How to Take a Japanese Bath

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In Japan, most homes are equipped with Japanese-style baths, but not necessarily showers. The art of getting clean in a Japanese bath (or _ofuro_) takes some getting used to for most foreigners.

Step 1: Fill the bath
Fill the ofuro with water heated to between 102 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much hotter than typical western bathwater.

Step 2: Rinse yourself
Rinse yourself thoroughly in the washing area outside of the ofuro before stepping into the bath.

Tip
The washing area outside the bath will typically include a hose shower. If it doesn't, remove water from the bath with a plastic bucket to rinse yourself.

Step 3: Enter the bath
Step slowly into the ofuro and make yourself comfortable. Savor the warmth of the bath.

Step 4: Exit the bath
Exit the ofuro when you have had enough or become too hot.

Tip
Dry yourself with a towel after exiting the ofuro, or wash yourself with soap prior to re-entering it. Rinse the soap off so you do not introduce any soap into the ofuro.

Step 5: Do not drain the bath water
Do not drain the water in the ofuro if others will be bathing after you. Japanese custom is that all members of a household use the same bath water.

Did You Know?
In Japan, bathing in a volcanic hot spring -- an onsen -- is considered a form of relaxation -- not a way to get clean.

[halkainagaki]

Actually, about 90% of Japan's homes are definantly NOT equipped with a traditional bath, and they are actual TUBS that can talk to you, and has electronically settings and are more high tech than that of an American bathtub. One last thing, and おふろ is just the word "bathtub", not very special. I'm just stating this because I currently live in Japan but I've lived in the U.S. For over 13 years, and some things stated can come off as not true, and stereotypical.

[teriyakipuppy]

@sk8rguy4life1123
Baths are seen by the Japanese not only as hygienic but relaxing activity. The reason why they shower before entering the bath is because the hot bath water is shared with other people. This is common in households as well as public baths.

[BKLYF]

Step 1: Shower
Step 2: Take a bath
Step 3: Clean off

[charforeverbiotch]

i did this when i was in a traditional hotel in japan...oh how it is amazing

[frostythesnwman]

That bath relaxes you and it feels AMAZING

[ChampI]

I love how you just 'casually' need an Ofuro.

[RandomJe]

Oh look a howcast that is informing, accurate and useful this is very rate

[FullMetalPipsqueak]

you have to bathe yourself before you get into the bath.

[alozzzy]

@sk8rguy4life1123 In Japan they clean themselves in a bathroom which is a room that has a bath adn shower and the whole room gets wet. You wash and clean yourself in the shower part then get in and soak in the tub

[Monicasiva]

The "optional" is your must needs...

[NubsTheWin]

Step 1: Go to Japan (Jetski across the Pacific Ocean =D)
Step 2: Take a bath.
TIP dont breathe the water.

[manderitup]

Step 1: bring your bathtub into a Japanese restaurant
Step 2: bathe while they cook in front of you.
HOW TO TAKE A JAPANESE BATH LIKE A BOSS

[SaminaAdel]

u kno in japan most people dont wear kimonos normally they do in summer festivel, hinamatsuri (girls day) and other events such as that i kno that cause i am japanese and live there

[TSanMig]

wait, in the beginning, did she say soap was optional???

[amberlilly]

its part of the Japanese culture even modern many people take showers to clean and baths to relax

[Connie-v]

So... basically a hot tub without the jets on?

[miyakokitagiwa]

So you get cleaned before the bath...?

[lovereachable]

All members of the household will be using the same water?!!

[RandomJe]

For the people going ewww they bath in the shower than soak in the tub just like a hot tub really

[cjlowe]

@skeetdoner I don't think they did.