Takagi Bathtubs: Japanese Culture at Its Finest

A Japanese bathroom’s appearance is much different than our familiar western culture style bathrooms. Most Japanese bathrooms are comprised of a toileting area and a second room with a shower, sink and Takagi bathtub.

It is traditional in Eastern culture to wash the body of dirt and grime by showering before entering Takagi small bathtubs. In Japan, several persons utilize the bathtub without changing the water. It is disrespectful to enter Takagi bathtubs without showering with soap prior to entering. These bathtubs are exclusively for soaking and relaxation.

In Japanese culture, the bath is considered key to rejuvenating the body, mind and spirit. Traditional Eastern Medicine recognizes the effects of stress on the body and implements hydrotherapy as a way to alleviate and eliminate the harmful results stress can have on overall health.

At first glance, Takagi bathtubs look very different from the traditional western bathtub. These tubs consume a small footprint space but are very deep (usually 25 inches or greater). This allows for the bather to totally immerse the body. Takagi tubs have back rests that extend up above the tub line, similar to the seat back rest of a chair. In fact, when you slide into these bathtubs, you will be sitting in a seat, surrounded by water.

The water needed to fill Takagi bathtubs is much less than the standard bathtubs we are used to. Most Takagi tubs require sixty five gallons of water (some a little less, some a little more, depending on the model) to fill with enough water to allow body immersion.

Authentic Takagi tubs are generally made of Hinoki wood. Hinoki wood holds heat to help keep the bath water warm and is not likely to rot. In Japan, Takagi tubs may be constructed in the bathroom, on site.

Current Takagi tubs are available in wood, porcelain and fiberglass. Fiberglass Takagi bathtubs are lightweight (some weigh as little as fifty pounds), are easy to install by one person, and very durable. The fiberglass technology allows for a variety of shapes, colors and sizes of Takagi tubs to be manufactured.

Takagi bathtubs are compact and portable. They can be installed any where you have adequate drainage facilities. If you choose to move your bathtub (for instance if you move), it relatively easy to do.

Most Takagi tubs can be placed outside if you like. These tubs are actually freestanding with a surrounding enclosure built around them. This makes them very versatile and easy to install in a variety of locations, both inside and out.

Some options available with Takagi bathtubs are Takagi Ofuro Bathtubs, water heating options and temperature controls. Takagi tubs do not require the traditional tub faucet to fill them. In some Japanese homes and bath houses the water is added by hand. If you want a hot tub (especially outdoors) this will allow you to fill your tub with water and heat it with one of the water heating systems available.

Takagi small soaking bathtubs have been a well kept secret of the Japanese for centuries. As the internet and global travel have brought other cultures together, Takagi tubs have been gaining popularity. Previously, these Takagi bathtubs had to be imported directly from Japan, but as the global market place has grown, they are now offered by several manufacturers.

Takagi Bathtubs: Japanese Culture at Its Finest