How to use the Japanese Onsens; a guide for tourists, approved by locals. 

What is an onsen? 

Benefits to the body: 

An onsen is not just a means of washing, but a traditional area of relaxation and rejuvenation for the body and mind. Depending on the source and mineral influence of the natural hot spring, the water in each onsen can vary greatly in temperature, colour, smell, feel and health benefits. The table below shows some of the benefits that can be experienced in the natural, mineral rich hot springs. The columns represent the most common types of onsens found in Japan and how you might recognise them.

What to bring to the onsen: 

The main rules of a traditional onsen:

1. No clothes – yes, that means completely nude, but don’t get undressed until you are in the designated area
2. No accessories – that includes necklaces, dangling earrings, rings and especially watches; whether it’s waterproof or not has nothing to do with it
3. No hair in bath – it is okay to have your hair out in the wash area but it must be tied up or wrapped in a towel when in the main onsen pool to prevent hair from floating in the water. 
4. Wash before entering bath – this means you need to use soap and a cloth to completely wash your body in the designated wash area, and do not enter the main pool until you are clean
5. Shoes off at the door – like many traditional Japanese buildings, outdoor shoes are to be removed upon entering and carried to the shoe storage area
6. No phones/photography – an onsen is a private and respectful setting for obvious reasons. Photography is not accepted at any time, to avoid unwanted exposure. Everything has a camera these days so it’s best to leave phones and watches at home or in a pocket of your removed clothing. Disclaimer: I sourced permission to take the photos you see on this post outside of opening hours to avoid any risk of indecent exposure. 
7. Always be respectful, polite and aware of others – an onsen is a place of relaxation and rejuvenation; avert your gaze, do not talk unless necessary and do not significantly adjust the temperature of the main pool without checking with other users first. Do not do to others what you would not want done to you. 
8. Tattoos! – Some onsens do not allow tattoos, others don’t mind and others allow certain sizes but not full sleeves or large pieces. Every onsen is different,, so if you have tattoos, be sure to check for signs or ask locals about the specific tattoo rules at each onsen. 

Standard onsen layout: 

Keep in mind that every onsen around Japan is unique in layout, smell, size, water type, and mineral properties. However, most onsens have a few main features allowing you to adapt this guide to almost any onsen that you’ll encounter. 

How to onsen: A step by step guide (know before you go)

Like many traditional Japanese homes and businesses’, the onsens have some specific tasks that need to be performed by the person entering in order to respect the traditional customs as well as assist with personal health and hygiene in this public space. Below is a walk-through of what to do in each designated area of the onsen from entering to saying thankyou and goodbye. Disclaimer: This is a general guide and may differ slightly for unique onsens.  

Step 1: Enter

• Enter the onsen on the correct gender side and remove shoes at the door. 

Step 2: Undress

• Remove clothing and place into available storage box or locker. Only keep with you the things you need for washing and your small towel. 
• Some onsens offer a small bucket for washing in this area, if there is one pick it up and take it with you to enter the ‘washing’ area

Step 3: Wash

• Choose a place to sit while washing. Some onsens offer a small stool to sit on, others require you to sit on the ground and some allow you to stand like a shower. 
• Wash your body thoroughly, using soap and your small towel. You can also use this towel to cover yourself while you wash if you feel uncomfortable. Some onsens provide a tap, others allow you to use the bucket to take water out of the main bath to use for washing
• Do not allow soap or water from washing to flow back into the main bath
• Now is the time to also wash your hair or shave if you would like to. 

Step 4: Enter main onsen bath

• Once clean (and hair tied up or wrapped in your small towel if needed) you may enter the main bath to soak up the minerals and relax the body. 
• WARNING; onsens can naturally flow up to 60 degrees celsius and some can be hotter. Sometimes it helps to pour the water over your body before entering to adjust to the temperature (careful not to splash)
• Some onsens have a cold tap, allowing you to cool the onsen water if required. Be sure to check with other users before turning on the cold tap and affecting the temperature of the public onsen. The benefits of the onsen are more prevalent in high temperatures, therefore cooling the onsen can be disrespectful and upsetting for other users. 
• Do not expect to get in the onsen on the first try or to stay in for very long. Different days and weather events will change the natural temperature of the water, therefore some days you may just find it too hot to enter. But washing and pouring the water over your body can still show benefits. 

Step 5: Soak

• It takes time for the minerals to be absorbed by the skin. Sit still in the onsen and soak up the benefits, getting in and out slowly (without splashing) as needed due to the high temperatures of the water. 
• The more still you are in the water, the less the temperature will sting. 

Step 6: Get dry 

• When you are finished with the onsen, pat down your body using your small towel to get the majority of the water and drips off yourself before returning to the clothing area. 
• In some onsens, the clothing area (where your dry towel is) is quite close to the wet washing area. In this case, it is important that you still pat dry with your wet towel first and do not reach a wet arm across the clothing area to your dry towel. It is important to keep the clothing area as dry as possible. 
• Once in the clothing area, you can dry yourself properly with your dry towel. 

Step 7: Get dressed

• Put on your clothes (except shoes) and be sure to pick up all of your belongings before leaving. 

Step 8: Leaving

• Put your shoes back on at the door and leave the onsen
• Say “oyasuminasai” to other onsen users as you leave. This is a polite way of saying ‘goodnight’ 

Enjoy Your Onsen

With health benefits proven and enjoyed for thousands of years, the Japanese onsens truly are a must-do experience while travelling Japan. Whether you are resting your muscles after a long day skiing, warming up after cold day outside or just having a good wash, you will always leave feeling relaxed and satisfied. It may feel a little awkward or uncomfortably hot on your first try; but it helps to remember that these are a normal and important part of the Japanese culture. Not only are they used for washing, but also for cooking, and warming, by people and even animals, all over the country.