My lodgings in Kyoto when I first came to Japan were not so luxurious as to include bathing facilities, so I relied on the local sento (銭湯, public bath). These differ from onsen in that the water is usually artificially heated and that the purpose is more utilitarian. Sento have mostly disappeared, but the few that remain in Kumamoto stepped up after the quakes, offering free services to the weary, waterless populace. (Sadly, Jigoku Onsen [地獄温泉] near Kamitori was damaged so badly in the quakes that it has shut its doors for good.)
There is apparently a tradition on January 2, when the sento reopen, of adding sake to the bathwater, and the six remaining in Kumamoto did just that. This is said to increase circulation and improve skin condition. The below photo shows the Daifuku Yu (大福湯) sento in Tsuboi Machi where two sho (升, a volume unit slightly less than a half gallon) of sake and a kilogram of sake kasu (酒かす - the solidified remains of the rice used to make sake - it’s also often used as animal feed, much to the delight of the livestock) have been added to the bath.
Drinking the bath water is not recommended.
If you’re interested in sento and where to find them, please let us know. - William
