TV Show spotlight
Hiru no Sento Zake
42-year-old Utsumi Takayuki works for Second Division of Hinode Advertising's Planning and Sales Department. He was transferred from the General Affairs Department one year ago, but he keeps delivering the worst sales performance. Utsumi is not eloquent, poor at dealing with things and is a pushover too. He always gets reprimanded by his boss Dozono Shoko. His only pleasure is skipping work, going to the public bath in the day on a weekday and gulping a beer down his dry throat after that. Utsumi cannot resist the temptation when he sees a public bath during working hours despite his sense of guilt. On this day too, he calls his company with the excuse that he has urgent business and walks through the door of a public bath in high spirits. When he pays the fee, takes off his suit and enters the bath, the best moment awaits him.
Insights
Plot Summary
A salaryman, tired of his monotonous life, discovers the simple joy of visiting public bathhouses and enjoying a cold drink afterwards. He embarks on a personal journey across Japan, seeking out unique onsen experiences and the perfect post-bath refreshment.
Critical Reception
The film was generally well-received for its charming premise and its exploration of simple pleasures. Critics appreciated its relaxed pacing and the escapism it offered, finding it a warm and relatable slice-of-life story.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its gentle humor and relatable protagonist.
Appreciated for its serene depiction of Japanese onsen culture.
Found to be a heartwarming and relaxing viewing experience.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'Hiru no Sento Zake' is not widely available through Google's aggregated review system.
Awards & Accolades
None notable.
Fun Fact
The film is based on a manga series of the same name by Kōji Kumeta.
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