John Yamamoto-Wilson wrote:
> Ken Yasumoto-Nicolson wrote:
> 
>> She insisted that Japanese people always
>> wash off before entering the bath, and insisted that's the custom. I
>> suggested that the next time she visits an onsen she should really pay
>> attention to what people (herself included)acutally do.
> 
> As I understand it, it's not considered essential to wash oneself down
> before getting into the onsen (hot spring), because that's running water,
> but it would be a definite faux pas to not wash oneself down before getting
> into the sentou (public baths), because that's standing water - not that
> many people use the public baths any more, now that everyone has a bathroom
> of their own at home.

When will you be making your first trip to Japan?

- Kevin