ashiyu

English

An ashiyu

Etymology

From Japanese 足湯 (ashiyu).

Noun

ashiyu (plural ashiyu)

1. A shallow communal pool in Japan, usually with seats around it, filled with warm water in which people can soak their feet and lower legs; a type of footbath.
   • 2011 October 19, Julie Miller, “Matsuo Basho's lasting legacy”, in The Press:

     Outside in the square is the even more popular ashiyu, or foot bath - simply whip off your boots, ease your tootsies into the searing water and watch your appendages turn lobster red, all for free.

   • 2014 July 2, Yoko Sudo, “Luxury Shinkansen Train to Feature Foot Baths”, in The Wall Street Journal:

     East Japan Railway Co., known as JR East, this week unveiled its newest luxury shinkansen cars featuring ashiyu, in which passengers can soak their tired feet while speeding through the beautiful, mountainous, hot-spring-rich region.

   • 2016 January 5, Rachel Marlowe, “6 L.A. Beauty Destinations for a Game-Changing Transformation”, in Vogue:

     The Japanese Couples Experience kicks off with a traditional Ashiyu foot soak, followed by a purifying Ofuro bath in a cypress tub and an 80-minute signature massage that combines Swedish and Japanese techniques.

   • 2018 March 3, Takahiro Takiguchi, “MY FAVES: Onsen to soak in”, in Stripes Japan:

     Foot spas, or ashiyu, are a very popular form of enjoying hot springs, as it is a nice way to relax as you soak your feet in public.

   • 2018 March 20, Jane Kitchen, “Alberto Apostoli designs extensive Italian thermae spa”, in CLAD Global:

     A ‘fire’ area will feature three different types of saunas – salt sauna, herbal sauna and Finnish sauna – which will then lead guests to a central passage and onward to an outdoor terrace with a large glazed sauna surrounded by cold pools at different temperatures, as well as an Ashiyu – an invigorating Japanese treatment for the limbs.

Japanese

Romanization

ashiyu

1. Rōmaji transcription of あしゆ