Etiquette

The "Official" Basics

① “Hydrate before and after bathing. Bathing can deplete your body’s water content.”

② “Avoid bathing after drinking alcohol. It can lead to falls and dehydration.”

③ “Please remove your underwear or swimsuit before entering the bath.”

④ “Pour water over yourself 3 to 5 times before entering the bath.
This helps prevent sudden spikes in blood pressure.”

⑤ “Wash your body before entering the bathtub.”

⑥ “Do not dive into the bathtub.”

⑦ “Do not wash your body inside the bathtub.”

⑧ “Do not put towels in the bathtub. This is to maintain the cleanliness of the bath.”

⑨ “Do not swim in the bathtub.”

⑩ “Do not wash clothes or underwear in the bathtub.”

⑪ “Wipe your body before stepping out of the dressing room.”

⑫ “Please respect the etiquette and enjoy the hot springs.”

Bit More Insight

Suppose the above could be called the “12 tenets” of onsen bathing. Can’t go wrong with following all these steps for the best and arguably the most true experience. Though granted for some of these points might feel obvious or excessive. Thus thought it would be good to share some insight as well from visiting countless of onsen over the years. Let’s break them down:

①

Hydrate before and after bathing. Bathing can deplete your body’s water content

This tends to be true for sauna and other heated places as well. Just good for your overall feeling since will be sweating quite a lot. Can even bring a water bottle to the dressing room and go for water breaks if using onsen longer times.

②

Avoid bathing after drinking alcohol. It can lead to falls and dehydration.           

Although over the years have come across intoxicated people inside onsen. In terms of your health it really depends on your own judgement. Though in terms of other people I would hands down say it is important to be respectful and orderly..  curcial traits for anyone visiting onsen.

③

Please remove your underwear or swimsuit before entering the bath.                    

Reckon this is what unfortunately discourages many to visit onsen. Will write more about it detail. But in essence, bluntly speaking.. nobody really cares. People here do not stare or care. Onsen is relaxing and almost meditative space. Although if do try to go in with clothes, someone will make a remark.

④

Pour water over yourself 3 to 5 times before entering the bath.                                    

Often see locals doing this and for the longest time kinda avoided. But oh boy did I miss out. They have the small buckets always around the onsen bath, can use them to take water from bath, crouch little bit away form baths’ edge and then pour water over yourself. Makes a huge difference (feels less hot when going in)! 

⑤

Wash your body before entering the bathtub.                                                                                 

This is a must and just respectful thing to do. I usually do this before step 4. First clean myself properly, then pour onsen water over myself ~3 times and then dip in. Sometimes do see locals who just do step 4 and skip this one. This option I reckon is fine if you already visited onsen before (but I still just quickly shower even then, for the “show” of it).

⑥

Do not dive into the bathtub.                                                                                                                                      

Think this is self explanatory. If visiting with children then would really urge to keep them from diving/swimming as well. This is found to be very rude as the main point of onsen is to relax and hard to do so if someone is playing with the water (sorry kids, I know staying in one place and just “soaking” is a bit of a downer).

⑦

Do not wash your body inside the bathtub.                                                                                               

Steps 4 and 5 are just for this reason. Since the onsen baths are used by other people as well, then making sure to be all washed up and clean before entering is the most considerate appoach. Nice and clean place to visit for everyone 🙂

⑧

Do not put towels in the bathtub. This is to maintain the cleanliness of the bath.

Usually get 2 towels: 1 small, and 1 large body towel. The small one has few functions and is taken with you to the onsen. It can be used as “modesty” towel when in and out the area, and also as a cooling towel (make it wet with cold shower) to put on your head. Never should it go inside the bath itself. Large body towel stays in the changing room.

⑨

Do not swim in the bathtub.                                                                                                                              

Basically the same as point 6. Splasing water, swimming, diving etc are a not good. I think if no other people or private onsen then slightly more leeway. But most important is to keep your self safe, the surrounding area clean and just kinda following that respectful nature of onsen visit. 

⑩

Do not wash clothes or underwear in the bathtub.                                                                        

Well that is an interesting one.. suppose this of one of the tenets since there have been a fair share of experiences with people who do this. 

⑪

Wipe your body before stepping out of the dressing room.                                                                

The small towel! I know not easy, especially since already wet. But can “squeeze” it dry a bit and then get “most” of the water off your body. Then head to changing room and get the big towel for a full body drying. In some places can also bring the big one into the onsen area, but there is usually no place to put it really, usually people keep the big one out.

⑫

Please respect the etiquette and enjoy the hot springs.                                                     

Aye, this is the most important bit!
If reasonably well following the 1-11 tenets then everyone is bound to have a great time in onsen! There really is not much to it, doing it the first time, then really realizing how straighforward and enjoyable the whole “ritual” and experience is 🙂

Summary and few other thoughts

Following the  “12 tenets” of onsen bathing is a sure way either kickstart or refine the whole experience. In many ways bathing in onsen is really like a ritual or a meditative/relaxing experience. The latter part is really made more true if people tend to follow these points, respect them and each others experience (which from my experience is almost always the case!). 

 

About the naked nature of onsen bathing. This I think is a cultural thing and for some no issue, for some takes time and for some they might have completely their own reasons. Everything is valid, whatever the reason might be. Though onsen is not really a socializing or social gathering place (though more countryside local towns do have that aspect as well, where locals after work for instnace go to onsen to relax.. if visit such places then people are still so respectful and might even strike up a conversation from curiosity). But usually its friends, families or just people by themselves that are the main people who visit onsen and sometimes quietly chit chat amongst themselves, if at all. People tend to be respectful of others, since everyone who do visit onsen usually are after the same thing: unwind and relax, enjoy the unique water quality traits, soak in minerals, rejuvenate and recharge. 

 

Though if modesty is still the main barrier, then few suggestions: 


 – For the first time experience would recommend a ryokan (smaller one, or one with private onsen availability).

 

 – Small, usually family run, ryokans tend to have less guests. The evening time is usually the most quiet or during the dinner time when people have kaiseki. These are good times to explore the onsen and give it a go!

 

 – Ryokans with private onsen. These are not too many, so always good to double check before booking if available on property or not. Usually when doing check-in can then also a book a time for a private onsen if they have one (can be free of charge or paid; and usually around 45-60 minutes for one booking). Private onsen are great options to also visit with partner or family, since most public onsen these days are gender separated. Also there are ryokans/hotels that offer in-room private onsen as well, though they “tend to be” far more expensive.

 

 – The small towel! Also could be considered as a “modesty” towel. Can cover private areas with the towel and hands if feel like it. When moving around the changing room and onsen baths then can easilty cover yourself for the most part. Many do this, so absolutely fine and no ones blinks an eye (just remember not to dip the towel inside the actual bath itself).


 – Finally, once tried some of these things or eased yourself into this new environment then will likely see that there is really not much to it at all and actually very enjoyable experience as a whole.

Happy Onsen’ing! 🙂