How to visit an onsen in Japan

Visiting an onsen, or hot spring bath, is one of the best things you can do in Japan. Although it can be a bit daunting at first, once you get over the fear of being nude the experience is well worth it!

I first visited an onsen in Kurama, near Kyoto, and knew vaguely what to do but wasn’t sure. I remember waiting awkwardly in the changing room to see if someone else came in (so I could copy them without being creepy) but of course no one did. So here I am to help you avoid that situation!

Where can I find an onsen?

You can find onsen throughout Japan, although some towns are built on hot spring areas and offer a variety of bathing options (you can find both indoor and outdoor onsen in Japan, as well as baths that have different mineral properties and temperatures). When I stayed in Kagoshima the hotel had a ‘carbon dioxide’ bath which meant that everything under the water was completely covered in tiny bubbles. It looked like I had fur!

Some hotels and ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) have onsen on-site, whereas some are standalone establishments. There are even onsen ‘theme parks’ like Yunessun in Hakone.

What else should I know about?

Most onsen are separated by gender with nudity being the norm, although some onsen do have private baths or clothing-compulsory baths available so it’s worth doing some research before you visit. The same goes if you have tattoos, as some onsen will refuse entry to those with tattoos given their perceived connection to the Japanese mafia.

So, what’s the process of visiting an onsen?

1. When you enter, take off your shoes and put them in the racks provided.
2. There will be baskets or a locker space along one wall – this is where your clothes and big towel will go.
3. Take off your clothes. Yep, all of them!
4. Take the little towel with you. You can use this to cover yourself if you don’t feel comfortable.
5. Go into the bathing area. Along a wall you’ll see sinks and small stools. This is where you’ll sit and wash yourself before entering the main bath.
6. Give yourself a wash! You can wash your hair if you want but you don’t have to. If you want the full experience you can fill the small basin with water and once you’re lathered up, pour that over your head or chest. If not, you can just use the shower head to hose yourself down.
7. Pop the small towel on top of your head (you’ll use this to dry yourself off later) and get into the bath.
8. Relax! (Bonus points if you’re in an outdoor bath as this really enhances the experience!)

Your body will tell you when it has had enough as it starts to get a bit too hot and humid after a while. Then, you just get out, dry yourself off a bit, and head to the changing room to dry yourself off properly and put your clothes back on. It’s as simple as that!

Want to find out more about all the amazing places to visit in Japan? See my full first-trip Japan itinerary and Japan travel guides here! I’ll be adding more as my Japan series progresses.