Archive for October, 2006

The public baths that used to be found on every block in Japan is getting more and more scarce. Instead of these small and simple places to wash and soak in a tub there is now more larger “spa” style of baths being built. These larger places offer a wider range of services like massage, ten different style baths, restaurant, video games and more. But they lack the old fashioned style and intimacy that the old school places have, and more there is no Yakuza Mafia there.

Unlike the “onsen” the local “sento” is just a place to get yourself clean. Dates back to the day before people had bathrooms at home. The sento is also a place to hang out and make small talk. Maybe this is why they are popular with the yakuza. Another reason could be that this is an ideal place for the yakuza to flash their tattoos. Many places let the customers know that they don’t allow people with tattoos to enter. A not so subtle way of saying “no yakuza please”. Read the rest of this entry »

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