Special edition: A beginner’s guide to Japanese onsens
By Julie Reeves, from onsen virgin to onsen native
The Japanese love their onsens and partake of the spring waters often. But as novices there is etiquette that we must observe.
1. You should change into the hotel- supplied onsen outfit before entering the onsen. This can be a kimono or a pantsuit, and slippers.
In the hotel room there’ll also be a bag/basket for you to take with you to carry your small onsen towel, bath towel and anything else you might need.
2. When you arrive at the onsen you must first remove your slippers and place them on a shelf, sometimes with a numbered clip so that you’ll get the right pair at the end of your experience.
3. Next you will walk through to a room with many lockers where you can place your belongings. Any locker with a key still in it can be used.
4. Now comes the interesting/frightening/exciting part, depending on your expectations. You must remove your clothing……that’s right, an onsen demands total nudity! Your onsen towel is very small and won’t cover much, should you choose to be modest.
5. You will now proceed to the shower room which has rows of open cubicles for a thorough soaping and rinsing of your body with the provided amenities. A little usually plastic stool is provided for use while washing. You are finally ready to go into one of several baths and enjoy the steamy mineral spring water. The small onsen towel you take with you must not go into the water….leave it on your head or poolside.
6. Some hotel onsens have an outdoor pool with a view which is very pleasant, even if the air temperature is quite cold. The water temperature can be as high as 40°. Inside the onsen there are different temperature pools, some with bubbles to massage your body, and perhaps a very cold water pool and even a sauna.
7. Once you feel relaxed, or too hot, you can go back the the shower room for a rinse off and a pamper. Onsens provide body wash, shampoo, conditioner, hairdryers, and some even have facial products for you to use. You’ll feel really good afterwards and realise why the Japanese love their onsens so much.
8. Now it’s time to get dressed back at your locker, find your slippers and head back to your hotel room.
3 responses to “Japan 2022 Special onsen edition”
Thx Julie loved the explanation – where are the Onsens or bathhouses in Sydney ? There was the Korean Bathhouse in Kings X but I think it is long gone. Cheers Robyn
Thanks Julie, great explanation. Not sure it’s for me.
Sounds like an upgrade from the mineral baths in Budapest