It is often remarked that only the Japanese maintain the habit of soaking in a bathtub daily.

Japan, renowned as the "country of longevity," exhibits a cultural propensity towards regular bathing, which research suggests contributes positively to the health and longevity of its populace.

While surveys indicate that nearly all Japanese citizens engage in daily bathing rituals, the same cannot be said for Europeans and Americans, among whom only about 10% opt for baths, with the majority preferring showers. Conversely, Japan boasts a mere fraction of individuals, less than 10%, who exclusively shower without indulging in a bath throughout the year.

The significance of this bathing tradition has been under scrutiny for two decades from a medical perspective.

Despite the abundance of research on exercise, diet, and sleep worldwide, the health effects of bathing have been relatively overlooked, primarily due to the absence of such a cultural practice in many regions. In Japan, bathing in a tub is commonly referred to as "Mikaze-ryu," and it enjoys widespread popularity.

In a 2004 survey conducted by the Tokio News Agency, it was found that 80% to 90% of Japanese individuals expressed a fondness for bathing. This affinity towards bathing can be attributed, in part, to Japan's natural environment, which boasts a rich abundance of hot springs where people can luxuriate in steaming thermal waters.

Despite its modest size, Japan is home to approximately 27,000 hot springs, dwarfing the numbers found in even the most spring-endowed regions of Europe and the United States.

This abundance of natural thermal resources has facilitated the Japanese tradition of soaking in hot baths since ancient times. References to emperors availing themselves of hot springs can be traced back over a millennium in historical texts such as the Nihon Shoki.

The modern convenience of readily available hot water is a relatively recent development. While contemporary water heaters effortlessly provide hot water on demand, the perfection of such equipment has unfolded over recent decades.

In eras preceding the advent of water heaters, obtaining large volumes of hot water was challenging in regions lacking natural hot springs, potentially hindering the widespread adoption of bathing practices among commoners.

Although bathing has been an entrenched aspect of Japanese daily life for centuries, its medical benefits have only been conclusively demonstrated in recent years.

A collaborative study conducted by researchers tracked 14,000 elderly individuals over three years, yielding significant results. The study, which concluded in 2018, revealed that individuals who bathed daily experienced a 30% lower risk of incapacitation necessitating nursing care compared to those who bathed less than twice a week.

Remarkably, this reduction in risk was achieved without the need for rigorous muscle training, underscoring the simplicity and efficacy of a daily bath routine in promoting health and longevity.

Furthermore, a team of researchers from Osaka University published the findings of an epidemiological study in 2020, tracking 30,000 adults over two decades.

The study found that individuals who bathed daily exhibited a nearly 30% lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and myocardial infarction, compared to those who bathed less than twice a week. These findings corroborate the notion that bathing habits likely contribute significantly to the long and healthy lives observed among the Japanese populace.

The Japanese tradition of daily bathing, deeply rooted in cultural practices and supported by modern medical research, offers valuable insights into promoting health and longevity.

As the global community continues to explore avenues for enhancing well-being, the simple act of immersing oneself in a warm bath serves as a timeless reminder of the enduring wisdom embedded within cultural traditions.