Bathing hot springs like onsen and sento are undoubtedly among the most sought-after places by tourists and highly valued by the Japanese. Inexperienced people may have difficulties if it's their first time in a bathhouse or hot spring. There are some guidelines on how to behave inside an onsen or sento. For this, we created this article providing some tips and tutorials on how to enjoy this bath without embarrassment.
The onsen (温泉) are natural volcanic hot springs that are enjoyed and help to relax, bringing numerous health benefits. We have previously written an article detailing the Onsen in Japan.
Table of Content
Basic rules for entering an onsen
There are some basic rules to follow inside an onsen:
- You should wash your body before entering the water;
- Do not disturb others, nor swim in the water;
- Women with long hair should tie it up;
- Do not put the towel in the water (some places allowitem);
There are also some important rules and factors that you should not forget:
- Take off your shoes - Onsen always have traditional flooring (tatami) in the changing rooms, entering with shoes on this flooring is a great cause of shame. There will always be a place for you to take off your shoes before entering the changing room or even at the location;
- Don't enter the wrong bathroom - Bathrooms are usually divided by gender, most of the time the women's bathroom is represented by the red towel with the kanji for woman (女) and the men's will be represented by the blue towel and the kanji for man (男);
- Removing your clothes - Almost all onsen prohibit entering the bath with clothes on. So don't be embarrassed to be naked around others. Take off your clothes and put them in the baskets or lockers provided. The only thing you can bring with you to the onsen is a small towel, which should not get wet and can be placed on your head;
- Shower first - No onsen allows entry into the bath without washing first. Some provide a small stool with a showerhead. Others you will find a bucket with
- Tattoo - In Japan, some places prohibit entry with tattoos. You should try to find a place that allows entry with it, or if it's small, try to hide it somehow. I don't recommend it; it can cause problems;
Of course there are small differences in the rules from onsen to onsen. They are usually posted on the walls in Japanese. See what people do to imitate them.
Tips for bathing in hot springs
- Drink large amounts of water before taking a bath. You can avoid dehydration and sweating due to the heat of the 温泉;
- Before entering the bath rinse your body to get used to the temperature. During the cold season, start by warming your hands and feet first, and then gradually warm the rest of your body. (Blood pressure is generally higher before the bath.)
- After leaving the bath simply drying with a towel will be enough. The sodium content will preserve the skin's natural moisture. But take your time when you go out.
- After the bath you will feel relaxed, but your body is tired, so it is recommended that you rest for 30 to 60 minutes, stay hydrated, and enjoy a good meal;
The importance of impressing
In the 1990s, foreign sailors drunk caused some issues in various onsen in a port city in Hokkaido. The onsen responded by banning all foreigners from entering. This ended up causing an uproar throughout Japan, and some foreigners found such policies to be racist.
But that's in the past, and the Japanese like to see foreign visitors visiting the onsen and learning their culture. These etiquette rules will help you impress the locals and avoid embarrassment or causing confusion.