At Japanese hot springs, you wash your body at the washing area before entering the bath. This comes from the shared-bath principle of keeping communal water clean, and even the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s hygiene guidelines assume that bathers wash outside the tub. But for first-timers, the difficult part is not the reason; it is the practical question of how to wash.

In short, the flow is almost the same as at home. Sit on the washing-area stool, rinse your body with the bucket or shower, wash with soap and shampoo if needed, rinse away every trace of foam, and then head to the bath. The only difference is that you are using a space shared with others, not your own private bathroom.

This article organizes how to use the washing area, the order for washing your body, how to handle your hair, the relationship with rinsing first, and the courtesy needed so that foam and water do not splash around, all in the actual order of use. For the cultural background behind washing and the overall etiquette flow in hot springs, see The Basics of How to Enter a Hot Spring and Its Etiquette. For actions to avoid, see Things You Should Never Do at a Hot Spring. This article focuses only on the act of washing.

What is the washing area?

When you enter the bath room, you will see a section separate from the tub with mirrors, showers, and faucets along the wall. This is the washing area. There is usually a low stool and a bucket or wash basin on the floor. This is the place for washing your body; the tub is used only for soaking and warming up.

The washing area is designed with individual spaces lined up side by side. Think of one mirror and one shower as one person’s space, and choose an open spot to wash within that area. A place that already has a bucket or stool may be in use or being reserved, so when it is crowded, it is safer to avoid it.

Basic steps

The washing flow can be summarized as follows. It is not very different from bathing at home, but if you remember two points, sitting down and rinsing away all foam, it is hard to go wrong.

Among these steps, visitors to Japan most often struggle with three things: sitting to wash, rinsing off all foam, and cleaning up afterward. Let’s look at each one.

Wash while seated

Japanese hot spring washing areas are designed to be used while sitting on a stool. That is why the shower is often installed low and the mirror is at seated eye level. If you shower while standing, water splashes from a higher position and may hit the person washing next to you. Even if you do not mean any harm, the other person will notice.

Sit down on the stool and always point the shower head or bucket toward your own body. If you spray forcefully at the wall or floor, the splashing water spreads around you. When using a bucket, it is less likely to scatter water if you pour it gently along your body rather than splashing it dramatically from overhead.

The order for washing your body and handling your hair

There is no strict rule for the order of washing, but if you wash your hair first and your body afterward, it is less likely that you will leave anything unrinsed. If shampoo or conditioner foam runs onto your body, you can wash it away when you wash your body afterward. On days when you do not wash your hair, simply wash your body as usual.

When washing your hair, remain seated and bend forward, keeping your posture as low as possible while using the shower. If you stand and tilt your head back, foam and water are more likely to splash behind you or onto the person next to you. Long hair in particular should be tied back with a rubber band or clip after washing so it does not go into the bath water. Avoiding contact between hair and the bath water is also mentioned in Things You Should Never Do at a Hot Spring.

You do not have to use soap or shampoo. Since the purpose is to remove sweat and sebum, a light visit may be fine with a quick rinse and plain washing only. However, if you do use soap, it is important to rinse away every bit of foam before heading to the bath.

Do not leave foam behind. Rinse everything away.

The most important point after washing is not leaving soap or shampoo foam on your body or the floor. If you enter the bath with foam still attached, those ingredients will dissolve into the shared water. If foam remains on the floor, it becomes slippery and dangerous for the next person.

When rinsing, pour water from top to bottom over your body, in the order of hair, face, body, and feet, so the foam naturally runs downward. Finally, rinse the area around your feet and stool lightly so no puddles of foam remain. It is even better if you can check in the mirror that no foam is left on your back or neck. If you remember to “finish everything at the washing area before moving to the bath,” you will not get confused.

The relationship with rinsing first

“Rinsing first” and “washing your body” are often confused, but their purposes are different. Rinsing first is the action of pouring water over your body before entering the bath to adjust to the temperature and quickly wash away sweat and dust. Washing at the washing area, on the other hand, means using soap and shower water to remove dirt thoroughly.

