Taking a bath has always been an important part of Japanese life. From a very long time ago, the Japanese have enjoyed taking baths with their friend and neighbour in a public (the sento) or in a hot spring bath (the onsen). It was not until the second half of the twentieth century. when water was piped directly to homes, that many Japanese could have private baths. However, the sento and the onsen remain popular in the country. For western visitors to japan, this tradition of taking public baths may seem strange. They usually have their bath alone. They fill a tub with warm water, climb into it and then soap, scrub and rinse themselves in the water. The bath takes about 15 minutes or until the water gets cold. Then, They get out and dry themselves, feeling fresh and clean. Actually, though, a great many people have given up taking baths. Instead, they take showers, which are quicker and use less water. And this is one main difference between a Japanese bath and a western one: a Japanese bath is more than making yourself clean. It is for warming you body. Before you step into the bath of a sento, you gave to wash yourself thoroughly. then, you can take your tome in the bath, letting the clean hot water make you fill good and help you forger any troubles you may have. the bath water is not changed for each person who takes a bath in a sento. any number of persons may use the same water together or at different times. It is, therefore very important for bathers to keep the water clean, both for themselves and for others. Can you imagine the problems that may arise if a western visitor takes a bath in a sento or onsen as he or she does at home? Often, the cause is not bad manners, but a difference in culture.