First-Timer's Onsen Guide

An onsen is more than just a hot bath — it’s a deeply rooted part of Japanese culture, with a tradition that goes back thousands of years. The word onsen means "hot spring" in Japanese, and these natural geothermal baths tap into the volcanic activity beneath the Earth's surface. Scattered all across Japan, each onsen offers a unique bathing experience, often set against stunning natural landscapes.

The appeal of onsens lies not only in their soothing warmth but also in their mineral-rich waters, which are believed to have healing properties.

Now, let’s break down the entire process of visiting a public onsen in Japan, step by step:

1. Preparation before you go

• Research first: Check the onsen’s website for details like their tattoo policy, opening hours, bath types, and whether they offer private baths or the rare mixed-gender baths (you’ll need a swimsuit for those).
  If there’s no clear information about tattoos, it’s a good idea to call them. If you’re not comfortable speaking Japanese and the onsen staff doesn’t speak English, you can ask your hotel’s receptionist to help, or send an email using Google Translate.
  *More info about tattoos is at the end of this page.

• Health check: Make sure you don’t have any health conditions that could make the onsen experience risky, as the high temperatures can be intense.

• What to bring:
  Most onsens provide the basics — you’ll usually find shampoo, shower gel, and almost always hair conditioner at every shower station. Yes, you’ll probably need to sit on a small chair while showering (more on that later).

  The only thing you might want to bring is a towel — or two: a small towel and a large one. But honestly, unless you live in Japan, I don’t recommend bringing your own. In 99% of cases, you can rent a large towel at the reception for a small fee (around 200–300 yen). It saves you from the hassle of carrying around a big towel and then having to deal with it wet after your visit.

  As for the small towel, you’ll usually need to buy it at the reception (usually they’re not available for rent). Luckily, they’re inexpensive — usually around 200–400 yen — and actually a nice souvenir! Many onsens have their own designs on these small towels, so they make for a fun little memento from your visit.
  

2. Upon Arrival

• Shoe locker: As soon as you enter the onsen building, you’ll usually need to take off your shoes and store them in a shoe locker near the entrance. Some lockers require a 100-yen coin to use, so it’s a good idea to keep a few coins handy just in case.

• Reception: Check in at the reception, pay the entrance fee, and if you need them, ask for a small towel, a large towel, or both. At this point, you might also receive a locker key for your belongings. If they don’t give you a key here, don’t worry — you’ll likely find keys already attached to the available lockers in the changing room (in this case you are free to choose any locker).

  In some places, there might not be lockers at all, but instead shelves with baskets where you can leave your things.

  At larger onsen complexes, you might also have the option to rent a yukata — a light, comfortable traditional garment. You can wear it around different areas of the facility, like the restaurants, massage chair zones, or even cozy library corners filled with books and manga.

• Changing Room Etiquette: Before we go any further, a quick Japanese lesson: you’ll see two separate entrances for the men’s and women’s changing rooms, marked by these signs:

  • 男 — Men

  • 女 — Women

  Once inside, store all your belongings — your clothes, large towel, and anything else — in the locker. Yes, every single item of clothing. The only thing you should bring with you is your small towel, which you may have purchased at reception. Remember, full nudity is completely normal in an onsen — it’s just part of the experience.

  If the idea of being fully naked in a public setting feels a bit uncomfortable, take comfort in knowing that no one is going to pay you any attention. Public bathing has been part of Japanese culture for centuries, and for locals, it’s just another part of daily life. Think of it like people commuting to work — they’re focused on their own routine, not on you. As a foreign visitor, your presence will likely go entirely unnoticed. See it as an opportunity to truly experience the culture from the inside.

  If you still feel a little shy, it’s perfectly okay to use your small towel to cover yourself as you walk around the facility. Just remember: this towel should never enter the water. While you might spot someone dipping their towel into the bath, know that this is considered poor etiquette. Keep your towel out of the water, and you’ll be respecting the onsen’s traditions just fine.

