I was warned away by American friends from partaking in the traditional evening bath. I was told the bath water would be scalding and deep and that I might faint. The first evening, Machiko asked me if I would like to take a bath and gave me some help with the mechanics of it. She showed me that there was a spigot which could cool things down a little and then left the room. The bath was very hot and unnervingly deep and I did get a little light headed. I turned a lot pinker than I am normally, but I slept well.