GOMEZ’S GAIJIN GUIDE TO JAPANESE ONSEN ETIQUETTE
ONSENS – or hot springs – are a part of daily life in Japan. Hokkaido is blessed with widespread geothermal activity and onsen hot springs baths are integral to the communities we visit. They are featured in the accommodations we stay at too.
It is important to follow a certain etiquette to respect this culture.
Here are some tips and rules to follow:
BASIC RULES:
–ONSENS ARE SEPARATED BY GENDER – There will be signs directing you toward the male or female entrances. Entrances can switch depending on the time of day/night.
–BATHING SUITS ARE PROHIBITED IN ONSENS – Bathing suits are dirty and contaminate the pure spring water.
-CELL PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE ONSENS
–DO NOT BRING ALCOHOL INTO THE ONSENS – This is frowned upon and considered rude. You might see other foreigners bringing beers into the onsens however this will get you dirty looks from the locals.
WHEN YOU ENTER THE ONSEN
-When you enter either the men’s or women’s onsen please remove your shoes first. There is usually a step up from where you can leave your shoes or slippers. This step is a good indicator of where shoes are accepted and where you should take them off. You will see cubbies/ shelves where others have left their foot wear. There are separate lockers for your clothes and valuables. Entrances are marked by gender and can switch depending on time of day/night.
-In your hotel rooms you will be given a BIG and SMALL towel – Bring both to the onsen. Most hotels provide robes or pajamas. It is acceptable to wear this attire to the onsens and even to breakfast in the morning. (Except last night at Chitose Airport Hotel) You may ask front desk for fresh towels.
-In the locker room you will undress. Leave your clothes and the BIG towel in either a basket or locker.
-There will be a SMALL towel accompanying your BIG towel. This SMALL towel is your modesty towel to walk around the onsen. It is used to keep your head warm when going to an outside pool where the air temperature is cold. It is also used as a washcloth while showering.
BATHING ETIQUETTE INSIDE THE ONSEN
-DO NOT PUT/SOAK THIS SMALL TOWEL IN THE HOT SPRINGS!!!!! Same reasoning as bathing suits – they are dirty and should not contaminate clean onsen water.
-SHOWER FIRST – After putting your clothes in the changing area you will head to where there are showers. The showers will have small bath chairs (small plastic stools) which you sit on, and a plastic bowl. First fill the bowl with water and clean off bath chair before you sit down. It is proper etiquette to clean the bath chair off before and after you shower. The wash basin bowls are used to rinse off with or fill with soapy water to clean yourself. There is shower handle to hose yourself down with and all onsens provide soap and shampoo products.
-SIT WHILE SHOWERING – IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO STAND WHILE SHOWERING BECAUSE IT SPRAYS WATER BEHIND YOU – USUALLY FROM YOUR BEHIND. BE AWARE OF YOUR SPRAY IF YOU DO STAND UP. The plastic wash basin is useful for washing private parts and you may dunk your small towel into the wash basin and use as a washcloth. Again this is why it is a NO-NO to put your small towel directly into the hot pools.
-Onsens are generally quiet, relaxing places of zen – especially the saunas – keep voices down.
-After you are done showering off and before returning to the changing area do your best to shake off excess water from your body. This avoids leaving puddles in the dressing room where people may be walking around in socks.
-Many onsens do have cold plunges. These are incredibly revitalizing. Highly recommended for a body recharge after day on the mountain.
-TATTOOS are tolerated at most of the hotels we visit EXCEPT at the Chitose Airport Onsen. Tattoos are a symbol of Yakuza members of the organized Japanese Mafia. Hotels catering toward Western guests have become more accepting however there are still many places where they prohibit those who have them.
-Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions – I realize there are a lot of details but I assure you they all make sense and provide for an excellent experience. Being respectful of Japanese culture will enhance your experience.