Bathhouse Basics: How to Enjoy a Japanese “Sentō”

“Let’s go!” Furo is ready for bathtime.

A bag with a small towel or washcloth and washing items can be handy.

Be aware that boots and other large footwear may not fit in the getabako.

Razors, toothbrushes, and towels are among the items on sale at the reception desk.

Lockers provide basic security, but it is best not to store anything too valuable.

Furo scrubs himself clean before bathing.

Soaking away the cares of the world.

Furo models the classic “towel-on-head” look of the Japanese bathhouse.

A quiet drink on the veranda.

Coffee milk, plain milk, and fruit milk. Bottled drinks like these are a postbath staple at sentō.

Furo performs comic routines at bathhouses sometimes. Here audience seats are lined up in the bathtub for a performance at a sentō in Kōenji, Tokyo.