People often confuse a sentō with an onsen. The difference is actually quite simple. Both are...

One of the first things people notice about a Japanese garden is that it doesn't seem full. ...

Walk into a traditional Japanese sentō and there's a good chance you'll find a huge mural behind...

Spend enough time in Japan and you'll begin to notice cranes everywhere. They appear on folding...

If you've ever visited a Japanese sentō, you may have noticed people enjoying a cold bottle of...

In many parts of the world, moss is something people try to get rid of. In Japan, it's often...

"When I drink tea I am conscious of peace. The cool breath of heaven rises in my sleeves and...

Walk through a Japanese temple garden or along a quiet country road and you'll probably meet a...

One of the first things you'll notice in a Japanese bathhouse is that nobody gets straight into...

People often use the word onsen to describe any Japanese bath. Strictly speaking, that's not...

In most countries, hot water is something we use. In Japan, it's something people make time for. ...

Despite the name, yuzu tea isn't really tea. It isn't made from tea leaves, and it doesn't...

A cold bottle of milk after a bath has become one of the best-known images of Japanese bathing...

Visit Japan in early summer and you'll notice hydrangeas appearing almost everywhere. But some...

One of the most surprising things about a Japanese bathhouse is how quickly you stop thinking...

The most important thing is respect for the people sharing the bath with you. Before entering...

Walk into a traditional Japanese bathhouse, ryokan or temple and there's a good chance you'll...

One of the most common questions visitors ask is whether tattoos are allowed in Japanese...

In Japan, bathing is never quite the same all year round. The water may be hot, but the...

If you visit a Japanese bathhouse around the winter solstice, you may notice bright yellow citrus...