For people visiting a Japanese onsen for the first time, the biggest worry is often "how do I actually use it?"
Where do you undress? Where do you put your towel? In what order should you wash? When do you get into the bath? Do you wear a swimsuit? Should you stay quiet?
Those anxieties are understandable. An onsen is a wonderful experience, but not knowing the customs can be confusing. Rather than diving into cultural theory, it's more helpful to understand the correct "order" of actions.
This article explains the flow from before you enter the facility to after you leave. Read this and you should be able to use an onsen without hesitation.
The basic principle: keep shared spaces clean
Japanese onsen rules may seem detailed, but the essence is simple.
Keep the water everyone shares clean, and make sure others can relax quietly and comfortably.
If you understand those two ideas, most rules will make sense. Onsen etiquette isn't strict ritual—it's consideration for a shared space.
1. Undress in the changing room first
Before entering the bathing area, undress in the changing room.
Keep large towels and your change of clothes in the changing room. It’s usually enough to bring a small towel into the bathing area.
Many people feel nervous here, but remember: the changing room is for preparation, the bathing area is for bathing. Don't carry all your luggage into the bath area.
2. Don’t go straight into the bath when you enter the bathing area
This is the most important rule.
The biggest faux pas is getting into the bath without washing first. In some countries people enter communal baths without showering, but in Japanese onsen you should never do that.
When you enter the bathing area, go to the washing stations first. Don't head straight for the bath.
3. Do a rinsing step (kakeyu) to acclimate your body
Before using the washing station, or next to it, do a quick rinse called kakeyu.
Pour water over your body starting from your feet so you can get used to the temperature. Jumping into hot water suddenly can cause rapid blood pressure changes, fainting, or dizziness.
Kakeyu also removes some surface dirt. It's a small action but very important in Japanese onsen.
4. Sit at the washing station and clean yourself
In Japanese onsen, the common practice is to sit on a small stool to wash, rather than showering while standing.
The reason is simple. Standing showers can splash water and soap onto others. If soap or shower water gets on the person next to you, it's very rude.
At the washing station follow this order:
- Wash your body
- Wash your hair
- Rinse off all soap and shampoo thoroughly
You might think kakeyu is enough, but it's not. The bath is a shared, pure space. Wash well with soap before entering.
5. Tie up long hair
Hair should not enter the bath in Japanese onsen.
If you have long hair, tie it up with a band or clip, or wrap it in your small towel. Make sure the ends do not touch the water.
No one enjoys seeing hair floating in the bath. It's both a hygiene issue and a matter of consideration for others.
6. Do not put your towel in the bath
Towel handling is a frequent topic of discussion at Japanese onsen.
You may bring a small towel, but do not put it into the bath. Towels collect body dirt, fibers, and soap residue.
Where should you put it?
- Rest it on your head
- Place it outside the edge of the bath
These are the basic options.
Many visitors find it odd to see people with towels on their heads, but it's both etiquette and practical: it cools the head and keeps the towel out of the water.
7. Enter the bath quietly
After washing, it's time to enter the bath.
Do not jump or splash. Making a loud splash or throwing water is bad manners. Enter quietly and sink in slowly.
If the water feels too hot, don't push yourself. An onsen isn't about endurance. I find it's best to stop just before it gets uncomfortably hot so you can enjoy it.
8. Keep quiet in the bathing area
Quiet is highly valued in Japanese onsen.
Low voices are usually fine, but avoid loud laughter, shouting, or prolonged noisy conversation. An onsen is a place for relaxation and can feel like a meditative space.
Especially in outdoor baths, many people enjoy the sound of the water, the wind, and birds. Don't disturb that peaceful atmosphere.
9. Generally, do not wear swimsuits
Visitors are often unsure about this, but in most Japanese onsen people bathe naked. It's not the place for swimsuits.
Exceptions include onsen pools that require swimwear, some mixed-gender baths with special garments, or specific events. But for normal onsen, you should not wear a swimsuit.
This is not about forcing embarrassment. It's just the local custom. It may feel strange at first, but many people come to feel it's natural.
10. Leave phones and cameras out of the bathing area
Photography in the bathing area is absolutely forbidden.
Because people are nude, privacy is paramount. Even having a smartphone in the bath area can make others uncomfortable, even if you don't intend to take photos.
Even if the scenery is beautiful, give up on photos. The best way to take the onsen home is in your eyes and memory.
11. Don't rush when you leave the bath
When leaving the bath, don't stand up suddenly. After long soaking, you're more likely to feel lightheaded.
Stand up slowly and, if necessary, rest on the edge for a moment before moving. Be particularly careful after very hot baths or outdoor baths.
Some facilities or types of spring water recommend skipping a final rinse in order to leave beneficial minerals on the skin. However, if you have sensitive skin or the spring is very stimulating, a light rinse may be more comfortable. Follow the facility's guidance.
12. Dry off well in the changing room
This is surprisingly important.
Before returning to the changing room, dry off most of the moisture in the bathing area. Returning soaking wet will make the floor slippery for the next person.
Remember: it's not a space you use alone. That awareness is needed right up to the end.
13. Rehydrate and rest after bathing
An onsen uses more energy than it looks. After bathing, drink fluids and rest for a bit.
Especially after very hot water or a combined sauna session, don't skip hydration. I also find it's better to rest briefly after leaving the bath rather than rushing around immediately. That helps increase overall satisfaction.
Common beginner mistakes
Here are the mistakes newcomers often make:
- Entering the bath without washing
- Putting a towel into the bath
- Not tying up long hair
- Showering while standing and splashing others
- Speaking loudly
- Bringing a smartphone into the bathing area
- Returning to the changing room soaking wet
Avoiding these seven errors will cover most onsen etiquette.
Conclusion: onsen manners are a sequence of consideration, not strict rules
Once you learn the steps, onsen etiquette is not difficult.
Undress in the changing room.
Do kakeyu.
Sit and wash at the washing station.
Tie up your hair.
Don't put towels in the bath.
Enter quietly.
Be considerate before and after leaving.
In short, onsen etiquette is a "sequence of consideration."
I believe that knowing the manners makes the onsen experience much better. With less unnecessary worry, you can focus on the bath itself. If you're visiting a Japanese onsen for the first time, learn these basics and enjoy the water with confidence.
