銭湯文化を英語で説明・紹介するための基本情報と、英会話に役立つ表現をシンプルでわかりやすい英語で紹介します。
英会話ダイアローグ・概要・10の質問を通して、銭湯文化に関する英語表現を学びます。
英語
英会話ダイアローグを読む前に知っておくと良い前提知識と情報です。
- 銭湯の基本
- 公衆浴場のことで、古くから日本の生活文化として根付いている
- 家庭に風呂がない時代に発展し、地域コミュニティの交流の場でもあった
- 現在では「裸の付き合い」という言葉があるように、社会的地位を脱ぎ捨てた平等な交流の場
- 銭湯の利用方法
- 入口で靴を脱ぎ、番台で料金を支払う
- 脱衣所で着替え、浴場では必ず体を洗ってから湯船に入る
- 小さなタオルを持ち込みますが、これは湯船には入れない
- 銭湯の特徴
- 多くの銭湯には富士山などの風景画が描かれている
- 一般的な温浴のほか、電気風呂、水風呂、サウナなど様々な種類がある
- 特に「電気風呂」は弱い電流が流れる独特の風呂で、筋肉痛に効くと言われている
- 銭湯のマナー
- 入浴前に体を洗うのは最も基本的なマナー
- 会話は控えめに、静かな雰囲気を大切
- 写真撮影は厳禁、他の入浴客に水をはねかけないなどの配慮が必要
- 現代の銭湯事情
- 家庭風呂の普及で一時は減少しましたが、近年は人気が復活
- サウナブームやレトロな雰囲気が若者や観光客に注目されている
- カフェやアートスペースを併設した新しいスタイルの銭湯も登場
２人が銭湯について話しています。
銭湯の利用方法、マナー、設備、魅力、そして現代における銭湯人気などを話題にしてきます。
会話 / dialogue
Hey Key, I’ve been really curious about sento culture lately. I’ve never tried it, but I keep hearing people talk about it.
That’s great, Mack! Sento is such an interesting part of Japanese life. It’s more than just taking a bath.
Really? I thought it was just an old-fashioned place to get clean.
Well, that’s part of it, but there’s a whole culture around it. It’s a place to relax, to connect with local people, and even to feel part of a community.
That sounds nice. What’s the usual way to use a sento?
First, you take off your shoes and put them in a shoe locker. Then, you pay at the front desk—some places still have a bandai, a small counter where the staff sits.
Interesting. Then I guess you go to the changing room?
Exactly. You undress there and leave your clothes in a locker. After that, you go into the bath area and wash your body at a shower station.
So you have to wash before entering the bathtub?
Yes, that’s a really important rule. Everyone cleans themselves first so the shared bathwater stays clean.
I see. What kind of baths do sento usually have?
Most have a big hot bath, but some have extras like cold baths, jet baths, or even electric baths. Some modern ones even have saunas and herbal baths.
Electric bath? That sounds… shocking.
Haha, it’s not as scary as it sounds! Just a mild electric current—some people find it helps with muscle pain.
What about the atmosphere? Is it relaxing?
Very. Many have Mt. Fuji painted on the wall and a quiet, steamy space. It’s a great way to unwind after a long day.
Do people usually talk to each other there?
Sometimes, but quietly. It’s not a noisy place. Locals might chat a bit, but mostly it’s a peaceful vibe.
What about the rules? I don’t want to do something wrong.
Good question. Don’t bring your towel into the water, don’t splash, no photography, and keep your voice low. Also, dry off before you go back to the changing room.
Thanks. That’s really helpful. Are sento still popular today?
They went down for a while, but they’re getting popular again. The “sauna boom” and retro trend brought them back—especially among young people and tourists.
Yeah, I’ve seen some cool photos of stylish sento on Instagram.
Right? Some have cafés or art spaces too. It’s like a mix of tradition and modern comfort.
That’s exactly what I want to try. I’d love to experience both the retro and modern style.
