Differences in Bathing Culture

There are some big differences in the bathing customs between certain western countries and Japan.

One is that families in Japan generally use the same water to bathe.  In the west, each family member bathes in different water.  When one family member is done bathing, he or she drains the water and lightly cleans the inside of the tub.  In Japan, people clean themselves outside of the tub, then share the bath.  Many visitors unfamiliar with this custom are known to drain the tub.

Another difference is that at large public baths, people completely disrobe themselves.  The bath is considered a place for purification and relieving stress.  In the Edo era, men's public baths were at times places for socializing, where they played chess and other board games.  Public baths, so the thinking goes, are not places one goes to feel exposed, so being seen naked should not be embarrassing.  One does not go to baths to look at the body of those of the same sex, therefore bathing naked with strangers is not strange or offensive.  Years ago, most overseas visitors, embarrassed by bathing naked with strangers, used to wear underwear or bathing suits to bathing facilities.  That, however, is considered unsanitary to the Japanese who shower or clean themselves before entering the tub.

Also, be mindful of how you wear the robes provided by the Japanese inns. The left side of the robe should be layered on top of the right.  Reverse that, and you are wearing it the way corpses are wrapped - the right side on top.  The long obi, or strap, should be doubled up so that it doesn't trail behind you and look sloppy.  Tie the knot into a ribbon, a little off-center and not in the back or right in the middle.