Ofuro (Public Bath)

Have you guys ever heard of Ofuro? It's translated as the  "bath"  in Japanese and it literally mean the public bath at the country of the rising sun. This is a traditional way of the Japanese to clean themselves. Since Japan has　chilly weather (except for summer)　most of the time, ofuro is basically a-must to wash away the exhaustion and most importantly to keep the body warm.

Inside the ofuro is a large pool of water above 40 degrees and usually people clean up/ take a light shower before entering the "pool". It's like a big sauna except that this "sauna" is immersing the body in the hot water. Entering ofuro has even been clinically proven to improve blood circulation and etc!  

Photos taken from Google

Now the questions.

• Can you imagine yourself bathing with someone else?

• Have you ever bath with either your family members or friends? (Don't tell me you did it when you were a kid. That obviously is not valid!)

• What will you feel to be naked in front of people you don't know?  

• What will you do when you see the naked body of other people?

Since I've went  into Ofuro before, I think I'm qualified to write a post about this right? XD

It was last year. Half a year after I've been in Japan.
Although many attempts has been made by my seniors and my the other friend to enter ofuro, I've turned them down for enormous times. Seriously I was not ready mentally and physically to do that thing! Not even my mum has see me naked before! Now you want me to just walk in and bath with friends and strangers... NAKED??   

But after half a year in Japan, I've made a big leap, bringing along mountains of  courage to actually step into this place.
I still remember that I struggled for a few 10 minutes to take off my bra although my shirts has been taken off long time ago. And of course the undies too. ~.~

I mean,  even the European wear bikini at the beach (not naked). But this is not a single cloth on you to cover anything! I did feel shy and uneasy. I still do now. But it is better compare to the first time. XD
I think that most of you out there ready this must have been thinking "OMG! shirtless infront of another people??!!"

But I never regret trying that.
The feeling of immersing yourself in the bath (especially during winter) is like in cloud nine. I still remember I once went to an open space ofuro where it was so cold but we feel so comfortable and warm in the pool.  =)


I have no idea how and why this tradition has been in Japan. It:'s quite ironic when the Japanese are not shy of showing their body to strangers but feel extremely anxious about the sound made during urination.  Guess these these is Japanese huh? XD

Entering ofuro is one of the craziest thing I've done in my 20.
hahaha! I should be proud of it right?

Have you ever try entering ofuro (public bath) before?
Don't forget to try Japan's if you have the chance!