onsen, the 'cool' hot springs

onsen (温泉) are natural volcanic hot springs that are enjoyed for relaxation and health. as a volcanically active country, Japan has thuosands of onsen scattered along its length an breadth. onsen were traditionally used as public bathing places, but today play a central role in directing Japanese domestic tourism.

there are many different types of onsen . the major difference is the one you visit may be a natural hot spring (usually found in the mountains or somewhat countryside areas) or an imitation hot spring (which can be found in cities and hotels). traditionally, onsen were located outdoors, although a large number of inns have now built indoor bathing facilities as well.

outdoor onsen

indoor onsen

Generally all Onsen have the same things in common:

• Onsen, unless they are private (e.g. like in a ryokan or hotel), have separate male and female sections. So if you are going with a boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife then remember to set a time to meet outside the onsen.
• After you pay and enter your section, there is a locker room to strip off and store your things. In this room there might be some scales, it is interesting to weigh yourself before and after.
• The shower area has rows of cubicle type areas, with a detachable shower head, plastic stool and bucket, shampoo, conditioner and body soap.
• After showering, you can then proceed to the hot bath. There may also be a cold bath and sauna, and any other number of different baths.
• The majority do not allow you to enter if you have a tattoo, or a visible piercing that isn’t the usual ear piercing.

embarrassing things

Visitors to Japan generally enjoy onsen. Most visits to onsen are problem free. After all, the rules of onsen are relatively straightforward. However, if you make any of these mistakes it can be very embarrassing. 

1. The Worst Thing

Most onsen require nudity and have separated baths for men and women. Some onsen are mixed sex and require bathing suits. The most embarrassing thing that can happen — coming out of the dressing room nude at an onsen that requires a bathing suit. 

2. Bathroom Slippers

If you go to the bathroom in the dressing room — bathroom slippers will be provided. If you forget to take these off when you return to the dressing room — people will be shocked.

3. Forgetting to Wash

Onsen is often not chlorinated. It's important to health and cleanliness that everyone wash before getting into the shared bath. If you forget this step people will notice. 

4. Forgetting Your Little Towel

Japanese onsen aren't nudist resorts. You're expected to show a little modesty where possible. Most people carry a small towel in the bath with them. This towel is used to wash. It shouldn't enter the onsen bath itself. It's common to place the towel on your head when you're in the bath. Most people use the little towel for modesty when getting in and out of the bath. If you forget your little towel it's not the end of the world. However, you might feel embarrassed if everyone else has one. 

5. Shoes

You're expected to remove your shoes at the entrance to most onsen. Walking straight in with your shoes on is a major faux pas.

6. Wrong Dressing Room

It's quite possible to enter the wrong dressing room if you're not paying attention.  The men's and women's baths are often rotated during the day or several times a week (by switching the curtains).

Usually, the woman's curtain is red and the men's curtain is blue (but not always). Usually, the curtains use the kanji "女" for women and "男" for men (but not always). The kanji on the curtains are often stylized (difficult to read). 

onsen dangers

This isn't medical advice. Talk to your doctor before visiting onsen if you have a health concern. 

Every year millions of people visit a Japanese onsen without any noticeable health affects. In fact, most onsen regulars will tell you that onsen are healthy for body, mind and soul. That being said, there are some risks. 

Commonly cited onsen dangers include : 

1. Heat Overexposure

Many onsen operators warn of the dangers of dehydration and heat exhaustion from staying in onsen too long. It's not recommended to consume alcohol in onsen or to enter when you're intoxicated. It's also recommended to limit your soaking time in onsen to a few minutes. You may not notice you're dizzy until you stand up. 

2. Slipping

Onsen are often made of rock and wood (that become slippery). It's easy enough to slip and fall (especially if you're a little dizzy from a hot soak).

3. Infectious Diseases

Any infectious disease that can be transmitted via hot water. This includes legionella bacteria and naegleria. Many onsen aren't chlorinated. Onsen is meant to be as pure and natural as possible. Many onsen resorts replace water regularly. You shouldn't visit onsen if you have a communicable disease or open cuts or sores on your body. Visitors to onsen must clean with soap and water before entering the bath. 

4. Avalanche

Avalanche is a danger in snowy mountainous areas. Several onsen resorts have been hit by deadly avalanches over the years. 

5. Too Hot

Onsen water may come out of the ground at a very high temperature that's dangerous. Burns do happen. Always check the temperature of a natural onsen before jumping in. Well managed onsen resorts will cool the water before adding it to the bath. However, it's still a good idea to check. Many resorts rely on ancient equipment to manage temperatures. 

