Bathing culture

Why Japan bathes the way it does

Short reads to take into the water with you.

Illustration

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  The bath as a quiet practice

  Why a Japanese soak feels more like meditation than a wash, and how to get the most out of it.

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  Why some Japanese baths refuse tattoos

  The history behind the rule, why it's slowly changing, and what it means for you at the counter.

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  Sento, the neighborhood bathhouse

  Mount Fuji murals, a counter by the door and a few hundred yen. Why Japan's public baths are worth a detour.

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  Reading the water

  Sulfur, salt, acid, iron. A short guide to Japan's hot-spring types, and the notice on the wall that tells you which one you're in.