First-Timer's Onsen Guide

An onsen is more than just a hot bath — it's a deeply ingrained part of Japanese culture, rooted in a tradition that goes back thousands of years. Derived from the Japanese word for "hot spring", onsens are geothermal baths that tap into the volcanic activity beneath the Earth's surface. These natural hot springs are scattered across Japan, each offering a unique bathing experience often surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

The appeal of onsens lies not only in their relaxing warmth but also in their mineral-rich waters, which are believed to have healing properties.
Now let's break down all the process of going into a public onsen in Japan by steps:

1. Preparation Before You Go

• Research: Check out the onsen's website for details on their tattoo policy, opening hours, bath types, and if they offer private or a pretty hard to find mixed-gender baths (you'll need a swimsuit for these). If there's no tattoo info, it's a good idea to call them up. If you're not comfortable speaking Japanese and the staff at the onsen does not speak English, you could ask your hotel's receptionist to help out or send an email using Google Translate.
  *More info about tattoos at the end of this page

• Health Check: Ensure that you don't have any health conditions that might affect your experience as onsens can be intense due to high temperatures.

• What to Bring: Every onsen provides the bare minimum of toiletries, including shampoo, shower gel, and almost always hair conditioner, available at each shower seat. Yes, you'll likely need to sit on a chair while showering, but more on that later. The only items you might want to bring are towels—a small one and a large one. However, I wouldn't recommend bringing your own (unless you live in Japan) because in 99% of cases, you can rent a large towel for a small fee of 200-300 yen. This avoids the hassle of carrying a large towel with you and then having to carry a wet one after your visit. If you don't have a small onsen towel from a previous visit, you'll need to purchase one at the reception desk (the small ones are not available for rent). They're usually quite affordable (200-400 yen) and necessary for various reasons, which will be explained later. Additionally, each onsen often has a unique design for their small towels, making them nice mementos from your onsen experience.
  

2. Upon Arrival

• Shoe Locker: Upon entering, you'll typically need to remove your shoes and store them in a provided locker. Some lockers might require a 100 yen coin to operate, so it's a good idea to keep a few coins handy for this purpose.

• Reception: Check in at the reception, ask for a small/large/or both towels and pay the entrance fee. At this point, you might also receive a locker key for your belongings. If you don't receive a locker key there, you'll likely find them hanging from available lockers in the changing rooms. In some cases, there might not be lockers, but rather shelves with baskets where you can place all your belongings. Larger onsen complexes might offer a yukata for rent, allowing you to wear this comfy traditional garment in various areas of the facility, such as restaurants, massage chair zones, or library areas with books and manga.

• Changing Room Etiquette: Before proceeding with this one, a quick Japanese lesson is required. You will face two separate entrances for a men's and women's changing rooms. Each of them usually designated with two signs
  男　ー　men

  女　ー　women
  Store your belongings, large towel, and all your clothes in the locker. Yes, every single item of clothing. The only thing you should keep with you is a small towel, which you might have purchased at the reception desk. Remember, nudity is the norm here; it's part of the onsen experience.

  If the idea of being fully naked in a public setting makes you a bit uneasy, take comfort in knowing that nobody's going to be paying you any mind. Public bathing has been a staple of Japanese culture for centuries, and for the locals, it's just another part of their daily routine. Much like an office worker walking to their job, they're focused on their own thoughts and destinations, hardly noticing the tourists around them. Rest assured, your presence as a non-Japanese visitor in the onsen is likely to go unremarked. Think of it as an opportunity to blend in and experience the culture from the inside.

  However, if you're still feeling a bit shy, it's okay to use the small towel to cover yourself as you move around the facility. Just remember, this towel should never enter the water. While you might occasionally spot someone dipping their towel into the bath, know that this is frowned upon and considered poor etiquette. Keep your towel out of the water, and you'll be respecting the onsen's traditions just fine.

• Remember to put your mobile phone on silent mode before leaving it in a locker or a basket in a changing room.
  

3. Pre-Bath Cleansing

• Showering: Before entering the onsen, you must thoroughly clean and rinse your body at the showering stations. This is a crucial step to keep the onsen water clean for everyone.
  The small onsen towel, known for its thin fabric, can be quite versatile. You can use it with shower gel to help cleanse your body more effectively. Thanks to its thin material, it's easy to rinse and squeeze dry, allowing it to be reused for other purposes afterward. Remember, this is just a handy tip for those interested in maximizing the use of their onsen towel, but it's by no means a common or necessary practice among onsen-goers.

• Hair: Ensure your hair is tied up and kept out of the water if it's long enough to touch the water.
  

4. Entering the Onsen

• Entering the Water: Slowly enter the onsen to acclimate to the temperature. The water can be much hotter than typical bath water.

• Soaking Etiquette: Quietly soak and enjoy the serenity. Onsens are typically places for quiet relaxation, not for swimming or splashing.

• Small Towel: Your small towel can be placed on your head or beside the pool, but it should never touch the onsen water.

• When moving from one bath to another in an onsen with an outdoor area, it's a thoughtful practice to rinse your feet right before stepping into the next bath (just remember to pour the water outside the bath). Typically, there's a plastic or wooden ladle near each onsen bath designated for this purpose. While it may not be a common practice, doing so is a subtle way to show your respect for onsen etiquette. However, if all the baths are indoor, there's no need to rinse your feet between them, as pouring water on the floor may make it more slippery.
  

5. After the Bath

• Drying Off: Lightly dry off with your small towel before returning to the locker room to avoid dripping water everywhere.

• Hydration: Rehydrate after soaking, as the hot water can dehydrate you. Many onsens have water stations or vending machines.
  

6. Additional Tips

• Tattoos: In Japan, tattoos are often associated with the Yakuza (Japanese mafia), and many onsens have policies against them. Check the onsen's policy beforehand, or consider using a private onsen if you have visible tattoos.
  There are generally three scenarios with public onsens:
  A. Tattoos are not allowed at all.
  B. The onsen is completely tattoo-friendly, regardless of the size and placement of your tattoos.
  C. Tattoos are allowed if they can be covered with a special sticker. Each onsen has its own rules about the size of tattoos that can be covered, and you can usually buy or receive these stickers for free at the reception desk.

  *Don't assume an onsen is tattoo-friendly just because it's a mixed-gender facility where swimsuits are required. However, you're good to go if your tattoo can be hidden under a swimsuit 😏).

• Health Precautions: Avoid staying in the hot water too long to prevent dizziness or overheating. Listen to your body.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Respect the privacy of others. Avoid staring, and if you want to speak with someone, do so very quietly and in soft tones.

• No phones: As a final note, remember that using cellphones 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 could draw unwelcome attention, so it's best to keep your phone tucked away (and remember to keep it in silent mode as well).