Onsen is one of Japan’s most unique charms. But an onsen is more than just a hot spring, so it’s best that you thoroughly prepare yourself by learning a few important tips before visiting a Japanese onsen.
There is a set of rules that you’d have to follow to appear respectful in an onsen. To avoid any social offense, check out the following tips so you can enjoy a worry-free onsen trip!
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What is Onsen in Japan?
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Onsen is a bathing facility that utilizes natural hot water from geothermally heated springs. Interestingly, not every hot spring can qualify to be made into an onsen. At the very least, the water must contain one of the 19 naturally occurring compounds, and the surface temperature must be at 25° Celsius.
The onsen water is renowned for its healing properties. Rich in minerals, it is said to improve skin health, support healthy blood circulation, and provide other health benefits.
Other than being beneficial to our health, an onsen is also often surrounded by beautiful landscapes that allow for a full, relaxing immersion. You can relax your body and your mind by enjoying the warm water and the picturesque view around you.
Onsen isn’t the only type of bathhouse you can find in Japan. You can also find Sento, though the two differ greatly. While onsen makes use of water heated by magma, Sento uses a manmade heater for the bathhouse.
Sento is usually located indoors and connected to a local accommodation. So, be careful not to mistake a Sento for an onsen!
Although the water is heated differently, both establishments share the same etiquette. Below, you’ll find travel tips you can use at either location.
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Japanese Onsen Travel Tips
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1. Take off Your Shoes Before Entering
In Japan, switching your shoes for slippers upon entering an establishment is a common custom, so you’re also expected to do the same in an onsen. Don’t worry about losing your shoes; you’ll be provided with a locker to store your shoes and belongings.
2. Remove any Garments
If you’re worried about how to go to an onsen in Japan, pay close attention to the following tips! To be able to use the hot spring in an onsen, you are not allowed to wear any type of garments. This might sound a bit vulgar to foreigners, but that’s just how the rules work at an onsen.
Not all onsens follow the same rules. Mixed-gender onsen, for example, allow female visitors to wear a special onsen swimsuit called yuami-gi. As for men, they are required to cover their private parts when stepping out of the onsen.
3. Take a Shower Before Going into the Hot Spring
Despite being a bathhouse, that does not mean you can use the hot spring to bathe in the traditional sense. Since onsen is a shared public space used by many people at once, you’re expected to shower beforehand to keep the water clean for everyone.
The showering area includes a tap, a showerhead, and a stool. Oftentimes, the shampoo and soap will also be provided for you. Be sure to shower while sitting on the provided stool for a bit more privacy.
Afterwards, you can continue showering as usual. Don’t forget to make sure that there is no soap or shampoo left on your body before stepping out of the shower!
In a more traditional onsen, you usually can’t find a showering area. Instead, you need to scoop some water from the hot spring pool and rinse your body thoroughly using the bucket provided.
Once you’ve cleaned yourself, you can enter the pool. Just be careful—the water in the hot spring is hot, so ease yourself slowly to adjust to the temperature.
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4. Don’t Let Your Hair into the Water
The next Japanese onsen travel tip applies if you have long hair: make sure your hair doesn’t get into the water. You can do so either by tying it up or wrapping it with the towel provided.
This rule also applies even to those of you who don’t have long hair or even any hair at all. Submerging your head in the water is strictly prohibited due to health concerns. Since onsen is used communally, having your head underwater can increase the risk of spreading illnesses between visitors.
5. Tattoos are Prohibited
The Japanese generally have a negative perception of tattoos. Body art is strongly associated with organized crime groups, commonly known as the Yakuza. Typically, Yakuza members have tattoos and are known to hold gatherings at onsen. These are the main reasons behind the tattoo ban at many onsen facilities.
If you have any tattoos, it is best to look up local onsen rules before visiting. Some of them might not implement the tattoo ban at all.
6. Keep Noises to a Minimum
Chatting while soaking in the hot water can certainly be enjoyable, but you have to remember that an onsen is a public space you share with strangers. So be sure to keep your voice down and be considerate of others who are there to relax.
7. Don’t Put Your Towel into the Water
Upon entering the onsen, you’ll be provided with a towel to dry off after soaking in the hot water. Since there’s no specific place to store the towel, people usually place it on top of their heads or wrap it around their heads while bathing.
Just be sure that the towel doesn’t fall into the water—or worse, don’t intentionally dip it in!
Who knows, there are so many rules to follow when visiting an onsen in Japan? But now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the know-how, you’ll be able to soak in the onsen like an expert. Just be sure not to deviate from the rules; the Japanese are quite strict about them!
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Article author: Sheila Lalita
Featured photo: Roméo A. via Unsplash
