Japanese onsen have unique bathing etiquette that might be confusing for first-time foreign visitors. However, these rules are deeply rooted in Japan's culture of cleanliness and consideration for others.

What may seem complex at first is actually a rational and beautiful cultural practice once you understand the meaning behind each rule. This article explains the proper way to enjoy Japanese onsen, making it easy for beginners to understand, along with the reasons behind these practices.

Preparing Before Entering the Onsen

The Japanese onsen experience begins with preparation before bathing.

1. Etiquette in the Changing Room

Remove Your Shoes Take off your shoes at the entrance of the changing room and place them in a shoe locker.

Manage Valuables Store valuables in a locker and lock it. Some facilities provide wristbands for the locker key.

Undress Completely Remove all clothing. Bathing naked is the norm in Japanese onsen.

Prepare Towels Prepare a small towel (hand towel size) and a large towel (bath towel). Bring the small towel into the bath area and leave the large towel in the changing room.

2. Items You Can and Cannot Bring

Allowed Items

• Small towel (for washing and wiping)
• Personal bathing items like shampoo and soap (if you prefer your own)

Prohibited Items

• Swimwear
• Smartphones, cameras
• Large towels, bath towels
• Food and drinks
• Tattoo cover stickers (depends on the facility)

Reason To protect privacy, maintain hygiene, and show consideration for other users.

These clear rules create a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone to enjoy the onsen.

Kake-yu: The Most Important First Step

Before entering the onsen, "kake-yu" is the most important practice in Japanese onsen culture.

What is Kake-yu?

Definition Pouring onsen water over your body before entering the bath.

Purpose

• Remove dirt from the body
• Acclimate your body to the onsen temperature
• Prevent sudden changes in blood pressure

Kake-yu can be seen as a "greeting to the onsen," an important practice.

The Correct Way to Perform Kake-yu

Step 1: Scoop Water from the Edge of the Bath Use a ladle or basin to scoop water from the edge of the bath. Many facilities prefer you use onsen water rather than tap water.

Step 2: Pour from Feet Upwards Pour water over your body starting from your feet, then your waist, chest, and shoulders. Pouring directly on your chest can strain your heart.

Step 3: Use 5 to 10 Scoops Pour at least 5, ideally 10 scoops of water over your body.

Step 4: Wet Your Entire Body Ensure your entire body is wet with the water.

Performing kake-yu carefully shows respect for the onsen.

Consequences of Skipping Kake-yu

Etiquette Violation For Japanese people, entering the bath without kake-yu is a serious breach of etiquette.

Health Risks Sudden temperature changes can strain the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heat shock.

Inconvenience to Others Entering the bath with a dirty body shows a lack of consideration for other users.

Kake-yu is an essential etiquette that should never be skipped.

Washing Your Body: A Necessary Pre-Bath Task

In Japanese onsen, washing your body before entering the bath is mandatory.

Why Wash Your Body?

Consideration for Shared Spaces The bath is a shared space. Entering clean shows consideration for others.

Japanese Cleanliness Culture Cleanliness is a highly valued concept in Japan.

Hygiene Removing oils, dirt, and sweat helps maintain the bath's water quality.

This culture keeps Japanese onsen among the cleanest in the world.

How to Wash Your Body

Step 1: Sit at the Washing Area Use the provided stool or basin to sit while washing. Standing can cause soap and water to splash around.

Step 2: Use Soap and Shampoo Wash your body with soap and your hair with shampoo. Most facilities provide these amenities.

Step 3: Rinse Thoroughly Rinse off all soap and shampoo completely. Residue can affect the bath's water quality.

Step 4: Rinse the Area You Used Lightly rinse the washing area you used as a courtesy to the next person.

This series of actions is a "preparation ritual" for entering the onsen.

Entering the Bath

Once clean, you can finally enter the bath.

Final Check Before Entering the Bath

Kake-yu Again Even after washing, perform kake-yu once more.

Do Not Bring Towels Leave large towels in the changing room. Place small towels on your head or outside the bath.

Tie Up Long Hair Tie up long hair to keep it from soaking in the water.

Bathing Etiquette

Enter Slowly Do not jump into the bath. Slowly submerge yourself.

Enter Quietly Avoid making loud noises. Be careful not to create waves.

Moderate Time Aim for 5 to 15 minutes per bath session. Staying too long can cause dizziness.

Take Breaks If you wish to bathe for a long time, take breaks. A cycle of 10 minutes in the bath followed by a 5-minute rest is ideal.

Handling Towels

Do Not Submerge in the Bath Never submerge towels in the bath water.

Place on Your Head Placing a small towel on your head is acceptable and can prevent dizziness.

Place Outside the Bath Place towels outside the edge of the bath.

Enjoying the Onsen

Here are ways to maximize your enjoyment of the onsen while following proper etiquette.

1. Experience the Spring Quality

Color of the Water The color varies depending on the spring quality—clear, milky, or brown.

Scent Characteristic scents like sulfur or iron vary by spring quality.

Feel on the Skin The texture can be smooth, silky, or tingling, depending on the spring quality.

