Icy bath

Sorry, but I cannot do that!

Well that's one way to chill out. Me, I prefer a warmer onsen or sento

Do doctors recommend this?

Getting Hyperthermia and cleaning your soul, all at the same time? wow, Ill think that ill give cleaning my soul a miss today. If you went to a temple and asked a monk to forgive you and clean your soul could he? is this possible?

People wearing loin cloths pray as they bathe in ice-cold water in a ceremony to purify their souls and wish for good health

You can WISH all you want for good health while bathing in icy cold water in mid winter. Getting it is another matter...

Generally, guys in Japan seem to like close-quarters bathing, etc. Polar Bear Club? Maybe. This? No way. Yes, I can see there are women in there too.

Freezing dips are a think]=g in may countries as seen as purifying.  not dfor me thought.  surely hot water works just as well.

Brian

Hyperthermia is the complete opposite of hypothermia ;-)

@J,Jo, yes your right, oops! silly me.

As if it ain't cold enough outside!

Aly RustomJan. 15 09:04 am JSTPeople wearing loin cloths pray as they bathe in ice-cold water in a ceremony to purify their souls and wish for good health

You can WISH all you want for good health while bathing in icy cold water in mid winter. Getting it is another matter...

I've seen this ceremony in a film shown in a college course I took. Couldn't these guys chant 'namo amitbah butsu' in a warmer room, by a nice fire perhaps? It'd sure feel nice.