7pm in Tokyo - Ofuro

(Japan(105)
Wed 2008/12/24 00:07
"Ofuro" is a bath tub where the Japanese traditionally bathe themselves. The tub is filled with hot water and when one member of the family has finished, the next one comes along and uses the same water. When all members have finished for the day, a cover is put over the tub to keep the water for the next day.

You can just about make out a metal circle thingy in the tub - that heats up the water again on the next day. We only use our tub water once though.

Japanese folks also traditionally get in the tub together with family members too - something you may have been wondering about when watching anime, j drama or commercials.

Many washing machines (like ours) comes with a device (looks like a hose with a knob on the end) that sucks up water from the tub, filters it and reuses the water to wash clothes - most ecological.

More about Ofuro at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofuro

Polls
Posted on Wed 2008/12/24 00:07 by
Danny Choo in Tokyo (Registered on Mon 2006/12/11 12:18)
CEO MIrai Inc
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marvin (Registered on 2006/12/25 00:54)
yes we do use the tub with siblings... when we were 5-8 years old. ^^;
(ID #423310) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:18
kenjiharima in MOE LAND (Registered on 2007/11/29 03:48)
Web Designer, Boxer, StreetFighter, Anime Collector and Gamer
Same here. 
(ID #423311) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:19
marvin (Registered on 2006/12/25 00:54)
just wanted to add, wading in someone else bath water doesn't sound hygienic. but I'm guessing folks there would take a shower first before using the tub.
(ID #423315) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:22
Halconnen in Karlsland (Registered on 2008/11/18 17:19)
Student
Indeed. Afaik you rinse off first. Plus, bathing daily is kind of 'the norm', so Japanese people are kind of 'disinfected' in the first place.

Hygienic problems are a sort of problem that Japan isn't exactly known for.
(ID #423394) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:26
tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20 19:55)
I think that's quite normal as well as parents being in a tub with their young children.
(ID #423318) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:23
sayagila in melbourne, jakarta, denpasar (Registered on 2008/08/18 15:05)
just another something else
yeap... i somewhat recall the similar event happening in the past, if not my memory is fooling around with me...
(ID #423326) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:32
Monkee in Canada (Registered on 2007/02/08 22:14)
Otaku / Student in Computer Science
here too
(ID #423401) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:29
Reyyy in Under the Blue Sky (Registered on 2008/12/21 22:14)
Developing the Distracted Cat
Yep, I recall also the same thing, but that was kinda fun as I with my brother were usually splashing the water around and when mom came in she was like "What the HELL has happened here?!?" lol~ Funny memories ^^
(ID #423587) Posted on 2008/12/24 03:32
tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20 19:55)
Bathing together is natural for all the countries with hot springs that I know of. Maybe the idea behind it is that the town used to have just one hot spring pond and then everybody needed to use that one.

I only know of sharing the bath water in a bath tub from Japan though. It doesn't sound that tempting for me to reuse the water. Some rashes and so on can spread though water.
(ID #423316) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:23
oOgA in Singapore (Registered on 2007/08/29 21:53)
otaku? lol
and some nasty skin diseases
(ID #424426) Posted on 2008/12/25 00:48
giko in Tokyo (Registered on 2008/12/11 17:45)
Student
A bath with Miki?
(ID #423322) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:27
cactaur in despair (Registered on 2008/01/13 20:34)
i like the idea of using shower water for the washing machine. i heard about a device that transfers the water from the washing machine to the flsuh tank too... these are simple ideas that save a lot of water.

and about using the same water for the whole family, that's kinda creepy... i heard that in Japan in a public bath (せんとう) you need to wash yourself before going into the big tub. isn't it the same with home tubs?
(ID #423332) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:34
tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20 19:55)
It's considered rude to go into a tub in Japan if you are dirty. I think they take a shower first if they share water in the tub. At least I read that once.

