Why is there no soap in Japanese bathrooms?
This article explores why there is no soap in Japanese bathrooms, looking at the history of Japanese bathrooms and their cultural beliefs about cleanliness. It also looks at the introduction of soap to Japan during the Meiji period, modern day practices and alternatives used instead of soap such as body wash, washcloths infused with natural oils and natural exfoliants. The benefits of not using soap are discussed including reducing waste from plastic packaging, reducing water contamination from chemicals found in soaps, saving money, helping maintain skin’s natural oils and helping reduce allergies caused by synthetic fragrances.