Experience Traditional Japanese Sento Bathhouses! Vol.2

┃The Wellness Benefits of Sento Health and Beauty

For most Japanese people, bathing is not only a way to cleanse the body but a fundamental part of daily wellness—a ritual to release fatigue and reconnect with oneself. While showers dominate in the West, in Japan, the bath remains a cultural mainstay.
Even though many now bathe at home, sento lovers still seek out their neighborhood bathhouse weekly, or even daily. For them, it’s not just about getting clean—it’s a full-body health and beauty practice.

Why do some prefer the sento over a home bath?
The difference lies first in the space: larger, deeper tubs allow full-body immersion, encouraging better heat absorption. It’s far easier to truly warm up, stretch, and move freely in a sento pool than in a typically small domestic tub. As a result, the benefits are said to last longer—relieving tension, calming the nervous system, and helping the body recharge more thoroughly.

Another key point is water quality. While some sento use regular tap water, many draw from deep underground sources, rich in minerals absent in our homes. Add to this high-pressure jets, herb-infused baths, and carbonated spring water, and the experience becomes not only more effective but therapeutically luxurious. These features are said to support blood circulation, muscle recovery, skin health, and better sleep.
Beyond the physical, the mental benefits are also significant.
Professor Hayasaka Shinya, a leading medical researcher in balneotherapy at Tokyo City University, has demonstrated that bathing can induce happiness—thanks in part to the floating sensation, which promotes a deep sense of ease.
Personally, I see sento as a mental detox. In our hyper-connected lives, stepping into a place where phones and screens are forbidden (except for the occasional sauna TV) is rare and precious. The hum of conversation, the splash of water, and the steam all create a meditative ambiance that slows the mind. It’s a moment to let go.
When I moved to Japan in 2008, I discovered just how much a daily bath could heal. After long, exhausting days, I would step into the hot water and feel my anxiety and tension evaporate with the steam.
Leaving the sento, I often felt like relieved from stress. It was transformative.
One sento owner told me the following:
“Today, after four years of working at a sento front desk, I see it all the time. People walk in tense or tired—and leave looking lighter, softer, smiling. Many offer a simple ‘Arigatou, ii oyu deshita’ (‘Thank you, that was a great bath.’), a phrase often said with the same satisfaction as after a good meal or a glass of wine. This phrase alone keeps me motivated, even in challenging times.”

Sento may also support beauty and healthy aging.
Some studies in Japan have begun exploring the concept of hormesis—a positive biological reaction to low-level stress. In the context of sento, the brief heat stress of high-temperature baths (41–42°C) is thought to trigger the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs), suggesting potential roles in cellular repair and aging prevention.
Although still being researched, early findings link HSP activation to anti-aging effects. And anecdotally, the older women I meet in the bath rarely look their age. I’m convinced the sento plays a role.
To optimize HSP benefits, it’s recommended to stay immersed for about ten minutes, then rest—ideally not jumping into a cold bath immediately, as this can interrupt the process. Light sweating also helps boost HSP production, but most importantly, you should listen to your body and stay well-hydrated.
After the bath, the skin is especially absorbent. To lock in hydration, apply lotion or cream immediately.
Sento time can also be turned into a mini spa ritual. I often bring masks or scrubs and do self-massage or gentle yoga stretches in the warm atmosphere. After sweating and soaking, both the skin and muscles are more receptive.
In the Edo period (1603-1868), people valued public baths not just for cleanliness, but to feel refreshed and refined—elegant, even. I feel the same.
Before an important meeting or event, I’ll often go to the sento. It not only calms my nerves, but gives my skin a healthy glow—and a welcome boost in confidence.