Let’s go together sometime. I know a place in Suginami that’s super local but has a cool, retro feel.
Sounds perfect! I can’t wait to relax like a local and enjoy the real sento culture.
概要 / Overview
「銭湯文化」について、理解を深めるための「英語での概要」です。
銭湯文化
What Is Sento?
A sento is a traditional Japanese public bathhouse. It became popular when most homes in Japan did not have a private bath. People went to sento to clean themselves and relax. Even today, many people enjoy sento for its peaceful atmosphere and unique culture.
How to Use a Sento
First, you take off your shoes at the entrance and put them in a shoe locker. Then, you pay at the front desk. After that, you go to the changing room, take off your clothes, and put them in a locker. Before getting into the bath, you must wash your body at the shower area. This is an important rule in Japan. Then, you can enjoy the hot bath quietly.
Rules and Manners
There are some basic manners in a sento. Do not put your towel in the bath. Do not speak loudly. Do not take photos. Always wash before entering the bath. Dry your body before going back to the changing room. These rules help keep the space clean and relaxing for everyone.
Modern Sento Culture
Today, sento is getting popular again. Young people and tourists enjoy the retro style and relaxing mood. Some sento have saunas, herbal baths, cafés, or art spaces. Sento is now a mix of tradition and modern lifestyle. It is a great way to experience Japanese daily life.
10の質問 / 10 questions
「銭湯文化」について、理解を深めるための「英語での10の質問」です。
1: What is a sento?
A sento is a public bathhouse in Japan where people go to clean themselves and relax in hot water.
2: Why did sento become popular in Japan?
Sento became popular because many homes in the past did not have private baths.
3: How much does it cost to use a sento?
It usually costs about 500 yen, which is cheap compared to spas or onsen.
4: What do you need to bring to a sento?
You should bring a towel, soap, shampoo, and other washing items. Some sento also rent or sell them.
5: What is the first thing you do when entering a sento?
You take off your shoes and put them in a shoe locker at the entrance.
6: What should you do before entering the bath?
You must wash your body at the shower area. This is a very important rule.
7: Can you talk inside the bath area?
You can talk quietly, but you should not speak loudly. It is a place to relax.
8: What are some common rules in a sento?
Do not put towels in the bath, do not take photos, and dry off before going back to the changing room.
9: Why are sento popular again today?
Sento are popular again because of the sauna boom and interest in retro Japanese culture.
10: What are modern sento like?
Some modern sento have saunas, herbal baths, cafés, or art spaces. They mix tradition and modern style.
和訳付
会話 / dialogue
Hey Key, I’ve been really curious about sento culture lately. I’ve never tried it, but I keep hearing people talk about it.
ねえキー、最近銭湯文化にすごく興味があるんだ。行ったことはないんだけど、よく話題に上がっててさ。
That’s great, Mack! Sento is such an interesting part of Japanese life. It’s more than just taking a bath.
いいねマック！銭湯って日本の暮らしの面白い一面だよ。単にお風呂に入るだけじゃないんだ。
Really? I thought it was just an old-fashioned place to get clean.
そうなの？ただ体を洗うための昔ながらの場所だと思ってたよ。
Well, that’s part of it, but there’s a whole culture around it. It’s a place to relax, to connect with local people, and even to feel part of a community.
それもあるけど、それだけじゃなくて文化があるんだよ。リラックスできて、地域の人とつながれて、コミュニティの一員みたいに感じられる場所なんだ。
That sounds nice. What’s the usual way to use a sento?
なんかいいね。銭湯って、普通どうやって使うの？
First, you take off your shoes and put them in a shoe locker. Then, you pay at the front desk—some places still have a bandai, a small counter where the staff sits.
まず入口で靴を脱いで下駄箱に入れるんだ。それから受付で料金を払うんだけど、昔ながらの番台があるところもあるよ。
Interesting. Then I guess you go to the changing room?