While sharing the water means that they save water, I'm not sure they save that much (if any) if you include the individual shower for each person.
(ID #423387) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:22
Charten in United States (Registered on 2008/11/18 06:00)
Student/Music Producer/Web Designer
Wow, I didn't know that about the bath tubs there! +1 Brownie point, I learned something on my holiday break!
(ID #423334) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:35
Sabekuji Kaneda in Parañaque, Philippines (Registered on 2008/06/21 21:50)
Mechanical Engineering student
If they use the same water for the whole family then I guess it's ok since they take a shower first before they go in the tub, right?

I just love the fact that Japan is very eco-friendly x_x
(ID #423353) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:51
lerry[maru] in Kuala Lumpur, MY (Registered on 2008/09/15 01:22)
Seleção IX
Exactly how many days is the water kept? ^^; Cos it realy doesn't sound hygienic..
(ID #423355) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:52
eksuterru-kun in Malaysia (Registered on 2008/12/07 13:08)
Programming Student
haha it never sounded hygienic the moment i read "the water is kept for the next day"
but i'm sure they wash themselves clean before entering but still the next day is kinda.....
(ID #423384) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:21
hetarex in japan (Registered on 2008/12/29 17:36)
student
except washing machine 
I never heard that the same water reused next day  
(ID #428375) Posted on 2008/12/29 17:54
6pack (Registered on 2008/03/20 13:55)
[f] 
no bath tubs here. we dont have so much water to waste. we use just a 10 litre bucket to bathe.
i mean take water from the bucket in a small plastic jug and pour it over the body and then soap and rinse and then dry. i'm a guessing a bath tub to be filled to half requires atleast 30-40 litres (7 - 10 gallons) of water.
also i use the water from the washing machine rinse cycle to clean the floors or transfer it to flush tank.
(ID #423358) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:54
Halconnen in Karlsland (Registered on 2008/11/18 17:19)
Student
Actually the average bath is 150-180 liters (in Germany, no idea about Japanese tubs. This is not filled to the brim, but so you can still sit in it and bathe without spilling any), so half-filling them would come to about 75-80 liters.

And yes, European countries have too much water for their own good. =/
(ID #423402) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:30
tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20 19:55)
When I read the first sentence the first thing that came to my mind was "wow. Those Asian people keep getting smaller and smaller whenever I read about their size". Somehow I knew the next part even before I read it, but my first part sounds funnier ^^

I like the concept of using waste water in toilets but it's illegal here. The reason is that incorrectly connected pipes can take dirty water from the toilet to somewhere where people will drink the water. At least that's the official statement. I don't think we can continue to waste water like that in the future though so we will have to live with that risk (which is really small) in the future.
(ID #423410) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:32
Halconnen in Karlsland (Registered on 2008/11/18 17:19)
Student
I don't know where you live, but that reason seems kind of ridiculous.

Stuff that is incorrectly installed can always possibly pose a health and/or safety hazard. Let's make electricity illegal because improper installation could lead to fires or people being electrocuted, too. Lol.

Plus, I don't even see how separate piping that moves waste water into the toilet tank could possibly reintroduce used water into the freshwater supply.

That sounds like someone is for some reason afraid of loosing tax money from reduced water usage.
(ID #423448) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:47
tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20 19:55)
The thing is that people want to use rain water in toilets. This needs a tank, usually under ground since it can be big and it should avoid freezing. They then install a pump and pumps the water to the toilets. This was outlawed because plumbers could mistake a rain water pipe to a toilet as a drinking water pipe and since the rain water is the water that hits the roof, then it's by definition infected by bird droppings.

I can understand the argument here, but if we take it to that level, then we should also ban pipes for radiators and stuff like that. Besides I find it odd that even adding non-drinking water directly to the toilet is outlawed due to this, but sometimes laws ends up being weird.

I'm somewhat sure that this will be changed within a few years because right now the water supply guys talk about lack of water so they have to reduce the quality of the drinking water D:
(ID #423715) Posted on 2008/12/24 07:24
Halconnen in Karlsland (Registered on 2008/11/18 17:19)
Student
A solution to that problem would be either specially marking the non-drinking-water pipes, or proper building plans, I suppose.

Then again, that's a huge can of worms itself. I've never actually seen a building whose power lines and pipes actually match the plans. Yay for drilling holes into cables. (And yay to gloves when drilling.)

