Star Army Crew Baths are intended to provide a place for crew members who want to get away from the hectic life of service to relax. They employ the virtues of “naked communion” for breaking down barriers and getting to know people in the relaxed atmosphere. The crew baths are not intended for cleaning the bodies, but rather to relax the body and spirit. Entering the crew bath while still dirty or with traces of soap on the body is socially unacceptable.
The basic design is based on the palace bath, it has two sections.
The changing room is where the occupants remove and store their clothing and personal belongings. The room has benches on which to sit, and one wall has shelves with bins that the users place their possessions in. Next to the door that leads into the bath is a basket with small towels for use as a hand towel.
The typical bath is a large round room with a pool in the center. Steam drifts from the water's surface. The material the pool is made of varies, from ceramic to marble and colors are earth tones and harmonious. Circular steps go down towards the pool's center. The fixtures are typically chrome, but occasionally more precious metals are used. A large statue with a fountain emits a stream of hot water into the bath below stands on the far side of the bath. The statue is traditionally a naked Nekovalkyrja or a Yamataian female.
They are based upon the Japanese tradition of Onsen.
