In Japan, bathing has long been associated with journeys as well as destinations.

For centuries, pilgrims travelling to sacred mountains, temples and shrines would often wash before worship as an act of purification. Along the way, hot springs and public baths offered somewhere to rest tired bodies, recover after long days on foot and prepare for the next stage of the journey.

The relationship between bathing and pilgrimage was both practical and symbolic. Hot water soothed aching muscles, while washing carried a deeper sense of leaving behind the concerns of everyday life before entering a sacred place.

Even today, many of Japan's best-known pilgrimage routes pass through hot spring towns. Whether climbing Mount Fuji, walking the Kumano Kodō or visiting temples across the country, a restorative bath remains part of the experience for many travellers.

Perhaps that is why bathing in Japan often feels like more than simply getting clean. It marks a pause between one part of a journey and the next, offering a chance to rest, reflect and begin again.

Japanese bathing is about more than hot water.

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