  Before locking away your things, remember to put your mobile phone on silent mode. Even if your phone is in the locker or basket, it’s good manners to keep it silent to avoid disturbing others.
  

3. Pre-Bath Cleansing

• Showering: Before entering the onsen, you must thoroughly wash and rinse your body at the showering stations. This is an essential step to keep the onsen water clean for everyone.

  Your small onsen towel, with its thin fabric, is actually pretty versatile. You can use it with shower gel to help wash your body more effectively. Because of its thin material, it’s easy to rinse and squeeze dry, so you can reuse it afterward for other purposes. This is just a handy tip if you want to make the most of your onsen towel — not a rule or common practice among onsen-goers, but useful to know!

• Hair: If you have long hair, make sure to tie it up and keep it out of the water. Letting your hair touch the bathwater is considered poor etiquette.
  

4. Entering the Onsen

• Entering the water:
  Slowly ease yourself into the onsen to get used to the temperature. The water is usually much hotter than a typical bath, so take your time to acclimate.

• Soaking etiquette:
  Relax and soak quietly — onsens are places for calm, peaceful soaking, not for swimming or splashing around. Enjoy the tranquility of the space.

• Small towel:
  You can place your small towel on your head or leave it on the side of the bath, but never let it touch the onsen water. Keeping the towel out of the water is an important part of onsen etiquette.

• Moving between baths (especially outdoors):
  If you’re visiting an onsen with an outdoor area, it’s a nice gesture to rinse your feet before stepping into the next bath. You’ll usually find a small plastic or wooden ladle nearby for this purpose. Just remember to pour the water outside the bath, not into it.
  This isn’t a strict rule, and not everyone does it, but it’s a subtle way to show respect for onsen etiquette. However, if all the baths are indoors, you don’t need to rinse your feet between them — pouring water on the floor inside could make it slippery.
  

5. After the Bath

• Drying Off: Before heading back to the locker room, lightly dry off with your small towel to avoid dripping water everywhere. You don’t need to be completely dry — just enough to keep the floor from getting slippery.

• Hydration: Soaking in hot water can dehydrate you, so make sure to rehydrate after your bath. Many onsens have water stations or vending machines nearby, so take a moment to drink some water and cool down.
  

6. Additional tips

• Tattoos:
  In Japan, tattoos are still often associated with the Yakuza (Japanese mafia), and many onsens have policies against them. Always check the onsen’s policy in advance, or consider booking a private onsen if you have visible tattoos.

  Generally, there are three scenarios in public onsens:
  A. Tattoos are not allowed at all.
  B. The onsen is completely tattoo-friendly, no matter the size or placement of your tattoos.
  C. Tattoos are allowed if they can be covered with a special sticker. Each onsen has its own rules about tattoo size and coverage, and you can usually buy these stickers or even receive them for free at the reception desk.

  Tip: Don’t assume an onsen is tattoo-friendly just because it’s a mixed-gender facility where swimsuits are required. But if your tattoo is small enough to be hidden under your swimsuit, you’re good to go 😏

• Health precautions:
  Don’t stay in the hot water too long, as it can lead to dizziness or overheating. Listen to your body and take breaks when you need to.

• Respect the privacy of others:
  Avoid staring at people, and if you want to speak with someone, do so quietly and in a soft tone. Onsens are places for relaxation, and keeping noise to a minimum is appreciated.

• No large bags or suitcases:
  Lockers are typically small and not designed for bulky luggage. A small day bag is much more convenient.

• Removing any jewelry before bathing is recommended:
  Metal accessories can heat up quickly in the hot water and become uncomfortable (or even cause burns). Plus, the minerals in the water can tarnish certain metals.

• No phones:
  As a final reminder, using your phone is strictly prohibited from the moment you enter the changing room. This rule applies not just to taking photos, but even to checking your phone. Even a quick glance at your screen in the changing room can draw unwelcome attention, so it’s best to keep your phone tucked away (and make sure it’s on silent mode too).