bath areas as it seems one could linger for quite a while in a favorite one?

And I assume the men's area has corresponding features...separated of course?

Are you Japanese/American or American/Japanese? Thanks for sharing your knowledge about Japan.

is how to keep clean if you don't have access to a private bath.

Not being able to do basic hygiene just makes it all the more difficult to climb out of homelessness.

Try being at all a member of society is you're unable to bathe for weeks at a time.

America: where nothing is free because everything is for sale.

Even more sad is I can't imagine living in a community where you congregate with your neighbors over a lifetime

I've moved dozens of times in my lifetime. Where I live, third spaces are virtually non existent for adults outside of religious spaces, chain coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. Each move meant the loss of relationships that were not really replaced as I got older. I don't really know my neighbors beyond saying hello, complimenting each other's renovations, and commiserating about power outages. No one walks except handful of dog walkers who are out at sunrise, always walking with a purpose, not looking for new friends. (That would be very weird!) We get around in our cars. This state was designed that way on purpose. Cars cars cars. It's all so incredibly isolating, and I guess I didn't see it happening until I was completely isolated. Now, I look up and say, how sad.