19/12/2024 Ami
I really enjoy taking baths. No matter how tired I am from work, or if I come home after midnight, I always make sure to run the bath and take a moment to say “thank you” to myself for the day. To me, taking a bath is not just about keeping my body clean—it’s also about refreshing my mind and spirit. I remember an iconic line from the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion where Misato says, “A bath is like washing your life.” That line really stuck with me because it captures the feeling of cleansing not just your body but also your thoughts.
Soaking in a bath at around 40°C, with my shoulders submerged, legs stretched out, and letting the buoyancy lighten my body—it’s like my muscles start to relax, and before I know it, my mind becomes lighter too. By the time I step out of the bathroom, I feel completely refreshed, as if a weight has been lifted off me. It’s moments like this that make me realize how connected our minds and bodies really are.
I remember when I first moved to Tokyo for school and lived in a dorm. Back then, I mostly just took showers. Looking back, I feel like I wasn’t taking care of myself as I should have, and I regret that now. But these days, I’ve realized just how important it is to make time for self-care, like a warm bath to unwind.
In Japan, we don’t just have baths in our homes—we also have public bathhouses like sento and onsens, which I think is a wonderful cultural tradition. Each place has its own unique features, and part of the fun is finding your favorite one. Personally, I love the “sauna life” (or sa-katsu), so I’m always happy when a bathhouse has a hot sauna and a 15°C cold plunge pool. I live in Asagaya, and there’s a sento called “Tentoku-sen.” This place taught me what it means to “get in the zone” (or totonou). It used to be an old-fashioned sento, but over time, it’s transformed into a Hawaiian-themed healing space—it’s truly a special place. I won’t spoil all the details, but I highly recommend you experience it for yourself.
By the way, are you feeling like soaking in a bath now too?