The art
Recently restored by architect Kentaro Imai, Bunkayokusen (文化浴泉) is what’s known as a designer sento. Concerned about the survival of the sento tradition, Kentaro has become a specialist in renovating public baths, hoping to revive interest – and his efforts are paying off as younger people flock to these more modern baths. Kentaro gives each sento he works on a second life, integrating chic details while preserving the traditional atmosphere – in Bunkayokusen’s case, features such as its remarkable wooden ceiling, mosaic wall and mural of Mt Fuji. The mural was painted by Morio Nakajima, one of only three remaining sento mural painters in Japan, who usually focus on images of Mt Fuji because people like to bathe at the ‘foot’ of the mountain. The murals are called ‘penki-e’, named after the kind of paint used, and usually feature the mountain painted in blue on one side and red on the other.
The facilities
The men’s and women’s baths are slightly different, so they swap sides each day. There are three types of baths – mssage, nanobubble and cold water – and a sauna. The nanobubbles are so small that they penetrate deeply into skin pores and clean them out. Calcium and magnesium are removed from the water to make it softer on the skin. The lobby features a massage chair for extra relaxation.
By Stephanie Crohin
You may have already worked your way through our list of Tokyo's top bath houses, in which case you'll know that sento are popular for their health and relaxation benefits. But did you know many of these public baths feature exquisite artwork too? From the 680 sento in Tokyo, we've selected six of the prettiest so that even if you can't make it to Mt Fuji, you can still bathe at the foot of the sacred peak. While you're at it, read up on onsen etiquette. Some sento are slightly more lenient when it comes to onsen rules like 'no tattoos', but you should still be aware of the basic regulations. And if you're looking for the real deal, read up on our top hot spring getaways and treat yourself to a little bit of onsen luxury.
