Akasuri: scrubbing off the dirt and grime

In the summer I try extra hard to keep nice and squeaky clean. Japanese summers are so hot and humid I always feel the need for multiple showers a day. When you add in the sweat, lotions, and UV protection, I can get pretty grimy. So, I head to akasuri.

My usual spot for this treat is Gokouyu, a sento by Gojo Omiya. The basic scrub course (Course A) is 2500 yen for 20 minutes. You can make a reservation by phone (Japanese only) or at the front desk of the sento.

You'll be given a special numbered bracelet and told to be in the waiting area a few minutes before your appointment. Once you've soaked for 15-30 minutes, head to the second floor and wait in one of the plastic chairs outside of the akasuri room. A woman will invite you in, ask you to lay face down, and scrub you down like an elephant in the zoo. She will thoroughly scrub everywhere, including your I-line and O-line, so this is not for the faint of heart. At Gokouyu, the akasuri room is private.

However, since akasuri is not always available at Gokouyu, I sometimes go to Hana no yu. In addition to having rotemburo (outdoor bath), it also offers massage and akasuri until midnight. You can buy a ticket in the lobby (15 minutes for 2200 yen) and then make an appointment at the massage/akasuri counter on the first floor. The scrub here isn't quite as good, and the room can accommodate 5 people, but it's effective.