Bathing
Bathing is a real culture point here. Most people bathe daily at the end of the day before bed. The bathing time is also longer than a westerner is used to. So if you are with hosts remember to try to stay in for a little longer, you donft want anyone to think you are not thoroughly clean.
Also when you are hosting a Japanese person be aware of the above when they stay in the shower for too long. They are not simply ehoggingf the shower, they are just unaware of our customs. Before any problems do arise it is a good idea to tell your guest any house rules you may have.
Here is a step by step bathing procedure. Please keep it in mind especially if you will be spending time with a Japanese family.
1 Enter the bathroom.
2 Sit on the small plastic stool provided.
3 Turn on the shower and scrub your body from head to toe and rinse off.
4 Shampoo and condition your hair. Rinse again.
5 When you are completely suds free turn the shower off.
6 Open the bath lid.
Inside the bath you should find 40 degrees Celsius water. Enter with care otherwise the water will overflow and splash everywhere.
Do not put any soap, shampoo or bubble bath products in the water. (The water is reused by other family members.)
Stay in the water for a few minutes, or longer if desired, and jump out when you have had enough.
7 Close the lid and youfre finished.
Another cultural point is that women in Japan shave not only their legs but also arms and faces. (Another reason they bathe for so long I guess.)
The reason behind the razor is that they believe that make-up goes on better on the hairless face line. Also their hair is darker than a foreignerfs.
