ofuro

An ofuro (お風呂) is the Japanese term for a bath or bathtub. The o- prefix is an honorific attached to furo, and in everyday use it designates the bath found in homes as well as the room that contains it.

Traditional ofuro tubs are deep, typically made of wood such as hinoki (Japanese cypress) or cedar. They are designed for a long soak with water that reaches around shoulder height. Modern versions also come in rectangular or oval shapes and are made from ceramic, acrylic, fiberglass, or metal, and may be installed as part of a modular bathroom.

Bathing practice in Japan usually involves washing and rinsing the body thoroughly in a separate shower or basin before entering the ofuro to soak. The water is hot, and the soak is used for relaxation and warming the body. The tub water is not used for cleansing, and many households refill or reheat the water between uses.

History and context: The concept of a bathtub and home bathing developed over centuries, with deep wooden tubs becoming common in domestic households during the Edo period. Today, both traditional wooden furo and modern manufactured tubs are used in homes, inns, and public baths, while the term also denotes the bath space itself in Japanese bathing culture.