How to Take an Onsen?｜8 Rules & Manners of Japanese Onsen Bath

The etiquette of visiting hot springs(Onsen) bath in Japan

Today, we will be introducing the etiquette of visiting hot springs(Onsen) bath in Japan.

It is no exaggeration to say that Japan is known as the World No.1 hot spring country.
There are 2983 Onsen (hot spring) towns, and there are 27297 hot spring locations all over Japan.

There is a description about hot springs in Japan’s oldest history book, ‘Kojiki’, that was compiled in 700 A.D. From this we can tell that hot spring culture has been with Japanese people for a long time.

In the long history of Onsen, Japan’s own hot spring culture has changed, and in that culture, there are manners and etiquette that people follow to try not to cause any troubles for other hot spring users.

Let’s see the manners and etiquette of using hot springs in Japan with a cute illustration by artist, yuuki.

Before that…
So many people are questioning whether they can go to hot springs in Japan if they have a tattoo.
We, ‘Shima Onsen Kashiwaya Ryokan’, are tattoo friendly. Therefore, anyone with or without tattoos can enjoy all of our hot springs. However, there can be no doubt that many hot spring places do not accept people with tattoos.
Please read the article ‘hot spring and tattoo’ for the further details.

Let’s see the manners and etiquette!

Be Naked! No swim suit or towel inside the buthtub.

It is Japanese traditional culture of Japan, everyone goes into a bath together
nakedly.
Don’t be shameful!
Let’s enjoy together Onsen Bath!
If you will hesitate, don’t worry because we have three private open air baths.
Further, you should not put your towel or any soap into the bathtub.

Be clean! Wash your body first.

Before entering the bathtub, it is customary to lightly wash your lower body outside the tub.
After that, you get in the bathtub and soak for a while.
Then you get out of the bathtub and scrub all over your body with soap.
When you have finished washing yourself, you get in the bathtub again and enjoy a good soak.

No washing inside the bathtub.

There is a space provided for washing as well as a bathtub and shower.
Please wash your body and hair at the washing space.
And as we all know, you never wash your cloths inside the bathtub.

No drunk person inside the bathtub.

Usually, the temperature of Onsen is at least 40degrees (40℃).
So it is not good for your health for heavy drunk person to take or soak the bathtub.
To enjoy Onsen safely, please do not take the bath after drinking too much.

No glass inside the area.

As we all know, the people who take Onsen are all naked.
You never bring the dangerous or fragile things, like glass, inside the bathroom and locker room nether.

Tie up your hair if you have long hair.

Before entering the bathtub, it is customary to tie up your hair if you have long hair.
We share hot spring water together, so it is important to keep the water clean.

Wipe your body before entering the dressing room.

It’s good manners to wipe your body lightly with your wash-towel when when going from the bath room to the dressing room.
These manners come from the fact that you are not the only person to use the bath water in the tub.
After wiping your body completely with your bath-towel in the locker room, you could wear “YUKATA”, bathing clothing, a kind of KIMONO.

No running. No swimming.

You’d better walk slowly inside the bathroom because the floor may be very slippery because of ingredient of Onsen.
In addition, you never swim even if the bathtub is too big.

How was it?
The major purpose of taking Onsen is not only to wash one’s body but also to rest and relax by soaking Onsen.
Please enjoy Japanese hot springs(onsen) with comfort by following these etiquette and manners.
Thank you.

If you interested in Japanese style Onsen, Please click here
Shima Onsen Kashiwaya Ryokan >