How to bathe in the Hot Springs of Japan

The thermal bath sources like onsen, sento is undoubtedly one of the places highly sought after by tourists and greatly valued by the Japanese. Inexperienced people may have difficulties if it is their first time at the bathhouse or in the onsen. There are some rules on how to behave inside an onsen or sento. For this, we created this article giving some tips and tutorials on how to take this bath without feeling embarrassed.

The onsen (温泉) are natural volcanic hot springs that are appreciated and help to relax, bringing numerous health benefits. We have previously written an article detailing the Onsen in Japan.

Basic rules for entering an onsen

There are some basic rules to follow inside an onsen:

• You must wash your body before entering the water;
• Do not disturb others, nor swim in the water;
• Women with long hair must tie it up;
• You should not put the towel in the water (some places allow it);

There are also some important rules and factors that you should not forget:

• Take off your shoes – Onsen always have traditional floors (tatami) in the changing rooms, entering with shoes on these floors is a major cause of embarrassment. There will always be a place for you to take off your shoes before entering the changing room or even the location;
• Do not enter the wrong bath – Bathhouses are usually divided by gender, most of the time the women’s bath is represented by a red towel with the kanji for woman (女) and the men’s bath will be represented by a blue towel and the kanji for man (男);
• Remove your clothes – Practically all onsen prohibit entering with clothes in the bath. So do not be embarrassed to be naked around others. Take off your clothes and place them in the baskets or lockers provided. The only thing you can take 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 you to enter 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 them, or if they are small, try to hide them in some way. I do not 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 plenty of water before taking a bath. You can avoid dehydration and sweating due to the heat of the springs;
• Before entering the bath rinse your body to get used to the temperature. During the cold season, start warming your hands and feet first, and then gradually warm the rest of your body. (Blood pressure is generally higher before the bath.)
• When leaving the bath simply drying off with a towel will be enough. The sodium content will preserve the skin’s natural moisture. But exit calmly.
• 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 making a good impression

In the 1990s, foreign sailors drunk caused some problems in several 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 racist.

But that is the past, and the Japanese enjoy seeing foreign visitors visiting the onsen and learning their culture. These etiquette rules will help you impress the locals and not feel embarrassed or cause confusion.