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Tokyo’s Sento Are Opening Their Arms to Foreign Tourists
Tokyo and the Tokyo Sento Association want more tourists (tattooed or otherwise!) to experience this aspect of traditional Japanese culture.
By Marin Akasaka
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Sento Association are promoting the unique appeal of public bathhouses (sento) to international visitors.
From September 1, 2025, 63 bathhouses across Tokyo have earned certification as “inbound-friendly model sento,” marking the launch of the “WELCOME! SENTO” campaign. Running through the end of February 2026, these bathhouses will greet guests under special campaign banners, highlighting the city’s rich bathing culture.
Tokyo’s sento offer a uniquely Japanese experience that has continued since the Edo period. Beyond their cultural value, these baths provide immersive tourism experiences, allowing visitors to enjoy a traditional practice that remains a daily ritual for many Japanese. The campaign promotes Tokyo’s sento through three “WELCOME!” initiatives designed to make the baths accessible, comfortable, and enjoyable for foreign tourists.
