Gaijin bath update: Tonight, at Osaka's Taiyo Hotel, I witnessed a gaijin (probably Filipino) squat next to the furo, dump three bucket of furo water over his head and get in. I see progress. Unlike the Dormy Inn Nagoya, the Taiyou apparently has no ban on tattoos...wow! ...definitely some extensive ink displays.

And FWIW, I met the owner of Japan's finest hotel, today. (or at least what was regarded as Japan's finest hotel until recently)

"Probably Filipino" ... So what?

I'm sensing a racist tone to these "gaijin bathing update" posts. It's not just that I don't like the word "gaijin" .,.. Really, what are you trying to say?

FWIW, the quick abiru and then straight into the bath for a soak is actually an accepted procedure in Japanese public baths. I've lost count of the times I've seen that.

Unfortunately, I've also had quite a few reports back about the temperature acclimatising (as opposed to cleansing) procedure of dousing oneself with a bowl of water or two dredged from the bath before hopping in and allowing one's salt and sweat to rise and mingle with the spreading slick of assorted hair pomades on the water's surface.

The salts, the sweat, the copious quantities of soiled hair oil, all are of 100% Japanese provenance in these reliable accounts.

Thankfully, this isn't something I've ever encountered over on the ladies' side. It also explains why I love bathing in Sento, Onsen as well as Ryokan and other Inns and Hotels with shared facilities and my other half shudders at the thought.

Are you sure he's Japanese? Did you check his serial number?

Onsen survival guide (for those without Japanese dads and uncles)
 

I am Japanese, but that doesn't mean I consider sitting in an onsen that has turned into a "niku jiru" a pleasant experience. There are some tactics in public bathing that we learn from our elders growing up as Japanese men.

1) Bathe at unsocial hours (and check the cleaning times of the bath - don't be the last one in!)
2) If it is at a ryokan and you have a chance to scout out the other guests (best done during dinner time), check what your competition is, numbers, age groups, what hair products do they use, etc. Try also to overhear any group decisions being made about when they plan to bathe. The popular slots are pre-dinner and post-dinner. Avoid these hours unless you want to practise Japanese.
3) Grease and debris float. If there is a water feature, you go there and stay there. The water flowing out will protect you from surface residues.
4)When it's really bad, it turns into niku jiru (when all the sweat and grease mixes with the water to make a stew/stock). You shouldn't really do this but I have taken samples with the bowl to take a closer look. Dip your fingers in and rub, how greasy is it?
5) Water should be flowing over the edge at all times. If it isn't, then what I do is check how wet the rest of the room is. (Actually you can do this in the changing room even before you go in). This will give you some indication of the bathing activity that has occurred recently. If the rest of the room is really wet and most of the shampoos are not neatly put away, then it is highly likely that there has been a 'dantai' (group) in before you and the likelihood of that compromising your experience is quite high.

Of course if you go to a ryokan with an onsen, then your checks should start early. If you see lots of coaches parked outside, then you know there are going to be loads of people. It is not unusual to nonchalantly ask at check in how busy they are - if it coincides with a wedding or a shanai-ryoko, then you have to work that much harder, be that much sneakier!

Japanese people are as filthy and greasy as any other, probably greasier, (helps with our famed "Nihon Gami" so well showcased in the Asiance - is this spelled correctly? - shampoo advert.)

I will only tolerate A+ conditions when I go to onsen. I wouldn't take my clothes off for anything less!

About an hour ago, a Japanese man wished me to "Have a nice day!" then patted me on the butt.

Isn't it a bit early to be lurking around at the はってんば？:D

Thanks to a ksandness' recent post, I learned this is an early morning sport, in Tokyo.

Wow, it's now become a sport !:p:D....Got to hand it to those folks in Tokyo !

I've been reading about Hokkaido University's e3 program. The application (found on this page) asks whether the applicant is a Smoker or Non-smoker followed by e3 supports clean environment.

What's that about?

Dunno. Maybe you should send them your thesis on "gaijin bathing habits".

I highly recommend this video (and photos)
 

Japan - The Moments Between

Amazing. Play with audio on.

http://www.stuckincustoms.com/

kcvt750, thanks for sharing...awesome!

^

Congratulations!
 

I think the bollix thread qualifies one of our members for "Post of the Year". ^