2022.10.01
Communal bathing can be one of the more challenging Japanese customs to bring yourself to try, particularly for people from cultures where the sole purpose of bathing is to get clean. For many Japanese people, however, the public bath is not only a place to wash, but also to relax, either on your own or with friends or family.
While there are a number of kinds of facilities where the communal bath is the main attraction, such as 'super sentō' (スーパー銭湯, which often also have a restaurant, massage service, a comic and magazine reading room, etc.), smaller local bathhouses, or sentō (銭湯, lit. money + hot water) also provide their own unique style of bathing experience.
More than just a place to wash and soak in hot water, at sentō you can try a number of baths with various remedial properties, such as massaging jet baths, medicated baths and electric current baths. (Watch out for the cold water bath!)
At older sentō you can also enjoy the aesthetic of the bathroom, and details such as the tiles, the form of the baths, and, in some cases, the artistry of a mural. Even the changing rooms (where you remove your clothes before entering the bathroom) have their own distinct atmosphere that can generate feelings of nostalgia in Japanese people accustomed to their own bathtubs and the more modern facilities of the big super sentō.
Here, we have listed some of the older sentō in Nagoya City where you can still experience the old local bathhouse atmosphere. To find other sentō in Nagoya or elsewhere in Aichi, see the AICHI SENTO website at https://aichi1010.jp/ (Japanese).
For those curious about Nagoya's sentō but still uncomfortable with the idea of communal bathing, the Aichi Public Bathhouse Exhibit (see below) is worth a visit.
Bathhouse tips
- Remove all your clothes and underwear before entering the bathing area.
- Wash your body with a shower or with a pail before entering a bath.
- Keep the baths clean for other users.
- Leave the washing area clean for the next user.
- Don't put your towel in the bath water.
- Dry yourself as thoroughly as possible before returning to the changing room. Try to keep the changing room dry.
- Don't use smartphones or cameras in the changing room or bathing area.
Aichi Public Bathhouse Exhibit (あいち銭湯資料館)
Photos courtesy of Aichi Prefecture Public Bathhouse Operators Association
Located on the second floor of the Aichi Prefecture Public Bathhouse Operators Association office building is an extremely rare exhibit of sentō-related artifacts. Consisting of equipment and other items donated by former bathhouse operators when their facilities closed, many of the exhibits, from small items such as oke (桶, pail) to larger equipment such as an okama doraiyā (オカマドライヤー, hooded hair dryer) and a massage machine, are rarely seen in bathhouses today. Why not soak up some more of the retro bathhouse atmosphere after visiting a bathhouse?
You can also pick up some souvenirs, with a selection of original items including bags, T-shirts and badges available at the first floor office.
When: Mon. to Fri. (10:00 - 16:00) Closed Sat., Sun., national holidays, end of year / New Year period, O-bon period in mid-August.
Where: Naka Ward Chiyoda 3-chome (中区千代田3丁目) 9-14 (located within the Aichi Prefecture Public Bathhouse Operators Association [愛知県公衆浴場業生活衛生同業組合] office)
Access: A 3-minute walk from Tsurumai Sta. ( 「鶴舞」駅, T10) on the Subway Tsurumai Line (地下鉄鶴舞線), and Tsurumai Sta. ( 「鶴舞」駅, CF02) on the JR Chuo Line (JR中央線).
Admission: Free
Website: https://aichi1010.jp/public_bathhouse_exhibit/ (Japanese)
More than just a tub of hot water:
Here are some of the types of baths you might find at a bathhouse.
高温サウナ kōon sauna |
sauna |
水風呂 mizu-buro |
cold water bath |
薬湯・替わり湯 yakuyu / kusuriyu・kawariyu |
seasonal bath, may contain flowers, leaves or fruit |
ジェット・泡・バイブラ jetto/awa/baibura |
jet/bubble/vibration bath |
電気風呂 denki-buro |
electric current bath |
露天風呂 roten-buro |
outdoor bath |
寝風呂 ne-buro |
lie-down bath |
座風呂 zaburo |
sitting bath |
白湯 sayu / shirayu / hakutō |
plain hot water |
Jizōyu (地蔵湯)
Photos courtesy of Aichi Prefecture Public Bathhouse Operators Association
A Taisho- and Showa-era retro bathhouse.
