I pass this sento (public bath house) every day when cycling to and from work. It's a very cunning bath house because to the left and right of the entrance you have two little coin laundrettes - makes sense really as they have a huge boiler on site anyway, so doesn't cost them much more to run the washing machines (although come to think of it, most of them in Japan only use cold water...)
It's been a long time since I've been to a sento or onsen (natural hot spring). Despite most apartments now having their own bathrooms, you'll still find some without. Of course, sometimes it's just nice to relax in a big bath, as opposed to one like ours: due to it being a traditional cube-shaped plastic tub you can only fit in if you pull your legs right up to your body and tuck your legs under your chin.
Can't imagine having public baths in the UK - most people are too prunish to show their bits in public.
How about you? Have you been to a sento or onsen? How do you feel about dazzling the world with your glorious naked figure?
Joseph
(the picture is slightly warped as it's three photos stiched together by the iPhone)
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