へぇ、面白いね。それで更衣室に行くって感じかな？
Exactly. You undress there and leave your clothes in a locker. After that, you go into the bath area and wash your body at a shower station.
その通り。そこで服を脱いでロッカーに入れてから、浴室に入ってシャワーで体を洗うんだ。
So you have to wash before entering the bathtub?
ってことは、湯船に入る前に体を洗わなきゃいけないの？
Yes, that’s a really important rule. Everyone cleans themselves first so the shared bathwater stays clean.
うん、それはすごく大事なマナーだよ。みんなが体を洗ってから入ることで、お湯を清潔に保つんだ。
I see. What kind of baths do sento usually have?
なるほど。銭湯って、どんなお風呂があるの？
Most have a big hot bath, but some have extras like cold baths, jet baths, or even electric baths. Some modern ones even have saunas and herbal baths.
大きな熱い湯船が基本だけど、冷たい水風呂やジェットバス、電気風呂がある所もあるよ。最近の銭湯はサウナや薬湯があることもあるよ。
Electric bath? That sounds… shocking.
電気風呂？なんか…ビリビリしそうで怖いな。
Haha, it’s not as scary as it sounds! Just a mild electric current—some people find it helps with muscle pain.
はは、聞こえほど怖くないよ！ほんの少しの電流で、筋肉のこりに効くっていう人もいるよ。
What about the atmosphere? Is it relaxing?
雰囲気はどう？リラックスできる感じ？
Very. Many have Mt. Fuji painted on the wall and a quiet, steamy space. It’s a great way to unwind after a long day.
めっちゃ落ち着くよ。富士山の絵が描かれてたりして、静かで湯気がたっぷり。疲れた日には最高だよ。
Do people usually talk to each other there?
そこではみんな、けっこうしゃべったりするの？
Sometimes, but quietly. It’s not a noisy place. Locals might chat a bit, but mostly it’s a peaceful vibe.
少しは話すけど、静かにね。うるさい場所じゃないから、地元の人がちょっと会話するくらいかな。落ち着いた空気があるよ。
What about the rules? I don’t want to do something wrong.
マナーとかルールってある？変なことしちゃったら嫌だしさ。
Good question. Don’t bring your towel into the water, don’t splash, no photography, and keep your voice low. Also, dry off before you go back to the changing room.
いい質問！タオルは湯船に入れちゃダメ、バシャバシャしない、写真も禁止、声は小さく。それと、脱衣所に戻る前に体をちゃんと拭くこと。
Thanks. That’s really helpful. Are sento still popular today?
ありがとう、すごく参考になるよ。銭湯って今でも人気あるの？
They went down for a while, but they’re getting popular again. The “sauna boom” and retro trend brought them back—especially among young people and tourists.
一時は減ったけど、最近また人気が出てきてるよ。サウナブームとか、レトロな雰囲気が若者や観光客にウケてるんだ。
Yeah, I’ve seen some cool photos of stylish sento on Instagram.
ああ、インスタでおしゃれな銭湯の写真を見たことあるよ。
Right? Some have cafés or art spaces too. It’s like a mix of tradition and modern comfort.
でしょ？中にはカフェとかアートスペースがあるところもあって、伝統と今っぽさがうまく混ざってるんだよね。
That’s exactly what I want to try. I’d love to experience both the retro and modern style.
まさにそれを体験してみたいんだよ。レトロな感じと今風なスタイル、両方楽しみたいな。
Let’s go together sometime. I know a place in Suginami that’s super local but has a cool, retro feel.
じゃあ今度一緒に行こうよ。杉並に地元感たっぷりでレトロな雰囲気のいい銭湯があるんだ。
Sounds perfect! I can’t wait to relax like a local and enjoy the real sento culture.
最高じゃん！地元の人みたいにリラックスして、本物の銭湯文化を楽しむのが待ちきれないよ。
概要 / Overview
銭湯文化
What Is Sento?
