Japanese Bathrooms & Etiquette

The etiquette and practices when using a Japanese bathroom or ‘ofuroba’ are very similar to that of an onsen. If you recall from our onsen article, the Japanese love to soak in the warm relaxing waters of the hot springs, but not everyone can go to an onsen every day. The solution? Well of course you turn your own bathroom into a personal yet diversified relaxation room – or shall I say rooms! Firstly, the typical Japanese household will have 3 individual spaces (or rooms) for the sink, the toilet, and the bathroom itself. Every anime fan knows of the traditional tatami rooms and Japanese bathing culture which is quite different from the western world. Because the bathwater is used for relaxation and is usually kept warm (often through technological means in modern day Japan) it is primarily kept clean for the whole family. How you ask? Well the first area which includes change area and the sink in which a place to rinse and wash your body and then proceed to the next room/area with the bathtub. Some toilet rooms include a completely separate sink so to keep it all in check regarding dirt and bacteria.

If you’re a little more removed from the traditional low tech Japanese bathroom, it would really pay off to check out the high tech ones which even fit in a small apartment building. I would highly recommend you to watch the video link below and gather a really clear idea of what goes on in Japan and this awesome practice.

For more reading check out these links:

• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2002.html
• http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/12-awesome-features-of-japanese-bathrooms-you-wont-find-in-the-west