I'm drifting rather off-subject here, though. Yes, laws can be very very weird, ridiculous and often nonsense. I don't think there is a country that isn't guilty of any nonsense laws.
(ID #423740) Posted on 2008/12/24 08:21
Raz in this moment and time. (Registered on 2008/09/02 07:05)
BioResearch Assistant
It's definitely nice to see that level of conservation of resources. 

At the same time though it doesn't sound very appealing to reuse water someone else bathed in. It's not very hygienic like others have said since the bacteria on your body are now in the water for someone else to immerse themselves in. Even if the water is heated some bacteria thrive in warmer temperatures so you're not effectively killing all of them. Leaving the water overnight stagnant just provides a breeding ground for that bacteria. Chances of infection increase. 

But as it reads some units actually filter and constantly reheat the water so it's definitely better.

It sounds just like a hot tub. However I always take a quick shower after going in one if I'm in it with somebody else, especially in public units.
(ID #423359) Posted on 2008/12/24 00:55
Halconnen in Karlsland (Registered on 2008/11/18 17:19)
Student
Well. The bath additives they use over there likely have some kind of anti-bacterial effect to them (and give water a funny color).

And yes, any warm water temperature that a human is comfortably sitting in is prime breeding temperature for the bacteria that prefer human body warmth (e.g. most of the health-hazard ones).

I don't really mind the water-sharing, but keeping the bathwater overnight is what somehow creeps me out about that custom, too.
(ID #423420) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:34
Raz in this moment and time. (Registered on 2008/09/02 07:05)
BioResearch Assistant
Ah, that's good to hear about the anti-bacterial additives. Hopefully they don't develop resistance (>xx)> Oh, no!
(ID #423428) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:37
tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20 19:55)
Actually anti-bacterial additives shouldn't be used unless it can't be avoided because of the resistance issue. The same goes for antibiotics. The current system makes it up to each person to ensure that stuff like that is used correctly to avoid resistance, but we all know that somebody will use that stuff incorrectly so just handing out that stuff to everybody is a pretty bad idea >.<
(ID #423716) Posted on 2008/12/24 07:27
keats in NL (Registered on 2007/09/02 21:54)
Eternal Dreamer
I don't have a tub, I shower for 15 to 20 minutes (depends if I shave or not).
(ID #423370) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:09
aquilla in The United Kingdom (Registered on 2008/10/23 04:56)
Unemployed Dollfie enthusiast
Why is the bath water pink?O__O
(ID #423371) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:10
Raz in this moment and time. (Registered on 2008/09/02 07:05)
BioResearch Assistant
A lot of bacteria species are pigmented...(>oo)>
(ID #423385) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:21
eksuterru-kun in Malaysia (Registered on 2008/12/07 13:08)
Programming Student
probably bcos danny just showered? hahaha just a guess.
but i've always see the water in j dramas green in colour, did they put something?
(ID #423391) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:25
lerry[maru] in Kuala Lumpur, MY (Registered on 2008/09/15 01:22)
Seleção IX
If you watched Hidamari Sketch, they put a soap thingy that dissolves in the water, colouring the water and giving it a nice fragrance.
(ID #423405) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:30
eksuterru-kun in Malaysia (Registered on 2008/12/07 13:08)
Programming Student
ah that explains it
(ID #423411) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:32
Halconnen in Karlsland (Registered on 2008/11/18 17:19)
Student
This actually confuses me. I assumed everyone that actually bathes instead of showering uses bath additives. Most of which tend to give water a funny color.

