Nishitama, Okutama : A Trip Into Tokyo’s Untapped Forests
Forests in Tokyo? Impossible – you might think, but it’s very possible. Two hours west of Shinjuku, lies the Nishitama area, part of greater Tokyo. Now, to many Tokyo residents, Nishitama is nothing special...
Bathing Culture in Japan – WAttention Special
A nice hot bath is universally enjoyed and communal bathing has been a cultural element in various times and places in history. People have enjoyed bathing together in Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, the...
Why I Love Sento: Interview with Stephanie Crohin
This is a love story of sorts, it truly is. Stephanie Crohin was invited by friends to experience a Japanese public bath or 'sento' one day, took the offer and was charmed by the...
Bathing Culture: Mysteries of Sento: Q and A
Mysteries of Sento
Japanese public bath or sento has been and still is big part of Japanese culture. However, many of those new to Japan are hesitant to visit sento because they don't feel they...
Bathing Culture: Sento Keywords
A lot of the items in a Japanese public bathhouse or sento have very specific names that are usually left untranslated. Instead of translation, they are best understood through explanations. Below, we delve into...
Bathing Culture: The History of Sento
Beginnings of Sento
A lot of people from various cultures have felt that bathing cleans more than just their bodies; there is also a feeling of cleansing your mind and soul. This is no coincidence,...
Snow at its Best: Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival
Toshogu Shrine and Lake Chuzenji are two of the most well-known attractions in Nikko. But do you know that Yunishigawa is also an attraction with historical significance? You don’t have to travel all the...
Tohoku Scenic Sakura Spots and Their Charming Caretakers
For the Japanese, spring is “the season of cherry blossoms”. This love for cherry blossoms, called sakura in Japanese, forms part of the traditional Japanese culture. This is especially true for the cold northern...
Go back in time to the Showa period to soak in a soul-repairing onsen
By Bethany Kary
If you ever wanted to see Japan in a different era, or just want a different onsen experience, then try Saitama’s Showa Period Retro Onsen.
Shōwa period lasted 63 years, but many people...
Understanding Sento culture
Have you ever visited a sento?
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Sento is a public bath often found in urban residential areas. Unlike onsen, which use natural...
