For all of its much touted modernity, Tokyo is also incredibly old fashioned — archaic even. An element that does have plenty of positives, not least of which is a large number of utterly endearing, lost in time bars and eateries.
Not so positive, on the other hand, is a good amount of the city’s accommodation. Places that in many ways are only a minor step up from camping, and a world away from the robot filled, high-tech toilet world portrayed in the media. Ramshackle abodes that are horrendously cold in winter, and the total opposite in summer. Plus for more than a few, there is only a toilet. No bathroom. A throwback presumably to a time when every neighbourhood had a sento (public bath).
Nowadays, however, these bathhouses are rapidly disappearing, and for those that do remain, their opening hours and time consuming nature may not be in tune with the modern world, or indeed its workforce. So public showers like this can sometimes be found.
Open most of the time.
Plus nice and quick.
If not necessarily nice and clean.
Martin says
That is unpleasant looking but I would assume better than not bathing at all.
Lee says
Yes. If you don’t have another option, then obviously needs much.
George says
I notice on the awning that they are looking for franchisees. Anyone interested? Seems maintenance and upkeep are kept to a minimum.
Lee says
Yeah, after the initial set up cost, there’s clearly not much in the way of outlay. That said, not how much money it makes either.
Hans ter Horst says
Wow, that’s dirty! I think it is healthier to jump into the river for a bath 🙂
Lee says
Yeah, not the nicest. Didn’t smell much better either…
Charlie Hayward says
Wow. The last shot doesn’t make the shower look all that much better than an outhouse at a fair.
Just a wee bit anachronistic.
Lee says
It is a bit, isn’t it? Perhaps not quite what you’d expect.
I’ve seen a few here and there, but these are certainly the dirtiest.
Ron says
Try travelling to China. These would be considered to be spotlessly clean, so to speak. Some of the public toilets in china were so filthy, i began to realize why chinese only squat to go to the washroom as opposed to sitting down.
Lee says
I travelled there post-Olympics and was pleasantly surprised, but admittedly from what I’ve heard I may well have got lucky.
June says
How much does it cost to take a shower there? I’m assuming you must (and should) bring your own towel and soap?
Lee says
Yes, you do. Just the water and cubicle are supplied. I can’t remember exactly how much it was, but it wasn’t much at all.
MrSatyre says
“Grotty”?
Lee says
Yeah, a good old word that pretty much describes the shower in the last picture!