A sento is a traditional Japanese public bathhouse. It became popular when most homes in Japan did not have a private bath. People went to sento to clean themselves and relax. Even today, many people enjoy sento for its peaceful atmosphere and unique culture.
銭湯とは？
銭湯は、日本の伝統的な公衆浴場です。昔は多くの家庭にお風呂がなかったため、銭湯が広まりました。人々は体をきれいにし、リラックスするために銭湯へ行きました。現在でも、静かで落ち着いた雰囲気と独自の文化を楽しむ人が多くいます。
How to Use a Sento
First, you take off your shoes at the entrance and put them in a shoe locker. Then, you pay at the front desk. After that, you go to the changing room, take off your clothes, and put them in a locker. Before getting into the bath, you must wash your body at the shower area. This is an important rule in Japan. Then, you can enjoy the hot bath quietly.
銭湯の利用方法
まず、入口で靴を脱ぎ、下駄箱に入れます。そして受付で料金を払います。その後、脱衣所で服を脱ぎ、ロッカーに入れます。お風呂に入る前に、洗い場で体を洗う必要があります。これは日本でとても大切なルールです。それが済んだら、静かにお湯を楽しみましょう。
Rules and Manners
There are some basic manners in a sento. Do not put your towel in the bath. Do not speak loudly. Do not take photos. Always wash before entering the bath. Dry your body before going back to the changing room. These rules help keep the space clean and relaxing for everyone.
銭湯のマナー
銭湯にはいくつかの基本的なマナーがあります。タオルを湯船に入れない、大きな声で話さない、写真を撮らない、入浴前に必ず体を洗う、脱衣所に戻る前に体を拭く、などです。これらのルールは、みんなが気持ちよく過ごせるようにするためのものです。
Modern Sento Culture
Today, sento is getting popular again. Young people and tourists enjoy the retro style and relaxing mood. Some sento have saunas, herbal baths, cafés, or art spaces. Sento is now a mix of tradition and modern lifestyle. It is a great way to experience Japanese daily life.
現代の銭湯文化
最近、銭湯は再び人気が高まっています。若者や観光客は、レトロな雰囲気とリラックスできる空間を楽しんでいます。サウナや薬湯、カフェやアートスペースを備えた銭湯もあります。今の銭湯は、伝統と現代的なライフスタイルが融合した空間となっています。日本の生活文化を体験するのにぴったりの場所です。
10の質問 / 10 questions
1: What is a sento?
銭湯とは何ですか？
A sento is a public bathhouse in Japan where people go to clean themselves and relax in hot water.
銭湯は、日本の公衆浴場で、人々が体を洗い、熱いお湯でリラックスするために利用する場所です。
2: Why did sento become popular in Japan?
銭湯はなぜ日本で広まったのですか？
Sento became popular because many homes in the past did not have private baths.
昔の日本では多くの家庭に風呂がなかったため、銭湯が広まりました。
3: How much does it cost to use a sento?
銭湯の利用料金はいくらくらいですか？
It usually costs about 500 yen, which is cheap compared to spas or onsen.
通常は約500円で、スパや温泉と比べて安価です。
4: What do you need to bring to a sento?
銭湯に行くときに何を持っていくべきですか？
You should bring a towel, soap, shampoo, and other washing items. Some sento also rent or sell them.
タオル、石けん、シャンプーなどの洗面道具を持っていくとよいです。貸し出しや販売をしている銭湯もあります。
5: What is the first thing you do when entering a sento?
銭湯に入ったら最初に何をしますか？
You take off your shoes and put them in a shoe locker at the entrance.
まず入口で靴を脱ぎ、下駄箱に入れます。
6: What should you do before entering the bath?
湯船に入る前に何をするべきですか？
You must wash your body at the shower area. This is a very important rule.
