Japanese Public Bathing Exposed: The Naked Truth- ONLY in JAPAN

[Zorro]

5. I've probably been to Japan a couple of dozen times over the years

and have enjoyed the communal baths on several of those trips.

One especially memorable adventure was going to the resort town of Uji. I recall after hopping off the train I had to walk across a bridge spanning the river that bisects the city; along the river edge was a hollowed out pool fed by a hot spring, and there were about ten Japanese men, naked as jaybirds, enjoying the waters. Such activities would get one arrested in the US, but it was no big deal to the Japanese strolling across the bridge, who went along their business.

I really really like Japan. It's unfortunate that it has the reputation for being a very expensive tourist destination, because it's a fascinating country and culture.