Not Even Japanese Bathhouses Are Immune From Shocks of Iran War
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Yoshiko Kodama’s family has operated a traditional public bathhouse (sento) in Nagano, Japan, for 138 years, surviving major historical events including world wars and earthquakes.
- The conflict in Iran has caused a surge in heavy oil prices, which is critical for heating the bathhouse’s water, putting the business at risk of closure.
- Sento have been a significant social institution in Japan for nearly a millennium, offering affordable communal bathing, but the industry has been declining due to fewer successors, private home baths, and competition from modern spas.
- Rising fuel costs driven by global geopolitical tensions are exacerbating the challenges faced by the remaining sento operators, threatening their survival.