6. High Blood Pressure

If you have a medical condition it's important to ask your doctor before soaking in hot water. For example, hot baths can increase your blood pressure. 

tips for foreigners to use an onsen

Step 1 – preparing to go to the onsen

Here is a checklist of things to bring with you to the onsen :

• Hydrate, especially if you plan on using the sauna. You will sweat a lot, even though most of the time you won’t realise it.
• Money, generally an onsen session is anywhere from 400 to 1200 Yen. (even more)
• “Nobi-nobi”, this is like a body towel for cleaning during a shower, you can buy these from supermarkets or convenience stores. Sometimes there is a vending machine at the onsen that has them.
• Small towel, about the size of a tea-towel, you use this to sit on in the sauna or to put over your face (or hide your private bits if you are shy).
• At some large onsens there will be a vending machine where you can buy anything that you need that they don’t have, like razors, nobi-nobi, small towels, boxer shorts, shampoo, body soap and much more!
• Normal bath towel, to dry yourself when you are finished.
• Fresh, clean set of clothes. You will be very clean and relaxed when you finish so it feels good to have clean clothes on.

Step 2 – entering reception and paying for your time at the onsen

• As always, remove your shoes. Most onsen do not have guest slippers, as you wouldn’t be wearing them for long. So you will walk around with bare-feet or socks for now.
• Pay for your session at reception.
• Head to either the male or female section.

Step 3 – store your things and get nude

Although not required, 99.9% of people who visit a hot spring in Japan get nude. If you feel shy, just remember this… bathing in onsen is a tradition in Japan dating back hundreds, perhaps thousands of years ago. No-one stares at your “bits” and really, if you do wear clothing you will be the odd one out.

• You will enter a locker room, choose a locker.
• Take out your nobi-nobi (or similar) and your small towel (plus whatever else, razor, special shampoo etc). Usually there is a small plastic container to put everything in so you don’t have to come back to your locker.
• Get nude, stash your clothes and lock the locker. They keys provided generally have some form of a band to put around your ankle or wrist.
• This can be very interesting, go weigh yourself, there are usually scales in the change room. You can then weigh yourself when you return after using the sauna and baths.
• Head towards the showers.

Step 4 – washing and showering before entering the hot baths

This is a very critical step. Being the nature of Japanese people in general (i.e. the tolerance they give to foreigners), if you missed this part they probably wouldn’t say anything, but they would grumble and make snide remarks amongst themselves.

• Before the showers and the onsen there is usually some water (it could be a small fountain, or a large wooden keg type container) to rinse yourself with before entering the showers. Rinse yourself off and then go to a shower.
• At the shower you will likely find a plastic stool, plastic container, shampoo, conditioner and body soap. Use the detachable shower head and container as you wish. Put some body soap on your nobi-nobi then clean your body, wash your hair and shave too if you wish. You can pat yourself down with the small towel before leaving the shower area.
• If you took a small container then you can leave your nobi-nobi, razor and everything else except your small towel in this. There is usually a place to store it so you don’t have to go back to your locker.
• Next head toward the sauna (step 5a) or onsen hot baths (step 5b).

Note, that there is no specific order for which you use first, the sauna or the hot spa. If you wish you can just do one, or if you just came here to clean you can use the shower and then leave.

Step 5a – using the sauna

• There will be a water fountain somewhere near by if you get thirsty.
• When you enter, to best warm-up to it, head to the lowest step and lie down. Then after a while, slowly sit up. Always move around slowly in a sauna. As you get used to it, move higher up to experience more of the heat.
• When you exit the sauna, either splash cold water on yourself or enter one of the cold baths. This has many therapeutic and health benefits, so grit your teeth and go with it!

Step 5b – the hot baths, the true hot spring in Japan

Onsens can vary greatly. There may simply be one large hot bath. Usually there are several arranged in various areas, indoors and/or outdoors. As such, there is really no fixed method in using these, just relax and find a hot bath that you like. The water temperature seems to be about 39 degrees celsius.

There is usually an outdoor and indoor area. If it is not a natural hot spring, they will usually mimic a natural rock formation setting. Some have large single person rock tubs to sit in, rock seats where water pours down your back, rock “beds” where you are semi-submerged in water and tatami mat area to lay on and dry off.

Step 6 – leaving the onsen

Once you are finished, and this can take anywhere from 2 – 3 or more hours, head to the area where you first rinsed yourself off, before the showers. Rinse yourself off again and then pat yourself down with your small towel. You don’t have to be completely dry, just don’t be dripping wet when you head back to the locker room. Then head toward your locker, get your large towel and dry off completely. Put your clean clothes on, take everything out of the locker and you’re done.

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