Or are just Germans and Japanese that silly and everyone else just bathes in warm water? I somehow can't imagine that. O_o
(ID #423426) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:36
eksuterru-kun in Malaysia (Registered on 2008/12/07 13:08)
Programming Student
i dunno but most households here as far as i know don't put those additives.
rather we put bubble bath, soap that doesn't exactly colour the water so concentrated.
(ID #423438) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:44
tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20 19:55)
I just use warm water. I would find it weird to add chemicals to the water (apart from soap, that is)
(ID #423717) Posted on 2008/12/24 07:28
aquilla in The United Kingdom (Registered on 2008/10/23 04:56)
Unemployed Dollfie enthusiast
I think I get it. Thats weird though. In England we don't have things like that. We get bubble bath, but it doesn't colour the water, just add nice relaxing bubbles.
(ID #424715) Posted on 2008/12/25 10:55
Neutrinos in Singapore (Registered on 2008/03/25 11:36)
Engineering research
been scrubbing the blood off the tub, i suppose. ahem...
(ID #436599) Posted on 2009/01/06 00:24
Mark Rowberry in Tewkesbury, England, United Kingdom (Registered on 2008/11/12 06:09)
Artist
Me and my siblings would share a bath when we were very young.
(ID #423380) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:19
Okita in Germany (Registered on 2008/10/28 12:16)
Student & Game Designer
"most ecological." - enough said =D

But one of the things I will enjoy in japan are those big open gender mixed ofuros =D

I also like japanese baths, like the whole room is like a western shower and you can use the full room - you know, kinda cool =)
(ID #423404) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:30
Macrossfan2 in m (Registered on 2008/08/13 06:34)
m
used to bathe with siblings.  Now Bathe with hot wife.
(ID #423409) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:32
tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20 19:55)
that saves water... just remember that you are there to bath or you risk ending up wasting water ^^;
(ID #423416) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:34
Halconnen in Karlsland (Registered on 2008/11/18 17:19)
Student
Yuck. Indeedy. Sticky stuff is sticky, bathwater or not.
(ID #423430) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:37
Raz in this moment and time. (Registered on 2008/09/02 07:05)
BioResearch Assistant
Question. Would/does anyone take a shower/bath with their loved one? A girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, or wife?

(ID #423421) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:34
Hamu-Sumo in Germany (Registered on 2008/10/13 04:03)
Student in Internet-based Systems
Sure, why not?
(ID #423476) Posted on 2008/12/24 02:04
bolt in Tampa Fl. (Registered on 2007/04/17 16:05)
security/3d graphic artist
yes i do... when we each need to take a shower.. doesn't happen everyday
(ID #423836) Posted on 2008/12/24 10:32
Lelouch Lamperouge in ClovisLand (Registered on 2008/08/21 07:05)
former Emperor of Britannia
When we are still little yes...
But as we grew older no... 
XD
(ID #423423) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:35
the great paul in Brooklyn, New York (Registered on 2008/03/14 10:14)
Extremely Poor College Student
[f] 
so is there a reason why the water looks red and oily
(ID #423435) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:43
eksuterru-kun in Malaysia (Registered on 2008/12/07 13:08)
Programming Student
i am guessing someone (danny maybe) just used it.
hope i'm not offending you danny.
(ID #423445) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:46
Xcomp in Loch Ness Monster Land (Registered on 2008/12/02 01:30)
Student
There are lots of different "hot spring" and bath powders available that supposedly helps one relax. They come in all sorts of colours - blue, pink, yellow, orange etc. This one's already very light... With the one I tried before, you couldn't even see the bottom of the bath tub =P
(ID #423577) Posted on 2008/12/24 03:25
KyokoHunter in UK (Registered on 2008/06/08 21:26)
Civil Servant
I suspect it may have something to do with that thing fizzing in the middle of the bath - guessing Danny likes bath salts?
(ID #423641) Posted on 2008/12/24 04:48
Xcomp in Loch Ness Monster Land (Registered on 2008/12/02 01:30)
Student
Yup, the bath water supplements come in tablet form too. Fun watching them fizz away as they desolve actually...
(ID #424109) Posted on 2008/12/24 17:06
Ekowc in Finland (Registered on 2007/07/15 18:25)
Ordinary soul (student)
We usually go to Sauna together with family/friends.
Well, Sauna is not Ofuro but both have high temperature.
(ID #423463) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:56
tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20 19:55)
Finland is known for saunas. Some people here finds it odd that both genders can be in there at the same time and it's not even an ecchi issue that everybody are naked. I think people here put a towel around their privates, but I'm not sure. I'm not a big fan of saunas... too hot for me.

