With a population of nearly 30 million people and districts like Shibuya and Shinjuku buzzing deep into the night, Tokyo doesn’t seem like the obvious place to slow down. Yet in the heart of the city lies one of the best ways to reset: the neighborhood sento, or public bathhouse.

Often associated with older generations, sento have long been woven into the fabric of daily life. Recently, they’ve been quietly revitalizing across Tokyo, modernizing facilities to welcome younger bathers and international visitors while preserving their retro charm.

If the unwritten sento etiquette feels intimidating, you’re not alone. This Tokyo sento guide makes it easy: we’ll cover what a sento is (and how it differs from an onsen), simple sento etiquette, and our favorite sento across Tokyo.

What are Sento?

Sento are neighborhood public bathhouses, the kind you’ll find tucked into residential streets throughout Tokyo. Traditionally, they were essential for daily life when many homes didn’t have private baths, but today they’ve become an essential self-care ritual for many. Most sento are local and no-frills in the best way - pay a modest fee, wash thoroughly, soak, and leave feeling reset.

Additionally, “super sento” takes the same idea of a sento and expands on it. Super sento are multi story complexes with floors of bathing areas, restaurants, and more so you can spend your entire day relaxing instead of just a few hours.

The History of Sento in Tokyo

Bathing culture in Japan goes back centuries, but Tokyo’s sento story becomes clearer once you go back to the Edo period. The first public bathhouse in Tokyo was founded in 1591 by Ise Yoichi, and bathhouses spread quickly after that.

Sento remained an essential part of daily life well into the late 20th century, as most homes did not have their own dedicated bathing facilities. Bathhouses were not only a place to get clean. They functioned as neighborhood hubs, where you could catch up with neighbors as naturally as you’d bump into someone at the corner store.

By 1968 more than 2,600 sento were spread across the city. This number began to gradually decline as showers and bathing areas became commonplace , with only 430 sento left in Tokyo in 2024.

The remaining bathhouses are no longer purely utilitarian, they’ve evolved into relaxing spaces with thoughtful design, saunas, cold plunges, and even post-bath refreshments without losing the neighborhood warmth that make them special.

How Sento Differ from Onsen

The simplest difference between a sento and an onsen is the water source. Onsen use water that qualifies as a hot spring under Japan’s Hot Springs Act (based on temperature and/or mineral content), while sento generally use heated tap water.

Because onsen are tied to specific hot spring sources, the water itself can vary dramatically from place to place. For example, Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma is famous for it's sulfur filled water which gives it a very different feel (and smell) than a standard city bath.

The atmosphere tends to differ, too. Onsen are often part of hot spring towns where your dip is often paired with a ryokan stay. Sento, on the other hand, are woven into everyday city life and are easy to visit spontaneously, no train transfers or overnight bags required.

Sento Pro Tips: Important Etiquette You Should Know

Sento etiquette looks strict and a bit confusing from the outside, but it’s mostly about one thing: keeping shared bathwater clean. Here is a simple “do this, not that” checklist to make sure your first visit to a sento goes as smoothly as possible:

What to Do:

• Take off your shoes at the entrance and place them in the shoe locker. (Keep the key with you.)

• Pay before entering. Some sento use a ticket machine; others have an attendant at reception. They will also sometimes take your shoe locker key to return to you after bathing.

  
  

• Get naked! Yes, everyone here will be naked - no large towels, bathing suits, or underwear allowed.

  
  

• Wash your body thoroughly before you soak. Sit at a washing station and rinse your body well (using soap!) before entering the shared baths.

  
  

• Bring your preferred toiletries. Many sento will have basic toiletries, but it’s also fine to bring your own shampoo or skincare if you have favorites.

• Stay hydrated. Drink water before/after, and if you bring a bottle, keep it in the designated area outside the bath rather than beside the tubs.

What NOT to Do:

• Don’t put your small towel in the bathwater. Set it on your head or on the side of the bath.

• Don’t take photos in the bathing area. As stunning as some of these bathing areas can be, it’s a safe rule not to take photos anywhere people are naked.

• Don't go overboard. If you’re new to hot baths or saunas, start with short soaks and take breaks as needed.

• Get in the cold plunge without washing your body. Wash off your sweat from the sauna before dipping in the cold bath.

The Art of “Totonou”

If you’ve explored Japan’s modern sento culture, you may have heard the phrase “totonou” (ととのう). In sauna and bathhouse settings, it describes that clear, deeply relaxed “reset” feeling people often get after alternating heat, cold, and rest.

