Sento (public bath)
A sento was originally a public bathhouse for people that
did not have a bath at home. The number of sentos has declined since Showa
40 (1965) as the number of homes with baths increased. Now we are in the
Heisei Era(1989～) and times have changed. Sentos have been reevaluated
as a kind of hot spring in town, a kind of spa where people can relax.
They are now regarded more as a luxury, an inexpensive leisure spot for
all, and have regained popularity.
In Tokyo the temperature of the water in the sento baths can be different
in each bathhouse, but are usually around 42 ℃. The bath is over 50 cm
deep. You may be surprised at the hot temperature, as it is hotter than
most baths at home. But it is said that soaking deeply in the hot tub
is good for proteins in the body. It can facilitate metabolism and improve
the immune system.