Once a Finnish guy told me about a group of young people in a sauna. One guy couldn't keep his hands off one of the girls and didn't care for the warnings. The result was that the guys grapped him and kicked him out of the house while his cloth were still inside. Now he had the long walk home to get some other cloth (5 km or something). Looks like you guys really don't want ecchi stuff going on in there ^^
(ID #423725) Posted on 2008/12/24 07:38
Syranide in England (Registered on 2008/04/13 04:37)
Media Student
Sounds a bit dirty to me.
(ID #423466) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:58
potatochobit in Dallas, TX (Registered on 2008/08/18 18:43)
So, uh...
there is a filter you have to change which contains everything from the dirty bath water? :x
(ID #423469) Posted on 2008/12/24 01:59
Harts in Estonia (Registered on 2008/06/02 15:38)
Student
>Do folks traditionally get into the bath tub together in your region
When I was little we didn't have a water pump or water heater so we used to reuse bathwater. But as we got a water pump (we have our own well) we are not so conservative with water anymore.
(ID #423544) Posted on 2008/12/24 02:55
oniichan! in ROC NY (Registered on 2008/06/21 01:03)
Engineering and Sales
The tub is not used for cleaning one's self but for relaxing in nice hot water. You soap and rinse before you get in the tub. Europe and Asia seems to be very popular with taking baths while in America almost nobody does. I know a lot of new houses just put in large showers with multiple shower heads instead of bath tubs! 
(ID #423553) Posted on 2008/12/24 03:02
Mimi in self destruction (Registered on 2008/03/11 08:31)
Mimi
Dude me and my sister used to bathe together all the time, my family even bought a water heater to put on our tub so members could reuse the water. But that was a long time ago. Nowadays, the water is reused by washing the dogs afterward. 
(ID #423584) Posted on 2008/12/24 03:29
Xcomp in Loch Ness Monster Land (Registered on 2008/12/02 01:30)
Student
Never knew about using the same water thing... Doesn't sound very hygenic even if you do clean yourself first.
(ID #423588) Posted on 2008/12/24 03:33
chun in need to be in bed (Registered on 2007/01/09 15:45)
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
I remember being bathed with my sis or my cousin before, does that count? It was funny when I cried that I don't have a dolphin tho ^^;;;;; LOL
ahem anyways I can't soak in hot baths, I'll pass out after :P
(ID #423589) Posted on 2008/12/24 03:35
tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20 19:55)
That is the first time ever that I have seen any evidence that Freud's "dolphin envy" theory could be true. However I think the reason in this case isn't what Freud was thinking.
(ID #423726) Posted on 2008/12/24 07:41
Halconnen in Karlsland (Registered on 2008/11/18 17:19)
Student
My sides are killing me now.
(ID #423742) Posted on 2008/12/24 08:24
meronpan in カリフォルニア (Registered on 2007/12/30 08:38)
software manager
i knew that they didn't change the water between family members... but day to day??  how many days is the water typically recycled? or have i missed danny sarcasm? ^^;;
(ID #423600) Posted on 2008/12/24 03:47
soonkiong in Malaysia (Registered on 2007/08/22 14:02)
soon-to-be 2nd year Civil Engineering student
I don't even have a tub back home. I think it was removed since we don't really use it much. I guess we preferred quick showers instead of time consuming ones. ^^;;
(ID #423613) Posted on 2008/12/24 04:01
Akiba-Kid in California, USA (Registered on 2008/01/17 12:47)
Online Shop
Used public bath with my family when I was little but not anymore ^^;
(ID #423621) Posted on 2008/12/24 04:10
Tasche in Vancouver, BC (Registered on 2008/11/03 17:46)
Student of Geography and Asian Studies
i duno... looks like a perfect place to contract diseases and viruses.
(ID #423636) Posted on 2008/12/24 04:40
Draz in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Registered on 2008/07/14 06:35)
Application Developer
I share with the misses every now and then for the romantic atmosphere it provides ^^
(ID #423644) Posted on 2008/12/24 04:58
Kyle in Seattle, Washington (Registered on 2007/10/08 06:32)
Student/Part-timer
Well, when I was staying with friends in Japan, this is what we would do. I pretty much never took a shower because I loved it so much. It's just so relaxing and refreshing. If I ever go back to Japan, I'm totally just gonna take baths, no showers. :D
Anyways, in America, no one really takes baths that much. Everyone in my household takes showers because it saves water/gas/electricity/time/etc.
(ID #423670) Posted on 2008/12/24 05:42
Streetpilot1 in Philadelphia, USA (Registered on 2008/04/02 09:03)
Limousine Driver
If your sharing a bathtub in America it's because your either under 5 years old or over 18.
(ID #423693) Posted on 2008/12/24 06:42
Grashalm in Federal City, Germany (Registered on 2008/12/07 22:06)
Bathing with sibling(s) is quite common.
The only additives I know are bubbles~
But nowadays I don't bathe because the tubs are way too small, not to mention japanese tubs *sigh*
(yay, first post after lurking for 1 year)
(ID #423696) Posted on 2008/12/24 06:50
Nikukai in Kansas - USA (Registered on 2008/10/14 17:12)
カタイ-ガクセイ
I used to bathe with my best friend all the time. Till we were like 13 or 14 and her dad stopped letting us cause he thought it was weird. >_>
Two girls in a bath tub, oh noes!