洗い場で体を洗わなければなりません。これはとても大切なルールです。
7: Can you talk inside the bath area?
浴室で話してもいいのですか？
You can talk quietly, but you should not speak loudly. It is a place to relax.
静かに話すのは大丈夫ですが、大声ではいけません。リラックスする場所だからです。
8: What are some common rules in a sento?
銭湯での一般的なルールにはどんなものがありますか？
Do not put towels in the bath, do not take photos, and dry off before going back to the changing room.
タオルを湯船に入れない、写真を撮らない、脱衣所に戻る前に体を拭く、などのルールがあります。
9: Why are sento popular again today?
最近また銭湯が人気なのはなぜですか？
Sento are popular again because of the sauna boom and interest in retro Japanese culture.
サウナブームやレトロな日本文化への関心により、銭湯が再び人気になっています。
10: What are modern sento like?
現代の銭湯はどのような感じですか？
Some modern sento have saunas, herbal baths, cafés, or art spaces. They mix tradition and modern style.
現代の銭湯にはサウナ、薬湯、カフェ、アートスペースなどがあり、伝統と現代的なスタイルが融合しています。
words & phrases
英会話ダイアローグと関連情報に出てきた単語・フレーズです（例文は各３つ）。
undress : 動詞
意味：服を脱ぐ。To remove clothes from oneself or another person.
（銭湯に入る前に脱衣所で服を脱ぐという説明の中で使用）
例文：
- Please undress in the changing room before entering the bath.
「湯船に入る前に脱衣所で服を脱いでください。」 - The child refused to undress for the bath.
「その子はお風呂に入るために服を脱ぐのを嫌がった。」 - She quickly undressed and got ready for bed.
「彼女は素早く服を脱ぎ、寝る準備をしました。」
herbal : 形容詞
意味：薬草の、ハーブを使った。Made from or related to herbs, especially for medical or relaxation purposes.
（現代の銭湯にある「薬湯（herbal bath）」の説明の中で使用）
例文：
- I enjoyed soaking in the herbal bath at the sento.
「銭湯の薬湯に浸かってとても気持ちよかったです。」 - She drinks herbal tea every night to relax.
「彼女は毎晩リラックスのためにハーブティーを飲みます。」 - The spa offers various herbal treatments.
「そのスパではさまざまな薬草トリートメントを提供しています。」
current : 名詞・形容詞
意味（名詞）：流れ、電流。A flow of water, air, or electricity.
意味（形容詞）：現在の。Happening or existing now.
（電気風呂の中で弱い電流として使用）
例文：
- The electric bath has a gentle current that helps with muscle pain.
「電気風呂には筋肉痛に効くやさしい電流があります。」 - Be careful of the strong current in the river.
「川の強い流れに注意してください。」 - This device uses a small electric current to work.
「この装置は弱い電流で動作します。」
steamy : 形容詞
意味：湯気が立ちこめた、蒸気の多い。Full of steam or covered with steam.
（銭湯の浴室の雰囲気（湯気が立ちこめた空間）を表す描写の中で使用）
例文：
- The bath area was warm and steamy, perfect for relaxing.
「浴室は暖かくて湯気に包まれていて、リラックスするのにぴったりでした。」 - After the shower, the mirror was all steamy.
「シャワーの後、鏡は湯気で真っ白でした。」 - I love the steamy atmosphere of a hot spring.
「温泉の湯気の立ちこめる雰囲気が大好きです。」
unwind : 動詞
意味：くつろぐ、リラックスする。To relax after stress or work.
（銭湯が一日の終わりにリラックスする場所として描かれている）
例文：
- I like to unwind at the sento after work.
「仕事のあとに銭湯でリラックスするのが好きです。」 - Listening to music helps me unwind.
「音楽を聴くとリラックスできます。」 - A hot bath is a great way to unwind after a busy day.
「忙しい一日のあとに熱いお風呂に入るのは最高のリラックス法です。」