2026 is the year of the "bath (026)," a once-in-a-millennium event.
On November 26th (Good Bath Day), the 5th Yudo Culture Award Ceremony, Organized by by the Yudo Culture Promotion Association, will be held at MoN Takanawa, marking its first Venue in Tokyo.
"Yudo" is the art of elevating the everyday act of bathing for Japanese people into a uniquely Japanese "culture." This ceremony will honor the five recipients of the 5th "Yudo Culture Award," which recognizes cultural initiatives related to bathing, and will also announce the winning entries of the inaugural "Zabun's Happiness Senryu" contest.

Established in 2022, this awards program aims to preserve and promote Japan's bathing culture and elevate the everyday act of bathing for Japanese people to a cultural achievement. It highlights cultural initiatives related to bathing. The five recipients for this year's 5th annual awards have now been decided.
 

Individuals and organizations that have made particularly outstanding contributions to elevating bathing to a "culture"

Arima Onsen Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association)
 

Individuals and organizations that have supported the development and continuation of bathing culture.

Kurokawa Onsen Tourist Ryokan Cooperative Association
 

Individuals or organizations that have contributed to the promotion of bathing culture by creating bathing-related tools and equipment.

Hinoki Construction Co., Ltd.
 

Individuals and organizations that are adding new value to bathing through unprecedented ideas and initiatives.

Shinbo Bathhouse Co., Ltd.
 

Individuals and organizations who deeply resonate with and embody the spirit and philosophy of "Yudo" (the way of the hot springs).

Hoshino Resorts

Bathing is an act that modern Japanese people take for granted as a daily habit. However, if we think about it calmly, it's simply boiling drinkable water and then soaking in it... Considering that out of 196 countries in the world, only a few have tap water that is safe to drink, there is no more luxurious and grateful act than this.
For Japanese people, the act of bathing is a unique cultural practice, unlike anything else in the world, and I came to believe that by pursuing its spirit and style to its fullest extent, it can become a kind of "path" in itself.
This initiative aims to share Japan's bathing culture with the world, based on three core principles: "gratitude," "cultivating consideration," and "self-improvement."
(Kundo Koyama, Representative of the Board of Directors, Yudo Culture Promotion Association)

The moment of relaxation in the bath. Casual conversation with family. The feeling of liberation you experience when you soak in the bathtub. This is a senryu contest where we ask you to express such "happiness of taking a bath" in 5-7-5 syllable form. We are looking for your happiness and memories of bathing, episodes with family, and more, and through the words of each individual, we will spread the "happiness of soaking in the bath" to society.
(Organized by: Tsumura Co., Ltd.)

Organization name: Yudo Culture Promotion Association (General Incorporated Association)　
Location: 5-11-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku Tokyo
Established: October 19, 2020
Business activities: Preservation, promotion, and educational activities for Japan's bathing culture both domestically and internationally. Preservation, promotion, and development of traditional Japanese crafts, etc.