But, seriously, the Japanese are so inventive! Sucking up the water and using it to wash clothes. In America I'm sure people would think that's 'unsanitary'. Probably why we're running out of water, cause we waste too friggin' much.
(ID #423703) Posted on 2008/12/24 07:01
Abi-kun in Poland (Registered on 2008/01/07 06:18)
proud (currently) unemployed PhD :P
I don't know about antibacterial additives but I heard that containing water with soap is a big no-no in Japan. The other thing, baths in Japan are not for washing, they are for soaking and relaxing your body after hard day's work ^^. 
(ID #423712) Posted on 2008/12/24 07:17
Abi-kun in Poland (Registered on 2008/01/07 06:18)
proud (currently) unemployed PhD :P
I mean contamining not containing... m(_-_)m.
(ID #423713) Posted on 2008/12/24 07:23
Cyberchaos in Australia, Sydney (Registered on 2008/02/17 20:43)
AdvDip Network Security - CCNA - Ironport - Security+
Danny, when are you going to do an onsen review?
(ID #423738) Posted on 2008/12/24 08:16
supercoqui in Japan (Registered on 2008/11/26 08:17)
Application Engineer, Information Security
Hmm... I second that! I am a fan of onsens but always wonder which ones are more recommended and why.
(ID #423770) Posted on 2008/12/24 08:57
tymmur in his top secret nuclear bunker (Registered on 2008/01/20 19:55)
He already did http://www.dannychoo.com/adp/eng/1435/Onsen.html

I wouldn't mind getting even more information about how they actually work though.
(ID #424647) Posted on 2008/12/25 08:46
mavadotar in Peterborough, Canada (Registered on 2007/12/11 20:38)
Otaku Security Guard
You only really bathe with other people when you're a kid here, and then usually with other kid in you're family.
(ID #423748) Posted on 2008/12/24 08:37
technonewt in Southern Oregon, United States (Registered on 2007/11/02 12:53)
College Student
These are the kind of custum/cultural things I wish Danny would post more of. 
(ID #423753) Posted on 2008/12/24 08:46
Streetpilot1 in Philadelphia, USA (Registered on 2008/04/02 09:03)
Limousine Driver
Second!
(ID #425561) Posted on 2008/12/26 08:33
thechevron in Scotland not Britain (Registered on 2008/09/29 00:21)
"You can just about make out a metal circle thingy in the tub - that heats up the water again on the next day. We only use our tub water once though.
"
this bit doesn't make sense, if you aren't using it again why is it heated up the next day?
(ID #423754) Posted on 2008/12/24 08:46
supercoqui in Japan (Registered on 2008/11/26 08:17)
Application Engineer, Information Security
He meant that you are able to heat it up again the next day, but in regards to his tub he has only used it once.
(ID #423766) Posted on 2008/12/24 08:56
thechevron in Scotland not Britain (Registered on 2008/09/29 00:21)
ah right, thanks
(ID #424400) Posted on 2008/12/25 00:03
supercoqui in Japan (Registered on 2008/11/26 08:17)
Application Engineer, Information Security
I look at the one at my apato and wonder how a whole family fits there.... I mean, you might get one person submerged in there.
(ID #423763) Posted on 2008/12/24 08:55
pipopaz in US (Registered on 2008/08/26 22:20)
thousand master II
too bad the culture has turn us this way...bathing individually
(ID #423773) Posted on 2008/12/24 09:00
manga in Sydney (Registered on 2008/06/27 08:45)
Student
my japanese teacher told me of his ofuro experiences. Old skin floating around in the water =/
(ID #423796) Posted on 2008/12/24 09:48
Kilkrazy in London (Registered on 2008/04/18 03:31)
Producer
The way a Japanese bath works is this. First you shower yourself, sitting down -- at this stage soap is optional. Then you go in the tub to warm up,  or you soap yourself. Then you wash/rinse yourself outside the tub. Finally you go in the tub for a good hot soak. So the tub water doesn't get dirty or soapy because you never go in it with soap on your body.