In practice, the sequence is to rinse your body first at the washing area, then sit down and wash. Some people also pour a little more water over themselves just before entering the tub to soften the temperature difference. Entering hot water suddenly puts a lot of strain on the body, so the Consumer Affairs Agency also advises people to be careful of sudden temperature changes when bathing. For the relationship between water temperature and how to enter, see Hot Spring Water Temperature and How to Enter.

Note that the case of “I already washed, so I can just rinse first and go in” is limited to situations such as re-entering the same facility after a short time. For a first visit or normal use, it is more reliable to wash properly before entering.

Cleaning up and being considerate of others

After washing, lightly rinse the stool and bucket you used with hot water and return them to their original place. If you check that no foam or hair is left behind before leaving, the next person can use the area comfortably. This may seem minor, but in a space where people take turns using limited washing stations, cleaning up is part of the etiquette.

When it is crowded, it is also important not to occupy a washing area for too long. Even if removing makeup or doing a detailed grooming routine takes time, if other people are waiting, it is considerate to give way briefly. A washing area is a place to prepare yourself, not a place to expand into the surrounding space or monopolize.

Common mistakes for visitors to Japan

In some countries, there are cultures where people enter hot water or pools without showering first. This is not a matter of right or wrong; the difference is that in Japanese communal baths, everyone shares the premise of “wash first, then enter.”

In practical terms, the four most common unintentional mistakes are: washing while standing, pointing the shower at the wall or surrounding area, going into the bath with foam still on you, and leaving the stool as it is after use. In reverse, if you remember these four things—sit down, aim only at yourself, rinse completely, and clean up afterward—you can avoid almost all mistakes at the washing area. If you are concerned about the background or your hesitation about bathing naked, see Why Do You Enter a Hot Spring Naked?.

Frequently asked questions

How much of my body should I wash?

As with bathing at home, the basic rule is to wash your whole body. It is enough to remove sweat and sebum and make sure you do not enter the bath as you are. Washing your entire body before entering is more comfortable for both you and the people around you than only rinsing your arms and legs.

Do I have to use soap and shampoo every time?

No, it is not required. Since the goal is to remove sweat and dirt, a light sweat may be fine with only rinsing and simple washing. However, if you do use soap, be sure to rinse away all foam before entering the bath.

Is it okay to enter the bath after only rinsing first?

Normally, no. Rinsing first is for letting your body adjust to the temperature and quickly washing away sweat; it is not a replacement for washing properly at the washing area. Except for situations such as re-entering soon after washing, it is safer to wash thoroughly before entering.

Do I have to wash my hair every time?

No. Whether or not to wash your hair is up to you. If you do not wash it, still tie it up or gather it so it does not go into the bath water. This is part of keeping the shared water clean.

Is it bad to shower while standing?

It is best to avoid it. Japanese washing areas are designed for seated use, and standing makes it easier for water and foam to splash around. Please sit on the stool and aim the shower toward your own body.

Summary

Before entering a hot spring bath, sit on the stool in the washing area, rinse your whole body first, wash with soap and shampoo if needed, and then enter only after rinsing away every trace of foam. That is the basic flow. It is almost the same as bathing at home; the only difference is that you share a communal space with others.

Sit down to wash, aim the shower or bucket toward yourself, rinse away all foam, and clean up the stool and bucket you used. If you remember these four points, you will almost never get confused in the washing area. For the overall flow of hot spring etiquette, see The Basics of How to Enter a Hot Spring and Its Etiquette.

Sources

• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Hygiene Management Guidelines for Public Bathhouses (Bathers should wash their bodies before entering the tub and should not wash their bodies inside the tub)
• Consumer Affairs Agency, Please be careful of accidents among older adults while bathing in winter (Caution regarding sudden temperature changes during bathing)