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| How to take a Japanese bath | |
How to Take a Japanese Bath
In most Ryokan there is a Daiyokujou which is a large communal bathing area.
The Ryokan might have smaller personal tubs too. When you want to take a bath
remember to bring the bath towel and the hand towel from your room that was provided
by Ryokan staff.
The Yukata that you have been wearing in the Ryokan can also be used can be as
your bath robe. it is very convenient and accessible, to put on your Yukata when
you go to Daiyokujou. Daiyokujou is a communal place where people come and go
freely. Since not everyone is perfect, it is recommended not to bring precious
belongings to the bathing area, it is best to leave them in your room. At the
bath, all soap and shampoo is provided.
When to take a bath at a Ryokan
The bathing area is usually not available all day or night, the Ryokan staff
will inform you when the bathing room is available. You can also ask at the front
desk.
The bathing rooms are not unisex they are separated into male and female sections.
The following symbols show the bath for women and for men. Japanese people are
very modest and will be offended if you enter the wrong area, so to avoid embarrassment,
make sure before go inside of the bathing area or just ask your Ryokan staff
to show you the right entrance!
In the bathing area, there is a section (a room) called Datsuijo where you are
to take off your clothes and leave them. Put your clothes in a certain place
and leave them there. Do not worry about them going to missing Ryokan staff are
there. You are only to take a hand towel to the bathing room.
Interiors of a Japanese Bath
The Japanese style bath room is composed of two sections; the actual bathing
area and a section to wash your body. Please cleanse and wash your body before
you go the bathing area. The Japanese bath is really for relaxation and to partake
in the symbolic act of cleansing, more so than practical concerns of washing.
The Ritual of the Japanese Bath
You are only to go inside the bath tub after you washed your body. Firstly, you
are to rinse your body with hot water. Washing beforehand helps to keep the water
in bath tub clean since some baths receive their water from natural hot springs..see
onsen...
The rinsing and washing of your body with hot water also acclimatizes you to
the temperature of the bath tub, which can be very hot. It is not advisable to
jump into the water like diving in to a swimming pool. Please use discretion.
Please do not put the hand towel into the bath tub water. Most people place the
towel on their head. And remember do not use any soap or shampoo or other skin
cleansers in bath tub either.
When you want to leave the communal bathing area or a smaller tub, go out of
bath tub and wash your body again. If you have not already washed hair with soap,
please do, but always wash your body again. Please wash off all the soap on your
body too.
And then, go into the bathing area or tub one more time. After a quick soak get
out of bath tub, cleanse yourself with a shower of hot water. This part of the
ritual of the Japanese bath.
Do not pull out the drain plug of the bath tub. Just leave bath room and go back
to your room.
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