The Japanese wash themselves sitting down on small stools. It is considered rude to shower or wash standing up. To wash your behind properly, you squat on your heels.

The water heater in a modern Japanese house recycles the hot water in the tub and reheats it to maintain the set temperature. In my mother-in-law's house (in Japan,) the tap water is set to 39 centigrade and the bath to 43. We empty the bath every day and refill with fresh water. There are five people staying here at the moment and we all use the same water.

The order of entering the bath is based on social precedence. As I am the oldest man and a guest, I go first. I share the bath with my daughter who is 9 years old so she is not allowed to bath by herself. Next is either my brother-in-law or mother-in-law, then finally, my wife. (Ha, ha!) In the olden days she would get the coldest water but modern technology means nowadays she just gets a later bath.

Bathing at an onsen -- a volcanic hot spa -- is very similar, except the rooms and baths are very large and there is room for 10 people or more at a time. There are usually two or three pools at different temperatures and the proper volcanic onsen will often have a smell of sulphur gas.

If you are not shy, bathing at an onsen is a brilliant experience. I highly recommend all visitors to Japan to try it. There are separate baths for men and women. It is like visiting a self-service spa. You can spend as long as you like and get super-clean and relaxed. If you are staying in an onsen hotel, you can go in the morning and in the evening.

It is possible to hire private "rotenburo" where mixed bathing is allowed. These are like small onsen or large family baths.

Japan also has public bathhouses. I have never been to one and I would like to try it.
(ID #423799) Posted on 2008/12/24 09:51
Shockerz in Malaysia (Registered on 2008/10/12 22:34)
Student
That sound really interesting indeed! In my country they don't even have this kind of system. 
(ID #424128) Posted on 2008/12/24 17:43
ClearTranquil in Vancouver, BC - Canada (Registered on 2008/06/20 08:51)
Student // Collector // Gaijin
Used to bathe with my brother when we were little kids...I don't recall ever bathing with either of my parents. The idea of getting into used bath water despite rinsing is still gross.

