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“Hashidate-yu sento Japanese style public bathhouse is the only remaining, intact Japanese style bathhouse in North America. Before the war, many of the Japanese immigrants patronized several Japanese style bath houses that were built in the area. One of the bath houses was built as part of the Panama Hotel on 6th and South Main Street, called Hashidate-yu. These bathhouses were designed to replicate the bathhouses in Japan where people came together and relaxed. After a hard day’s work all the men would chat, bath, and soothe their tired bodies.
The sento was closed in 1963 due to rising water prices, the increasing availability of bathtubs in homes and fewer Japanese preferred commercial bathing.”
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