Translation guide
A public bathhouse is a shared bathing facility where people go to bathe, relax, and socialize. In Japan, these are typically called 銭湯 (sentō) or 温泉 (onsen) if using natural hot spring water. The experience involves washing before entering the communal bath, and there are specific etiquette rules.
A local, paid public bathing facility, often found in older neighborhoods, with separate sections for men and women.
The standard word for a public bathhouse where you pay an entrance fee. These are common in residential areas and have a nostalgic, community feel.
I look forward to going to the neighborhood public bathhouse on weekends.
A colloquial, friendly term for a public bathhouse, often used by locals or children. Literally 'bath shop'.
A public bathing facility using natural hot spring water, often located in resort areas, ryokan, or as a standalone facility.
The communal bath inside a traditional Japanese inn, often using hot spring water, available for guests.
Referring to public bathhouses from older times, such as Edo period, or in a historical context.
An archaic term for a public bathhouse, often used in historical dramas or literature. Not used in modern daily conversation.
In Japanese public baths, you must wash your body thoroughly before entering the bath. Tattoos may be prohibited in some facilities. Swimsuits are not worn.
Please wash your body first before entering the bathtub.
この銭湯は昔ながらの雰囲気が残っている。
This public bathhouse retains an old-fashioned atmosphere.
When I was a child, I often went to the public bathhouse.
Refers to both the hot spring itself and the bathing facility. Can be indoor or outdoor (露天風呂). Often part of a travel experience.
There are many hot spring baths in Hakone.
I relaxed and soothed my fatigue in the ryokan's hot spring bath.
A hot spring facility that you can visit for the day without staying overnight. Popular for short trips.
I felt refreshed at the day-trip hot spring.
A large-scale public bath facility that often includes various types of baths, saunas, restaurants, and relaxation areas. More like a spa complex.
The super sento is crowded with families.
The large communal bath in a hotel or ryokan. Usually separated by gender and may have scenic views.
You can see the ocean from the large communal bath in this ryokan.
An outdoor bath, often part of a ryokan or onsen facility. Highly prized for the open-air experience.
It's the best to soak in an outdoor bath while watching the snow.
In the Edo period, there were many public bathhouses.
銭湯 (sentō) uses regular heated water and is typically found in urban neighborhoods. 温泉 (onsen) uses natural hot spring water with mineral content and is often in resort areas. Some 銭湯 may use heated tap water but advertise as 温泉 if they add minerals, but true 温泉 must have natural hot spring water.