On a recent concert tour in Japan, I had the chance to visit several thermal baths and to chat with people about the tradition of bathing. I was fascinated by their differences with American spas.

In Japan, bathing is more than just a way to get clean—it’s an ancient tradition elevated to an art form. Long regarded as both a physical and spiritual experience, communal bathing has historically ...

Japanese onsens, or hot springs, are a quintessential experience for anyone visiting Japan . However, these natural baths ...

Sizzling street food aromas filled the sultry night air in the maze of narrow streets as raindrops fell like liquid crystals, casting a shimmering glow on the wet asphalt which reflected the vibrant ...

Daikokuyu bathhouse in Tokyo, a place of ‘naked communion’ (Washington Post/Taro Karibe) For almost 75 years, Tokyo’s Daikokuyu has been a community establishment where locals strip off, wash away the ...

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. For many, sento are still a vital part of daily life in Japan, each governed by a strict set of customs. For ...

The Japanese yesterday proved that they won't let earthquakes, a tsunami, and an ongoing level-7 nuclear crisis get them down - by building a communal bath in the middle of the devastation. The ...