In the Kamakura period, there appeared some temples and shrines that allowed the public to use 'yokudo' (bath halls) at no charge, such facilities having been established there in order for Buddhist monks to purify themselves.
鎌倉時代になると僧侶達が身を清める為に、寺社に設置されていた「浴堂」を一般にも無料で開放する寺社が現れた。