Sentō
type of Japanese communal bathhouse where customers pay for entrance / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sentō are Japanese public bathhouses. People take baths together there. Many Japanese people think of sentō as an important part of Japanese culture, with its manners and ideas about communities.[1][2][3]
Sentō are not the same as onsen. Onsen are baths built on natural hot springs. Onsen water has dissolved rock in it. Sentō water is either tap water or well water.[4] Some sentō may add good-smelling plants or bath salts to the water. Sentō cost less than onsen to visit.[5]
Today, sentō are not as popular as they once were. This is because people have bathtubs and showers in their homes.[6] They do not need to go to a sentō to clean. Many people still go to sentō, but they go to enjoy the water and relax.[1] The Tokyo Sentō Association makes sure going to a sentō does not become expensive because they want people to be able to go to sentō.[7] Local organizations decide the price. For example, in Tokyo, the Tokyo Sentō Association decides the price.[7][3] In 2020, the price to go to a sentō in Tokyo was ¥480,[6] or a little over US$4.10.