Facilities like Shibuya SAUNAS, mentioned later, even describe themselves as creating an exceptional “totonoi” (reset) space for customers. So how do you aim for totonou? Follow this simple flow:

1. Warm up in the sauna or hot bath. Warning: don’t overdo it- if you feel uncomfortably hot or lightheaded you should step out. If this is you're first time, one to five minutes is perfectly fine!

1. Cool down with a cold plunge. For beginners even a few seconds will feel refreshing.

2. Take a rest. Most sento will have recliners or relaxation spaces built into the bathing area to feel the effects of totonou.

3. Hop into the warm bath. Make sure that the water goes above your shoulders so you can fully warm your body.

Many regulars repeat the cycle two or three times, but it’s not a rule. To finish, rinse, get dressed, and treat yourself to the classic post-bath ritual - a glass bottle of cold milk from the vending machine or a cold glass of beer!

Our Top Tokyo Sento Picks

Koganeyu (Kinshicho)

Koganeyu is a public bathhouse in Kinshicho, Sumida-ku operating since 1932.

This humble sento was renovated in 2020 with a design-forward, modern focus in mind.

Koganeyu is best known for its bar-style entrance area and rooftop restaurant with a rotating selection of craft beers for after your dip while listening to mixes from an in-house DJ.

The bathing areas include two warm baths, cold plunges, and sauna rooms. The men’s bathing area includes a large outdoor bath and rest area.

The men’s and women’s baths are switched every Wednesday so women have a chance to experience the outdoor area. Koganeyu is just a short train ride away from the Tokyo Skytree and an under 30-minute train ride from Shibuya station. They are also tattoo friendly.

For more information, visit their English site.

Kotobukiyu (Ueno)

Located in the bustling Ueno neighborhood, Kotobukiyu perfectly captures the nostalgia of old Tokyo. Couple that with easy access, lots of locals, and plenty of amenities and bathing options, like an open-air bath, herb bath, and sauna and you’ve got one of Tokyo's most charming bathhouses!

For more information, including hours visit their google maps page.

Daikokuyu (Oshiage- Sky Tree)

Daikokuyu is a tattoo-friendly sento run by the same owners of Koganeyu.

This sento brings serious range. Expect to find multiple open-air baths, sauanas, and relaxation areas with full views of Tokyo Skytree. Daikokuyu has a friendly, neighborhood atmosphere that is open well past midnight. If you only go to one sento in Tokyo, choose this one!

For more information, including operating hours, visit their English site, here.

Kosugiyu Harakado (Harajuku)

After shopping in Harajuku, Tokyo's kawaii capital, head to the basement of the neighborhood's flashiest new shopping center- Harakado.

This hidden underground sento replicates authentic retro-style sento found in Tokyo’s shitamachi downtown neighborhoods like Ueno and Kinshicho.

For hours and more information, visit their google maps page.

Honorable Mention: Shibuya SAUNAS (Shibuya)

While not a sento, Shibuya SAUNAS is the place to go when you want a modern, curated sauna experience right in the middle of the city.

It’s reservation-free, a short walk from Shibuya Station, and designed around the idea of alternating sauna rooms and rest time in a space that feels calm and intentional. Shibuya SAUNAS is also tattoo-friendly and has a fully-vegan restaurant which makes it an easy choice for international visitors.

For hours and more information, visit their English site.

Commonly Asked Questions: A Tokyo Sento Guide FAQ

Q: Can I go to a sento if I have tattoos?

A: It depends on the facility. Many sento are more flexible than onsen, but policies vary, so check the official site or ask at the front desk. Koganeyu, Daikokuyu, and Shibuya SAUNAS mentioned above are all tattoo friendly.

Q: How much does it cost to go to a sento?

A: In Tokyo, the standard adult entrance fee for most sento is ¥550, with extra charges for things like sauna access or towel rentals.

Q: Is there anything I need to bring with me to a sento?

A: Bring a small towel and your toiletries if you prefer your own. If you forget, all sento sell basics at the front desk, including towel rentals.

Q: How long do people typically spend at a sento?

A: Most visitors spend about 60–90 minutes, depending on whether they use the sauna or stay to relax after bathing.

Conclusion

Tokyo can feel fast paced, but sento offer a simple, deeply local way to slow down. Once you understand the basics, visiting a sento becomes the best way to relax in the city.

Whether you choose a modern sento like Koganeyu, a classic neighborhood bath in Ueno, or a spa-style facility in Shibuya, make a sento night a non negotiable.