If a sentō is your local neighbourhood bathhouse, a super sentō is somewhere people often travel to spend an afternoon or even an entire day.

First appearing in Japan during the 1980s, super sentō combine large communal baths with a wider range of facilities. Alongside indoor and outdoor baths, you might find several different saunas, cold plunge pools, relaxation lounges, restaurants, massage treatments and quiet places to read or sleep.

Many also feature baths with different temperatures, mineral compositions or seasonal themes, giving visitors plenty of reasons to linger a little longer.

Despite the name, a super sentō isn't necessarily more luxurious than a traditional sentō. It's simply larger and offers more choice. While a neighbourhood sentō is woven into everyday life, a super sentō is more likely to be somewhere people visit for a relaxing day out.

Today, both continue to play an important role in Japanese bathing culture, offering different experiences but sharing the same appreciation for hot water, relaxation and taking time to slow down.

There's more to Japanese bathhouses than hot water

Join the Yū mailing list to discover the traditions, stories and design ideas shaping Britain's first Japanese-inspired bathhouse.