However, I do admit I hardly ever shower. I'm a bath person. I wake up, and I get in the tub. It helps me wake up and soothes a stiff back (I sleep in weird positions).
(ID #423802) Posted on 2008/12/24 09:56
Andrei-kun in California, USA (Registered on 2008/10/23 16:11)
Student
We bathe one person per bathroom in our family. Maybe getting old give you creeps automatically whenever washing body together is conversed or planned. XD
(ID #423845) Posted on 2008/12/24 10:40
Setsukyie in Malaysia (Registered on 2008/01/05 13:14)
Student during the day, otaku at night, and amateur musician ^_^
Used to bath with my sister when I was 6 - 8.
And oh yea, I'm a boy...>_<
(ID #423846) Posted on 2008/12/24 10:41
Aoshimaro in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Registered on 2008/08/12 11:29)
Don't worry mate, i used to do that when i was little too.
(ID #424641) Posted on 2008/12/25 08:37
memoriesoffaddict in CA (Registered on 2008/10/30 15:54)
University Student
Yap, i remember the time where my brother and i used to fill the tub with little water and take turns splashing and rolling in it like how they kill fresh pigs with hot water at those (forgot name) places-it's one of those places where you buy a live pig and they kill it for you and you do the rest, slicing its guts,spleen, and pen....sorry for the rambling.
(ID #423888) Posted on 2008/12/24 11:28
Hidden Oasis in California, United Sates (Registered on 2008/10/28 13:51)
College Freshmen
We don't even take baths anymore. Now we just shower. It could actually waste more water that way though.
(ID #423904) Posted on 2008/12/24 11:45
silent1134 in Los Angeles, California (Registered on 2007/08/22 15:45)
???Confused???
Haven't done something like that since I was like 4 years old...
(ID #423926) Posted on 2008/12/24 12:50
amasero in usa, maryland (Registered on 2008/05/14 05:47)
anime junky :3
yea i haven't taken a BATH since i was a child, showers are the norm here. though it would be nice to have a bath with all this cold weather..
(ID #423983) Posted on 2008/12/24 13:59
うちは サスケ in Bulgaria (Registered on 2008/10/22 09:32)
Student
 We do have a bath but we don't fill it up. We use the shower. I remember when I was young my mama was bathing me in a big deep green basin. She had the habit of polishing my bones till they sparkle! THE PAIN!! 
 I remember that long ago I wanted to just try that basin. No dice! I almost got stick in it! Hahaha!!


   P.S. Everytime I step in the bath I think of the worst possible scenario - me slipping and breaking my head somewhere! Dangerous it is! 
(ID #424372) Posted on 2008/12/24 22:53
swirljem in Shanghai (Registered on 2008/12/17 04:18)
Technical Sales
I was staying in a hotel that day.  Housekeeping left a brochure introducing Ofuro, with some Citrius fruit in a net for the hot tub.  Hot citrius bath wasn't a bad idea after a long day, but for a visitor this had not much to do with Ofuro >_<
(ID #424500) Posted on 2008/12/25 02:31
lostandfound in Singapore (Registered on 2007/10/22 03:22)
Part trooper, part -timer, 100% loser...
If only bathing together was the norm here^^;...
(ID #424517) Posted on 2008/12/25 03:19
tintin-san in シンガポオル Singapore (Registered on 2008/05/12 02:27)
大学生
Isn't it unhygenic?
(ID #424540) Posted on 2008/12/25 03:55
leofoe in Dreamland (Registered on 2008/02/08 23:43)
Student
This is really interesting~ :D didnt know ofuro is actually more then meets the eye.
(ID #425147) Posted on 2008/12/25 19:25
XSportSeeker in Brazil (Registered on 2007/08/22 06:42)
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
Since I'm japanese decendant, when I was a kid, I used to take baths with my parents... when I was a little older (still bellow 10), I took baths with my father only.

I remember this well because he used to ask math questions while we were taking a bath. :P

But as I grew up, baths became rare till they just stopped.

First because I grew up, the tub wouldn't fit more than one person at a time.
Second, the climate became too hot. Even on winters, it was too rare to have a weather cold enough.
Third, it's too hard to clean it. It was not exactly an ofuro... more like a large bathtub.
My mom got a job again (she became a housewife after I was born), and there was no time for it anymore.

But like I already said on many posts, one of the things I enjoyed the most in my trip to Japan was the onsens.... which in a way, are kinda like a huge ofuro. xD
(ID #425514) Posted on 2008/12/26 06:48
aggitan in USA (Registered on 2008/04/08 19:09)
Network Engineer
I take it to the next level by simply not taking a bath for weeks on end. This solves the problem of water usage and saves me time.
(ID #425791) Posted on 2008/12/26 13:53
Doragon in Finland (Registered on 2009/04/07 00:12)
We don't have bath tube here, but we have a sauna which we use ~twice a week. There we sit together and enjoy the löyly.
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