Use Your Japanese Bathtub As It Is Meant To Be Used

The first time you try a real Japanese bathtub, the experience may be a strange one, especially if you use the bathtub to have a bath in true Japanese-style. You can of course use the tub for bathing in the western style, but to get the full benefit it is usually best to take a look at how bathing is done in Japan and try to copy it so that you get the full experience, not to mention the full benefits of a true soaking tub.

The first thing you'll notice is that the size of a Japanese bathtub is much smaller than the usual western style tub, and if you're not used to it you may feel that your legs are crushed and that there is hardly enough room for you to get into the tub in the first place. However, this is to miss the point, since the whole point of the Japanese bathing experience is not to stretch out but to sit in water that is as deep as possible, and to get the water right up to the neck.

Which brings us on to the second point, which is that the water is much deeper than the usual western style tub, and although the baths are shorter the depth of the water will more than compensate for it. There is something absolutely wonderful about immersing yourself almost totally in hot water, not least of which is the fact that the water will get into every single muscle in your body and leave you feeling totally relaxed.

This brings us on to the third point, which is that a real Japanese bathing experience is one which uses very hot water, and that means water which is much hotter than that used in traditional Western-style bathing. Traditionally, Japanese houses were quite cold in winter, and in that kind of environment having a hot bath in the evening became an essential as much as something to be enjoyed. The good thing about it is that the heat will stay with you for hours, right up until the time you get into bed, so if you happen to live in a house that is on the cold side then a Japanese-style tub could be just what you need. In fact, turning down the heating can be good for your health, and so you could use the heat from the water to actually live in a more healthy environment.

So if you are thinking about buying a Japanese bathtub don't buy it simply to use it like a western tub, but use it as it was made to be used, which means very deep water, and water heated to a temperature that is as hot as you can handle. You will feel absolutely wonderful when you get out with totally relaxed muscles and a body that is packed with heat that will stay with you right up until bedtime.