Yes, in Japan parents and children bath together fully naked. And that's culturally perfectly normal. From a Japanese perspective, together tub-time is good for family bonding. As children grow older, they'll start enjoying bath time separately.
In Japan, families take baths together!
According to tradition, parents and children have to clean themselves with soap and rinse before taking a bath, either together, or one after the other. They thus enter the bathtub clean, and the water, which is free of bacteria at the start, is used by all participants.
In most homes, families share the same bathwater. I know, it sounds gross when you think of Western bathing. But remember that in Japan, people wash before their baths, so they're clean when they go in. You're not bathing in someone else's dirty water.
In general, I would say that by the age of 8 or 9 years-10 at the latest-most children have developed enough of a sense of personal boundaries and body space that they no longer want to shower with a parent or bathe with a sibling of the opposite sex.
Like an onsen or sento, it's expected that you shower completely before entering the ofuro, making it sanitary for multiple family members to enjoy the same bathwater. The order of bathers in a family signals a hierarchy - with the most senior family member enjoying the first bath and the hottest water.
When bathing Japanese-style, you are supposed to first rinse your body outside the bath tub with the shower or a washbowl. Afterwards, you enter the tub, which is used for soaking only. The bath water tends to be relatively hot, typically between 40 and 43 degrees.
Many Japanese people take a bath more or less every day. In some parts of the world, people may refer to showering as “taking a bath,” but not in Japan. In Japan, simply showering does not count.
In many families, it's very normal and healthy to bathe or be naked together with a small child. (Your 3½-year-old is still in that category; kids will usually let you know when they don't want to anymore.)
Dr. Basora-Rovira says there is no specific age that is “too old” for co-sleeping. She encourages parents to not begin practicing co-sleeping in the first place. And, if you are already co-sleeping with your child, to transition him or her out of your bed and into his or her own room as soon as possible.
While this is a matter of discretion, experts suggest waiting for the child to be 6 or 7 years old at least before letting them experience bath time on their own. Just as you do, remember the goal is to make them appreciate and exercise control over their own body and not shame nudity.
The exact number varies per survey but usually, around 70% of Japanese take a bath every day, and more than 15% bathe 3 to 6 times a week. While the number of Japanese that don't soak at all is less than 5%.
In view of the fact that many Japanese bathe and wash their hair daily, it's essential that they take well care of it. Modern-day shampoos mostly have ingredients that strip the hair of its natural oils, for example, sulfates.
Japan's bathing ritual is a moment for relaxation and for mental and physical well-being, going above classical hygiene requirements. The usual habit requires cleaning the entire body before going into the bath's hot water. Therefore, the bathrooms in Japan have developed specific arrangements due to this tradition.
Mixed-bathing was banned in Tokyo around the turn of the 19th century and has remained so ever since. Still, there are a few found outside of the city in the central region of Kanto that make for a perfect day trip to Gunma or Tochigi.
Most people in Japan think of the bathtub as washing away not only their sweat and dirt from the day but their fatigue, too. so it is typically custom to take baths every night. Everyone can experience this part of Japanese culture by dipping into onsen (hot springs) and public baths.
Konyoku, though not common, still exists in Japan. Today, guests can visit hundreds of mixed onsens, which is a rare experience. Though there are still several coed baths left, a factor that makes konyoku rare is inappropriate behavior.
DEAR CONCERNED: It is not appropriate for parents to co-sleep with adolescent children, partly because adolescents need and deserve some privacy, as they engage in the developmentally important process of figuring out who they are and what they're about.
Some children are all-night sleepers, but they're in the minority. It's natural for babies and children to want to sleep with their parents, or very close to them, as it's a primal thing to do. A look at young dependent mammals will attest this - they all sleep next to their parents/mother.
Although not recommended for any age, a 7-year-old sleeping with their parents is considered normal in many families and cultures. Co-sleeping is not recommended, but a 7-year-old child sleeping with parents is considered normal in many families and cultures.
One of the most important things to consider about kids who have poor hygiene is that refusal to shower, bathe, or brush their teeth can sometimes be a symptom of depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, or another mental health issue.
Really, bathing two or three times a week is fine. In fact, for many kids, even just once or twice a week is fine. You can always do a quick wipe with a wet washcloth to the face, groin area, and any dirty spots. Stinky teenagers might need more bathing or showering, depending on activity level and deodorant use.
When not in their own bathtub at home, people go to large public baths or Japanese bathhouses – and, as opposed to the Western world, these places are frequented without any clothes. People bathe together completely naked.
China. The bathing habits of China unsurprisingly favor showers (85%) versus the 11% of Chinese residents who bathe.
Most people in Japan tend to bathe at night. A morning bath is a rare thing and is usually done when vacationing at a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn) or an onsen hot springs resort.
To get to the point straight, the fact is many Japanese do NOT wash their hands after using the bathroom as well as many foreigners.