Touring The Only Japanese Bathhouse In The United States | Panama Hotel - Japantown Seattle

Let's go back in time...
In this video I join a couple of hotel guests on a tour of the Japanese bathhouse at Panama Hotel at Japantown in Seattle. The tour was conducted by hotel owner Jan Johnson.
The Japanese bathhouse is the only known bathhouse in the United States, and Panama Hotel dates back to 1910. If you're into history and culture, this hotel is definitely worth visiting and staying at. The hotel itself is a living museum.
For more information about Panama Hotel and the bathhouse visit: www.panamahotel...
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A little bit about me...
My name is Dennis aka Lao Ocean (also aka Dr. Wtpho, but more about that later) and I'm a Lao American KZbinr based in Seattle, WA. Seattle has been my home since 1980. My videos and vlogs consist of walking tours in Seattle and abroad, travel, and things related to the Lao diaspora. I drink way too much coffee, eat pho 20PHO7, and also make food and food review videos. ☕️ ✌️
Contact me on Instragram: @lao.ocean
To support the Lao Ocean coffee fund and this channel, click here: / laoocean

[@MadStatter]

I had a comedian friend stay at this hotel many years back. It was a wild night at that hotel...a story best left untold. But I ended up meeting this owner and hearing tales of the Japanese bath below the hotel. I learned SO MUCH SEATTLE HISTORY that night. The owner of this hotel is a true treasure of Seattle lore. Words cannot describe how stoked I am to actually SEE the baths she spoke of that night! Mahalo nui loa for this video!!!!

[@Karmahandle]

Back in the 70's there used to be a small Japanese Restaurant called Aya's on that corner where the Ichiban Restaurant sign is located. Students from Hawai like me that attended Seattle U used to regularly eat there. Their beef teriyaki was the bomb. Never knew there was a bath house in that building. Thanks for the tour.

[@GRizzle206]

My family used to take my grandparents to Ichiban when it was open. I remember as a kid going there and having Saba all the time. It closed I believe when I was like 15 I wanna say, so it's been like 15 years since it closed. One of the best Japanese restaurants around. Still bummed its closed.

[@deloreswapenski8209]

You take us to the neatest places! Thanks so much.💘

[@SeahawkMoments]

Cool video, though I was thinking it was going to be an operational bathhouse! Nonetheless driven by there a ton of times and was glad to see what’s inside. Curious what the guy in the coffee shop was trying to profess so passionately at the end of the video?

[@gorviv529]

That was cool. Ms. Johnson has a wealth of information. What happens when she is gone? Does she have someone who will care for the property like she does?

[@stewartsta1]

Great share. what a treat

[@loeyminske3459]

Yes, reminds me of the bathhouse in Okinawa that we went into. Had to wash before getting in the bath and you are just naked in front of all these strangers! They also had a sauna that you could go into afterwards if you wanted to, I didn't. Then out into the lobby with just a towel and you could get a massage in another room, which I did. They also had a dumb waiter that went down to a restaurant and you could order food to eat while you were in the lobby with your towel on! Such an experience! Will never forget it.

[@MikesFoggyIdea]

So cool, glad they are able to preserve it.

[@gi169]

Nice tour, good tapping at everybody. Thanks Mr. Ocean...

[@LaoOcean]

Thanks for joining the tour!

[@robertaronson671]

Thoroughly enjoyed.

[@melodymyers8941]

One of my favorite videos. I thoroughly enjoy your content!!

[@BellevueGrl27]

Wow! Such an amazing part of history. Thank you for sharing this. I would love to see the rooms at the hotel. I'm not sure if it is still around, but many yrs ago, I got to tour The Camlin, spooky, but really cool as well, vintage doorknobs, the cloud room. Seattle has some tales to tell.

[@LaoOcean]

Ooh I have to check out Camlin.

[@MadStatter]

@@LaoOcean Rooftop at the Camlin is amazing - you MUST go check it out!!!

[@justinjones8078]

I didn't expect it, but that was fascinating. Great video!

[@nancyhuffman8149]

Amazing

[@LaoOcean]

Let’s go back in time… ⏱☕️

[@candismith4080]

Amazing and thankful that this is still here as a part of Seattle's history especially. I would love to see more content like this, is it possible you could film the Underground Tour? I took it once about 30 years ago and remember it was quite enlightening to know how Seattle became the city it was and is.

[@tommytacoma8247]

Wow great job !! Love it !

[@TheJackEbrown]

Wow! There however is a Tokyo Sauna in Billings Montana but I think its more of a massage parlor!LOL How or who pays for the electricity and lighting in the defunct Seattle Sauna?

[@rosenelson8023]

Oh my the Ghost Hunters would have a field day in that building .😨

[@gaybear5328]

I heard it was once a brothel for the Asian lovers!

[@LaoOcean]

Are you pho real?

[@gi169]

@@LaoOcean the spring things you were calling mattresses were referred to as seattle sewing machines in the Seattle undergroumd tour. Just saying...

[@LaoOcean]

@@gi169 Thanks for clarify!

[@gi169]

@@LaoOcean 😄😃😀😊

[@rachelhenson3579]

This is incredible! Thank you for recording and sharing. Is Ms. Johnson raising money for its preservation?

[@LaoOcean]

I would contact Ms. Johnson to find out for certain. I think she could use as much support as possible right now. I posted a link in the description.

[@rachelhenson3579]

@@LaoOcean thank you!!

[@99cocota]

Hi　from Japan！　Thank you for precious　memorｙ！I felt like the time had stopped there( ﾟДﾟ)　I　went to Bainbridge Island in 2019 　There is also a history of Japanese immigrants there

[@ceciramirez2141]

Fascinating video too bad some of the places inside bath house too dark would of loved to see clearly and I’m sure she had interesting information but her audio was muffled and hard to hear and understand

[@LaoOcean]

Yeah initially I thought I would be the only guest. ☹️