Creating a Japanese bathroom is about more than decor – it’s about embracing a cultural ritual of bathing that has evolved over centuries. One of the most common questions we hear is, “How do I create a Japanese bathroom in my own home?” Japan’s strong bathing culture is rooted in the country’s unique geography and spiritual traditions. As an island nation atop active volcanoes, Japan is blessed with thousands of natural hot springs (onsen) that have made communal bathing a way of life. Bathing is not merely about getting clean; it’s a practice of relaxation and purification deeply ingrained in daily life. Before diving into design tips, it’s important to clarify what “a Japanese bathroom” means. There’s a difference between simply Japanese-inspired decor and an authentic Japanese bath setup. The latter involves specific features – a separate toilet area, a deep soaking tub, a wash area for cleansing, and often some high-tech amenities – all geared toward a serene, rejuvenating experience. Below, we demystify these elements and explain how you can recreate them in a UK home.
(Image credit: Azumi Setoda)
Separate Toilet vs Bathing Area
A hallmark of Japanese bathrooms is the separation of the WC (toilet) from the bathing area. In Japanese homes, the toilet is usually in its own small room, apart from the bath/shower room. This is partly for hygiene and partly because the bathroom itself is designed as a wet room exclusively for bathing. Typically, you’ll enter a dressing area (with a vanity and space to undress) that is just outside the bath area. From there, you step into the bath/shower room – a completely waterproofed space with a drain in the floor. Keeping the toilet in a different room ensures the bathing area remains a clean, spa-like environment dedicated to relaxation. By contrast, many Western homes combine toilet, basin, shower and bath in one room. To create a Japanese-style bathroom at home, consider if you can separate the WC (even if just partitioned) from the shower/tub area. This layout not only echoes Japanese design but also feels more tranquil and private. If a separate room isn’t possible, you can still visually or spatially separate the toilet with a divider or screen to mimic the distinction.
Deep Soaking Tub (Ofuro)
At the heart of a Japanese bathroom is the deep soaking tub, known as an ofuro. Unlike Western bathtubs which are shallow and long, an ofuro is shorter but much deeper, allowing the bather to sit immersed up to the shoulders. The water is kept steaming hot—typically around 40–43 °C (some go up to 45 °C)—and the tub often has a cover to retain heat. This tub is for soaking and relaxation, not washing. You soap and rinse off beforehand (more on that shortly), then sink into the clean, hot water to let the heat melt away tension. The compact depth has practical benefits too: the smaller surface area helps retain warmth. Families in Japan often share the same bathwater in the evening, each person bathing in turn. To support this, many tubs have insulated covers and reheating systems to maintain temperature. It’s a luxurious feeling—like a personal onsen at home. If installing one in the UK, look for a deep soaking tub; some manufacturers offer Japanese designs, or opt for a shorter, taller model. Water temperature can be set higher than in a standard bath, but note that deeper tubs may need extra structural support.
Image credit: Maana Kyoto
Shower and Wash Area
Another key feature is the shower area next to the tub, used for washing thoroughly before soaking. In a traditional Japanese bathroom, you sit on a small stool and use a handheld shower or bucket to rinse completely before entering the tub. This ensures the bathwater—often shared by the family—remains clean.
Rinsing first is not only practical, but cultural. In Shintō, Japan’s indigenous religion, water purification is a spiritual ritual. Bathing is seen as a way to cleanse both body and mind. The act of careful washing before entering the tub extends this belief.
To adapt this at home, install a hand shower or tap near the tub, and set up a wash area with a stool or low seat. This zone should have tiled surfaces and good drainage. Embracing the Japanese wash ritual shifts your mindset: it becomes a calm, intentional prelude to soaking—and helps keep your bathwater cleaner. A small container or wooden bucket adds a traditional finishing touch.
Image credit: Aman Tokyo
Bath Water Reheating Systems
A uniquely Japanese feature found in many bathrooms is the bath control panel that fills and reheats the tub. In Japan, these digital panels often include a voice prompt and allow you to fill the ofuro to a preset level and temperature. The oidaki function reheats the water, so the bath stays hot for hours. If someone bathes later, they can simply press “reheat” and enjoy a soak without refilling.
While common in Japanese homes, this feature is difficult to replicate in the UK. Currently, there are no domestic tubs with built-in reheating systems. Some spa or whirlpool baths offer heating, and external circulation units exist, but they’re uncommon and require specialist installation.
When designing a Japanese-style bathroom, it’s best to be realistic—this may be the one feature you skip. Instead, use an insulated tub or a fitted cover to retain heat, or top up with hot water if needed. The rest of the Japanese bathing experience, however, is entirely achievable with the right layout and fixtures.
Image credit: Aman Kyoto
High-Tech “Washlet” Toilets
No discussion of Japanese bathrooms is complete without mentioning the famous high-tech toilets, often called “Washlets” after Toto’s popular model. In Japan, these electronic bidet seats are the norm—over 80% of households have toilets with built-in bidet functions and other features.
If you’ve travelled there, you’ll know the surprise (and comfort) of a toilet that warms the seat, cleans with a gentle water spray, and deodorises the air. Typical features include a heated seat, adjustable water spray, warm-air dryer, and often an automatic lid or flush. Higher-end versions may add a deodoriser fan, nightlight, or even music.
The good news is that UK homeowners can enjoy this too. Brands like Toto and others offer electric bidet seats that fit many standard toilet pans. All you need is a nearby electrical outlet and a water connection. Once installed, you may wonder how you lived without one—especially on cold mornings.
If you’ve created a separate WC, the washlet would belong there. Even without an overtly Japanese design, this one feature brings a bit of Japan’s daily comfort and hygiene into your home.
Health and Wellness Benefits
Beyond the design and gadgetry, one of the most compelling reasons to create a Japanese-style bathroom is the wellness benefit it offers. The Japanese bathing ritual is known for its therapeutic effects on both body and mind. Immersing yourself in hot water up to the shoulders provides deep muscle relaxation and stress relief—the heat soothes tension built up during the day.
The full-body soak also improves circulation and can help lower blood pressure as the body responds to the warmth. In Japan, it’s widely accepted that an evening bath warms you from within and improves sleep. Studies support this: soaking at night can help you fall asleep faster and rest more deeply.
The mental benefits are just as strong. Washing and soaking in silence promotes calm and helps you let go of the day’s concerns. For many, it’s almost meditative—a brief retreat from daily noise.
Adding essential oils or mineral bath salts, like hinoki or eucalyptus, enhances the experience. Over time, this bathing ritual can lower stress, support better sleep, and contribute to overall wellbeing—a quiet self-care practice well suited to modern life.
Image credit: Maana Kamo
Can you create a Japanese bathroom in a UK home? In essence, yes—almost entirely. With a separate WC, a deep soaking tub, and a simple washing area, it’s possible to evoke the core rituals of Japanese bathing. The only notable exception is the automated reheating feature, which remains uncommon here.
Ventilation and waterproofing are important, especially for wet-room-style setups. If a true ofuro is hard to source, a smaller deep tub or Japanese soaking barrel can serve just as well. Quiet design touches—natural textures, soft light, thoughtful layout—make all the difference.
We may not have volcanic spring water, but we can bring the same clarity and calm. A Japanese bathroom is less about geography and more about feeling: warm, restored, and unhurried. With restraint and care, it becomes a space to slow down—something we believe every home should offer.