銭湯：Sento (Public bath)

"Sento" is public bath or common bathhouse in Japanese towns and cities. Unique design like temples and picture on the wall inside the bathroom are characteristic of a "Sento". There used to be such "Sento" in almost all towns. However, nowadays homes with bathtubs have become common making the "sentos" unnecessary.
But recently, such a distinctive structure and bathing style have become a popular tourist’s spot for foreigners and, there are some travel packaged tour that includes visiting "Sento".
You take off your clothes in the changing room before entering the bathroom as same as when you are at a hot spring. Many countries have bath traditions, but there is something very special about the Japanese "Sento".