An onsen is a Japanese bath house. There are rules to follow and high standards to keep up with. Because of this, going to an onsen for the first time can be a daunting experience!
Luckily, these rules are clear and very simple. As long as you know what to expect and how to behave, you will have a great time.
Read on to learn what you need to know!
A Beginners Guide To Onsen
Onsen Bath House Vs Onsen Ryokan
There are two types of onsens:
Onsen Bath House
Onsen Ryokan
The first is only a bathhouse, while the second is like a hotel with an onsen attached. At a regular onsen, there are typically communal baths separated by gender. There might be some private facilities at these establishments, but don’t count on it.
The second is a traditional kind of accommodation where you can stay the night. These will have the traditional tatami flooring, simple decor, and futon beds to use.
In these establishments, there might be private rooms to rent, maybe even with a bathtub in your room! Please note that not all ryokans will have these facilities.
It will be clearly stated if they do or not! You should also know that if you’re entering an onsen facility, you’re going to be completely naked. If that isn’t for you, then this isn’t the place to go!
Tattoo Rules
Unfortunately, because tattoos have historically been associated with yakuza, they are generally prohibited. This means that anyone with any kind of visible tattoo can be turned away because of it.
You might be able to cover your tattoo with skin-colored, waterproof bandages. However, it’s up to the onsen to decide if this is suitable or not. Some facilities are very strict, while others are not.
You can research onsens that accept tattoos if this is going to be an issue for you. Always do your research before going, and always respect their rules and regulations. It doesn’t matter if you’re a foreigner or not, the rules are the same for everyone.
Rules Regarding Children
There are some important rules when it comes to children. A child who is 10 or older must go to the onsen bath that is for their gender.
This means that a 10-year-old boy can’t stay with his mother if he goes to an onsen, and he will need to go to the men’s bath. This is done for obvious reasons, but it’s an important thing to note!
If you have children under 10, there are some further rules to follow:
NO diapers allowed – even swimming diapers aren’t allowed. Remember – everyone needs to be completely naked in the onsen baths to ensure they remain as hygienic as possible.
No access to children who are not toilet trained – if a child is not toilet trained, they will not be allowed in the baths for obvious reasons. Cleanliness is very important, and no one was to soak in pee or worse!
On top of that, it should be noted that people are expected to keep their voices down in onsens. If you have a rowdy child, then an onsen is not a suitable place for them to be. People go there to relax.
Rules And Etiquette In An Onsen
Remove shoes at the door and place them in a locker – put your shoes in the locker given as soon as you enter the building
Have a modesty towel – find out from tour onsen if you need to bring one, or if they will supply you with one. This is useful if you don’t want to bare all while moving from one spot to another.
NO photography, even of yourself – respect everyone’s privacy. No one wants cameras going off when you’re in a room full of naked people.
You have to be COMPLETELY naked – not even jewelry is allowed. You need to be prepared for this, or else you shouldn’t go!
No staring at other people – staring is rude. You might not be used to being in a room full of naked people, but hopefully you will find the experience liberating! Just be polite and keep your eyes to yourself.
No soap or shampoos allowed – no chemicals or products are allowed in the onsen baths. This will impact the baths and ruin the experience
No eating or drinking allowed – no food or drinks are allowed in the onsen for obvious reasons. Mistakes happen, so it’s safer to just avoid it all.
Keep your voice down – people go to onsens to relax, and there’s nothing relaxing about listening to people talk at full volume. This is an especially important point to take home if you are a visitor in Japan.
Your hair and face MUST NOT touch the water – secure hair properly and use pins to get anything that could fall out. Don’t submerge your face in the water, either.
No jumping or swimming in the onsen – keep your movement minimal so that you don’t disturb the other guests at the onsen. Draw as little attention to yourself as possible.
Modesty towels must NOT touch the water – never allow your modesty towel to touch the water. Keep it on a rock outside the onsen, or balance it on your head if you can.
No peeing in the onsen bath (obviously) – this does without saying.
Rules Of An Onsen Ryokan
Wear the yukata provided – the facility will provide you with a yukata to wear in the building. Get changed in your room, and wrap the left flap over the right.
Go to the onsen area – head to the onsen area once you’re in your yukata.
Get to the changing area, store clothes and undress completely – remove all clothing and jewelry and put them in the lockers or baskets provided. You’ll get a locker key that can go in the onsen.
Wash yourself – wash yourself thoroughly before getting in the onsen bath! Everything you need will be provided in the washing area
Get in the onsen bath – now you can finally relax! Get in slowly so that you don’t disturb the other guests.
Enjoy the bath – relax and enjoy! Remember the rules regarding hair, towels, and bodily functions!
Leave the bath – draw as little attention to yourself as possible. You can rinse off if you like, but that’s up to you!
Dry off before going into the dressing area – always dry yourself off before going back into the dressing area. No traipsing water everywhere!
And you’re done! – get dressed, and you’re done!
Final Thoughts
Going to a traditional onsen bath house is a great experience, but only if you know what to expect. It’s a great way to relax and wind down, but it can be daunting at first.
Just remember that there are rules to follow, and no one is judging you! Just enjoy it.
If you ever find yourself wondering what you should be doing, just look around and see how everyone else is acting and behaving. They probably know the rules a lot better than you do!
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
