Whether it’s an onsen (traditional hot spring) or public bath, there are certain do’s and dont’s to be aware of as a visitor in Japan.
During my time traveling around and even living abroad in Japan, I had the privilege of experiencing the whole spectrum of Japanese bathhouses and hot springs, otherwise known as onsen. Here is your simple guide to Japanese onsens and how to keep it all respectful and avoid embarrassing yourself!
Onsen vs Public Bath
First, a quick distinction – an onsen or “hot spring” is not the same as a public bath. While the former runs on natural spring water sourced directly from the mountains, the latter is typically heated via electrical or gas boiling methods. Given the greater benefits and more pleasant bathing experience of mineral-rich onsen baths, they are typically more expensive and located further out toward the mountains than public bathhouses, which can practically be found anywhere in the city and suburbs.
Rules & Etiquette
Regardless of whether you go to a natural hot spring (onsen) or a public bathhouse, the rules and etiquette expected by attendees remain largely the same. You will need to strip all the way down and keep all your clothes and personal belongings in the changing room lockers.
All you can bring to the bathing area is a small towel, which you can use to cover your private areas or, as many locals do, soak in cold water and place on your forehead to stay cool in the near-boiling water. It’s also a rule that you shower or wash your body before entering the onsen. This can typically be done using the provided sit-down showers common among all onsens and public bathhouses.
You may notice in the photo above that I am at an onsen, yet I am clothed in a yukata. This is a special foot onsen that is part of the onsen village at Ginzan, and the yukata is from the Matsumoto Ryokan, which I stayed at. The foot baths are situated along the streets and (thankfully) nudity is not required to use them. In fact, these unique onsens don’t have any particular rules or etiquette to abide by, except for the obvious one, which is to make sure you are barefoot upon dipping your feet in the water.
Hotel Community Baths
Some hotels and hostels in Japan offer free public baths as part of the accommodation package. I experienced this at Hotel Beaver in Osaka, where the communal bathhouse operated from morning to night. The same rules applied, of course, so you need to ensure nothing goes into the hot water except your naked self! Even if your accommodation doesn’t provide such a service, public bathhouses are pretty easy to find on Google Maps in Japan, and you can typically rock up without a booking and get in for 500 yen or less.
My Onsen Recommendations
While the public bathhouses or those provided by a hostel are nice and affordable, I’d recommend trying the “real deal” and heading to a luxurious ryokan or equivalent, where you can experience the best of the best in the onsen business. After all, a truly immersive onsen experience is more than just a hot bath, it encompasses beautiful scenery, fresh mountain air, cozy traditional yukata outfits, and delicious Japanese food!
My personal recommendations are Shuhoukaku Kogetsu for breathtaking Mt. Fuji views and tranquil outdoor onsen, and Matsumoto Ryokan in Ginzan for private onsen baths with sulfur for added health benefits.
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!