Facilities: cold water bath; jet/bubble/vibration bath; electric current bath; plain hot water bath.
When: 15:00 - 23:30
Closed: Fridays
Where: Nakamura Ward Taiko (中村区太閤) 5-18-19
Access: A 10-minute walk southwest from Nagoya Station ( 「名古屋」駅) Taiko-dori (Shinkansen) Exit.
Daikokuyu (大黒湯)
Photos courtesy of Aichi Prefecture Public Bathhouse Operators Association
Established at the beginning of the Showa period, the nostalgic tiles and the particularly high temperature of its water are the distinguishing features of this bathhouse.
Facilities: Sauna; cold water bath; jet/bubble/vibration bath; electric current bath; plain hot water bath.
When: 15:30 - 23:00
Closed: Sundays
Where: Nakamura Ward Futatsubashi-cho (中村区二ツ橋町) 2-58
Access: A 4-minute walk from Nakamura Kuyakusho Sta. ( 「中村区役所」駅, S01) on the Subway Sakura-dori Line (地下鉄桜通線).
Hōtokuyu (報徳湯)
Photos courtesy of Aichi Prefecture Public Bathhouse Operators Association
A small, old-fashioned bathhouse. The managers are particularly fastidious about the temperature and quality of the water. Children are sure to enjoy a bath here, too.
Facilities: Sauna; cold water bath; medicated bath/seasonal bath; jet/bubble/vibration bath; electric current bath; plain hot water bath.
When: 15:30 - 24:00 (Last entry 23:30)
Closed: Mondays
Where: Kita Ward Heian (北区平安) 2-20-43
Access: A 5- to 7-minute walk from Ozone Sta. ( 「大曽根」駅, M12) on the Subway Meijo Line (地下鉄名城線) or Heian-dori Sta. ( 「平安通」駅, M11/K02) on the Subway Meijo Line and Kamiiida Line (上飯田線).
Yachiyoyu (八千代湯)
Photos courtesy of Aichi Prefecture Public Bathhouse Operators Association
This bathhouse offers 8 different bathing experiences, including an outdoor bath (an unusual feature for a local bathhouse). There's also a popular Komeda Coffee shop on the second floor.
Facilities: Sauna; cold water bath; medicated bath/seasonal bath; jet/bubble/vibration bath; electric current bath; outdoor bath; lie-down bath; sitting bath.
When: 14:00 - 24:00 (9:00 - 24:00 on Sundays)
Closed: Mondays
Where: Nishi Ward Kaminagoya (西区上名古屋) 1-12-5
Access: A 12-15-minute walk from Meijo Koen Sta. ( 「名城公園」駅, M08) on the Subway Meijo Line (地下鉄名城線), or Joshin Sta. ( 「浄心」駅, T04) on the Subway Tsurumai Line (地下鉄鶴舞線)
Shinmotoyu (新元湯)
Photos courtesy of Aichi Prefecture Public Bathhouse Operators Association
A nostalgic bathhouse that has been operating since the Taisho period.
Facilities: Medicated bath; plain hot water bath.
When: 16:00 - 18:00
Closed: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 of every month; may also close at other times.
Where: Nakagawa Ward Shimonoisshiki-cho Minaminokiri (中川区下之一色町南の切) 54-1
Access: A 35-minute walk from Fushiya Sta. (「伏屋」駅, E06) on the Kintetsu Nagoya Line (近鉄名古屋線)
Bathing fees at all featured bathhouses: Adults (Junior HS students and older) 460 Yen; Elementary students 150 Yen; Pre-school-aged children 70 Yen