Bathing in an onsen is one of the things we would make room for on any trip to Japan.
Going in does mean following certain rules, so as not to give offence. Here is a short guide to the five mistakes to avoid while you bathe.
And if you want to go further into Japanese culture, here is an article on ryokan, traditional Japanese inns
Not washing before you get in
Onsen are large baths shared by a lot of people. To keep hygiene where it needs to be, washing BEFORE you get in is compulsory. There is always a small room with showers and everything you need for washing, just before the entrance to the baths. That stop is OBLIGATORY.
Dipping your towel in the water
This can be surprising at first, but onsen are communal places and you bathe naked. The women’s baths are of course separate from the men’s. If you are shy, it is tempting to keep a towel between you and everyone else. Take care not to dip it in the bath water, though: that is read as unhygienic and disrespectful.
Letting your hair touch the water
As you will have gathered, most of the rules in an onsen come down to hygiene.
Anyone with long hair should tie it up, because hair must not go into the water.
Putting your head fully under is not allowed either, for the same reason.
Being loud
Onsen are for unwinding, whether during a trip or after a long day’s work. Take care not to disturb the other bathers by talking too loudly.
Swimming in the bath is not allowed either.
Use the quiet to empty your head and set your worries down.
Bathing with tattoos
Most public onsen do not admit anyone with tattoos. If you have one, check at the entrance whether or not you are allowed to bathe.
If your tattoos are small, you will often be able to cover them with a patch or a plaster and go in on that basis. If they are too large, the other option is to book a private onsen, where no such limit applies.
Want to know more about onsen? See our guide to everything worth knowing before you go in
