commonly seen amongst men at the onsen and sento.

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Kyoto sightseeing tour: The most amazing old bathhouses in the city

Step back in time as we explore Kyoto’s hidden onsen culture. 

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This new Onsen Mask is here to help you soak in the steam, not the germs

A specially constructed mask designed for use in all kinds of public bathing facilities.

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Indulge in this sumo, public bath-themed room during your next stay in Tokyo’s Harajuku district

“Dosukoi” is the next iteration of themed travel accommodations being offered by the fun and inventive Moshi Moshi Rooms.

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Naked waterslide found in Toyama bathhouse, all-you-can-slide for $5

The freedom of naked watersliding may be fun in theory, but in practice…

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Government begins study into tattoo bans in public baths

On 23 June the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) announced that it would be conducting a first-of-its-kind study into public bathing facilities such as onsen (hot springs) and sento (bath houses), and their rules regarding tattoos.

Visitors to Japan are often warned that if they want to visit one of Japan’s hundreds of natural springs or meticulously designed baths they can’t be inked up. But how widespread is this rule in Japan really, and is it doing more harm than good in this day and age? These are the things the JTA hopes to learn more about in the weeks to come.

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Audi celebrates 200,000 likes with (almost) traditional sentō mural

To celebrate 200,000 likes on Facebook, Audi commissioned sentō (public baths) artist Mizuki Tanaka to paint a mural that could be enjoyed while relaxing in the hot water of natural springs. Our photographer went to check it out.

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A guide to public bathhouses, the newest hot spot for tourists in Tokyo

When coming to Japan, there’s a wealth of things to do and see–even just staying within the Tokyo city limits, you’d be hard pressed to enjoy everything available in a week. On the other hand, if you just stick with the big sightseeing spots, you’ll be both crushed by crowds and probably bored in a few days. This has left a lot of overseas tourists with time–and incentive–to look for new or unique activities.

One of the things apparently gaining popularity is sento, or public bathhouses. While not quite as much fun as hanging out in hot springs in the mountains with monkeys, sento still provide a fun and different activity for anyone just looking to relax. The warm waters are especially welcome after a few days running around Tokyo! But you might want to check this handy guide before you head out for a soak in order to avoid annoying other bathers.

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