Why Japanese people prefer to bathe at night, the reasons explained

A social media debate has been running on why Japanese people prefer to bathe at night rather than in the morning. An Indian woman living in Japan has explained the reasons behind this practice, known as "ofuro", in her vlog, citing four factors.

The first is what she calls the "boundary effect". In Japanese lifestyle, a night bath is not just about cleaning the body but also about calming the mind. As warm water touches the body, the stress, office fatigue and mental tiredness of the day shut off. The warm water signals to the brain that work is done and it is time to rest, which is why people in Japan bathe at night.

The second reason is the Japanese focus on cleanliness. They follow a policy of not bringing outside dirt into the house. Japanese people do not go to sleep carrying the day's dust, dirt, pollution and sweat, believing that sleeping with a dirty body contaminates the whole house and the sleeping area. So they bathe at night and clean themselves fully before going to bed.

The third reason concerns problems that come with age. After the age of 40 in particular, stiffness, back pain and fatigue are common in both men and women. Sitting in a tub of hot water at night, called ofuro, loosens all the stiff nerves and muscles in the body, and the stiffness and pain disappear immediately, leaving one feeling refreshed on waking up in the morning.

The fourth reason is that the secret to the flawless, youthful skin of Japanese women also lies in this night bathing habit. Bathing in hot water at night triggers the production of melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep. During deep, restful sleep, skin cells repair themselves, which is why their skin looks fresh, glowing and youthful in the morning.