You can enjoy the spring quality with all five senses.

2. Enjoy the Scenery

Open-Air Baths Outdoor open-air baths offer natural scenery.

Seasonal Beauty Cherry blossoms in spring, lush green in summer, autumn leaves, and snowy landscapes in winter.

Starry Sky At night, you can gaze at the stars from an open-air bath.

The scenery in open-air baths is a highlight of the onsen experience.

3. Relax

Meditate Close your eyes and calm your mind.

Deep Breathing Breathe deeply and slowly.

Clear Your Mind Release daily stress and focus solely on soaking in the onsen.

The onsen is the ultimate relaxation space.

Post-Bath Etiquette

Important practices continue even after leaving the onsen.

1. Dry Off Before Entering the Changing Room

Dry Off Before the Changing Room Lightly dry your body before leaving the bath area.

Reason To prevent wetting the changing room floor.

Method Use a small towel to dry your entire body.

This practice keeps the changing room clean.

2. Hydrate

Essential Rehydrate after bathing.

What to Drink Water, barley tea, or sports drinks. Avoid alcohol.

Amount 1 to 2 cups.

Timing Immediately after bathing and within 30 minutes post-bath.

Hydration after bathing is crucial.

3. Rest Your Body

Do Not Move Immediately Rest your body immediately after bathing.

Rest Areas Many onsen facilities have rest areas.

Duration Rest for 15 to 30 minutes.

Post-bath rest is an important part of the onsen experience.

4. Do Not Wash Off Onsen Minerals

Do Not Shower Avoid washing off onsen minerals to prolong their benefits.

Exceptions For strong acidic or sulfur springs, a light shower may be recommended.

Check Your Skin Judge based on your skin condition.

Generally, not washing off the minerals prolongs their benefits.

Prohibited Actions in Onsen

Here are actions you must never do in a Japanese onsen.

1. Do Not Wash Your Body in the Bath

Wash at the Washing Area Wash your body outside the bath.

Reason The bath is a shared space. Soap contamination is strictly prohibited.

2. Do Not Swim in the Bath

Soak Quietly Soak quietly in the bath. Do not swim or dive.

Reason It disturbs other users and poses hygiene issues.

3. Do Not Speak Loudly

Be Quiet The onsen is a place for relaxation. Avoid speaking loudly.

Conversation is OK Quiet conversation is acceptable.

Silence in the onsen is crucial for everyone's relaxation.

4. Do Not Take Photos

Privacy Photography in the bath area is strictly prohibited.

Reason It invades others' privacy.

Exceptions Some facilities may allow photography at designated times or places.

5. Do Not Eat or Drink

Do Not Eat or Drink in the Bath Do not eat or drink in the bath.

Reason Hygiene and safety concerns.

Hydration Rehydrate after leaving the bath.

Special Situations for Bathing

Here are precautions for special situations.

1. Bathing During Menstruation

Generally Not Recommended In Japanese onsen culture, bathing during menstruation is generally avoided.

Reason Hygiene and consideration for other users.

Alternative Use a private bath or visit on another day.

2. If You Have Tattoos

Prohibited in Many Facilities Many Japanese onsen do not allow entry with tattoos.

Reason Historical and cultural background (association with organized crime).

Solutions

• Find tattoo-friendly onsen
• Use a private bath
• Use tattoo cover stickers (if allowed by the facility)

3. Bathing with Children

Same Rules for Children Children must follow the same etiquette as adults.

Parental Responsibility Parents are responsible for managing their children's etiquette.

Children in Diapers Many facilities do not allow children in diapers. Some have designated baby bath areas.

Teaching children onsen etiquette is important.

Differences by Type of Onsen Facility

There are slight rule differences depending on the type of facility.

1. Luxury Onsen Ryokan

More Strict Etiquette is more strictly enforced.

Service Staff often guide you through the experience.

Private Baths Many offer private baths.

2. Day-Use Onsen Facilities

Casual Generally more casual atmosphere.

Crowded Often crowded on holidays.

Amenities Facilities like saunas, restaurants, and rest areas are available.

3. Public Baths (Sento)

Community-Based Used regularly by local residents.

Simple Facilities are simple.

Cost Relatively inexpensive (around 500 yen).

Basic etiquette remains the same at all facilities.

Conclusion: Onsen Etiquette is Consideration for Others

The proper way to enjoy Japanese onsen may seem complex, but it is all based on clear reasons of "consideration for others" and "maintaining cleanliness."

Performing kake-yu, washing your body, not submerging towels, and keeping quiet are common rules for everyone to enjoy the onsen comfortably.

These are not just rules but expressions of Japanese culture's consideration for others. By following these practices, you can deeply understand Japanese onsen culture and have a richer experience.

Even first-time visitors to Japanese onsen can confidently enjoy the experience by referring to this guide. By respecting onsen etiquette, you and other users can fully appreciate the wonderful culture of Japanese onsen.

Japanese onsen are a cultural heritage to be proud of worldwide. Let's respect and enjoy this culture.