How to Attend an Onsen in Japan

Going to an Onsen in Japan can seem like a very complicated experience: the language, the manners, the cultural differences… But fear not! Everyone goes to the onsen to relax and have a good time, so the atmosphere is very calm and surely other people will seek to help them. Anyway, it is a good idea to visit an onsen with some basic information in order to enjoy it better!

In a previous post, we told you about the onsen or hot springs, which are very popular public baths in Japan. Going to an onsen is much more than just getting into the water, there are some “rules” and ways that we must follow in order to enjoy our experience even more, enjoying a harmonious balance with the other people in the onsen.

Before moving on to the instructions, it’s a good idea to understand how we’re supposed to log in. Although there are some mixed onsen, it is very likely that you will go to one divided into genders. In this case, it is important to recognize the door that corresponds to us. The men’s section will have a blue curtain with the kanji “男” (or hiragana おとこ) written on it, and the women’s section will have a red curtain with the kanji “女” (or hiragana おんな) – if you don’t see any of these these signs (or some sign clearly differentiating genders, for example written in English, pictures of a man or a woman, etc.) it is better to ask the onsen staff for the correct section.

Now we are ready to go in! To have a good experience in an onsen we recommend you follow the following steps:

1. Gently wash your body with water to remove surface dirt and sweat from your body. By doing this, we also accustom our body to the temperature of the water.

2. Wash your body in detail with soap.

3. Immerse yourself in the water slowly, up to your neck, slowly getting used to the temperature of the water (usually around 40°C) Once in the water, do not splash or immerse your head in the water, as baths are for relax in community.

4. Relax and enjoy the experience. Don’t worry about others “seeing” you as they most likely have no interest other than relaxing.

5. Once out of the water, dry your body before entering the locker area. Most onsen have an area to rehydrate with various types of refreshing drinks.

If you want to know more details and history about the onsen, do not miss our video!