Japan: How to Make Your Onsen Visit a Success

Our author Sarah spent a year studying in Japan. Visiting an onsen (hot spring) was definitely one of the must-have experiences. Here's how to avoid potential pitfalls so that you can have a stress-free experience too.

When I first entered a Japanese onsen, I was incredibly grateful to be accompanied by my Japanese host mother. In such a traditional Japanese establishment, one rule follows another. Therefore, the most important rules are to observe and imitate. This can save you from some uncomfortable situations. To at least outwardly appear like 'Of course, I know what I'm doing here,' here are pro-tips from entering the onsen to relaxing afterward.

The favorite discipline in Japan: taking off your shoes. But be careful: Do not wait until the locker room. A shoe rack is usually located right next to the counter. You exchange them for a pair of sandals that are provided.

The first big hurdle, if you find yourself alone in the small hallway behind the counter: finding the entrance to the correct changing rooms. The situation could become a guessing game in the worst-case scenario. Door one or door two? To increase your chances of success, here are the key indicators: the Japanese characters for man (男) or woman (女) are visible above the entrance. If you haven't taken a basic Japanese course, you can rely on the color scheme. The changing rooms for women are usually marked by red curtains. The men's rooms with blue.

A typical changing room looks like this: The floor is lined with bamboo mats. On one side, there are either lockers or shelves with numbered baskets where you can place your clothes. On the other side, there are mirrors, electrical outlets, or hairdryers. One door leads to a restroom, and another to the adjacent bathing area. You must remove all your clothing before entering the next room. This is why the bathing areas are separated for men and women. You also leave behind your recently acquired Japanese sandals. You take only a small bath towel with you, which you can use to cover your private area if needed when outside the water. Usually, you don't need to bring shower gel or shampoo in as they are available in the shower area. Now you can leave the soft bamboo mats of the changing room and enter the bath.

Don't be too hasty now! Don't think you can reserve a plastic lounge chair with your towel and then dive headfirst into the water. Absolutely not! Keep your towel with you and head to the shower stations nearby. Several wooden or plastic stools are lined up next to each other.

Each station is separated by a partition, so you're not constantly hit by the water stream from the neighboring showerhead. Sit on a free stool and fill the wooden tub in front of you with warm water. If there's also a showerhead, feel free to use it. Shampoo and shower gel are usually within reach (larger soap dispenser bottles).

The Japanese take their time here, as they want to be as clean as possible before entering the hot spring. You may also use your small towel as a washcloth. Important: Wring it out at the showers and not in the water. After you're done showering, clean your station with the showerhead or by pouring out the tub (you should do this before sitting down as well, just in case).

Gently, gently. When entering the hot spring, go into the water slowly so as not to disturb the other bathers. You can either place the small towel on the edge or put it on your head. Don't worry, everyone does it. Swimming is not encouraged. Find a quiet spot at the edge or move through the water very slowly.

After your onsen visit (you can rinse off again after leaving the water if you want, but you don't have to), the relaxation area is the perfect place for extra relaxation. To do this, return to the changing room, get dressed, and then head toward the exit [note: yes, you are clothed again]. Before reaching the shoe rack, you should find a relaxation room. Often equipped with a fireplace, it's a great place to transition back to the world outside of this traditional Japanese institution.

In fact, besides these rules of conduct, there is one more thing that might concern you. In about half of all Japanese onsens, tattoos are prohibited. This rule arises from the association of tattoos with the yakuza, Japan's criminal organizations. This prejudice is deeply rooted in people's minds and is upheld by many onsens that deny entry to those with tattoos. However, it's possible that, as a tourist, this faux pas will be overlooked. To be safe, you should ask about the rules at the entrance. Naturally, you'll quickly be recognized as a tourist, and the Japanese will surely forgive you for some uncertainties in the process.

Travel Reporter