Nowadays most people have baths in their homes in Japan but the public bath still exists and is used by students or as a form of relaxation. Ruby and Deb visited the onsens, or hot spring baths very often while they were here. You wash yourself off completely with a bucket, stool, and shower and then go sit in the hot, hot bath. Men's and women's baths are separated. There are sometimes baths with medicinal herbs or very cold baths to cool you down. It's a recommended attraction!.