Tokyo launches campaign to promote sento bathhouses!
- Published on : 02/09/2025
- by : Ph.L
- Youtube
A sento in Tokyo
@unsplash
From September 1 to February 28, 2026, enjoy sento at reduced prices! The Tokyo government is launching a campaign to encourage foreign travelers to discover the Japanese capital's public bathhouses. What can you expect? Japan Experience provides insight on the campaign and its initiatives!
A campaign to promote Tokyo's beloved bathhouses!
There was a time when bathtubs were not a standard feature of Japanese homes. Practical and affordable sento were an essential part of self-care. Today, the public bath has become a place of tradition, where people go to relax rather than out of necessity.
While the number of sento in Tokyo is declining due to aging facilities and aging owners, the metropolitan government is seeking to attract bathers from all over the world.
Un sento
@takuchucamera on Flick,CC BY-NC 2.0
In partnership with the local sento association, the city has drawn up an official list of 63 "tourist-friendly" establishments, equipped with multilingual signs, translation assistance services and cashless payment solutions. In addition, discount coupons are available for use at sento partners from September 1 to February 28, 2026.
Discounts for foreign travellers
From September 1st, flyers containing discount coupons will be distributed to partner hotels, tourist offices and the building observatories of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. While the sento were already affordable, with an average rate of 550 yen per person, tourists staying in the capital will be able to take advantage of a 250 yen discount coupon during the campaign period.
When using the coupon, be sure to fill in a short questionnaire to receive a free tenugui towel, while stocks last. For further details, visit the event website.
Sento noren
@Udono on Wikimedia, royalty-free
Discount coupons will also be available for the World Athletics Championships in September and the Deaflympics in November. Themed "Athletes' Baths" will even be set up in some sentos for the occasion.
Our full report on hot springs
- Sento, Japan's public baths
- Kyoto sento public baths: a relaxing cultural experience
- Where to go to a public bath in Tokyo?
- Tokyo Onsens: A guide to relaxation and rejuvenation in Japan's capital city
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