Japan Nuggets

It can be intimidating. And takes a bit of getting used to.

But once I tried it for the first time, I wanted to go again and again. Now I go whenever I get a chance. 

Onsen, Japan’s natural hot spring baths, are a wonderful way to relax and unwind, especially during the cooler months. 

They’re not just places to take a bath. They combine nature, relaxation, tradition and social ritual. Something that developed over centuries.

Why do they take some getting used to? Because you enjoy them nude.

It’s a truly communal experience. With shared changing rooms and washing areas. And yes, men and women bath separately. 

The etiquette can feel complicated. Where to wash? Where to put your towel? How to enter the bath? What to do with long hair?

But it’s actually pretty straightforward.

The most important rule: no phones or cameras anywhere. 

Take your slippers off before entering the changing room. Undress. Put long hair up. You usually get a small towel at the entrance. Take it with you.

Before you enter the hot spring tubs, wash yourself. Thoroughly and everywhere. 

Because the bath is for soaking, not washing. You should enter it sparkling clean.

Expect a small stool, a handheld shower, and a bucket. You’ll sit in a row with many others next to you.

It’s simple: scrub, shampoo and rinse. Make sure you leave a clean spot behind for the next person. 

Now you are ready for the bath.

Enter the bath slowly, because the water is hot. And importantly, keep your hair and the small towel out of the water. The trick is to balance the towel on your head while soaking.

Once in the water: enjoy. It’s a warm embrace. 

No swimming or splashing. No loud noises, only low voices. Onsen are for quiet relaxation. 

When done, many people don’t rinse again. It can be nice to leave the minerals from the water on the skin. 

Some onsen have shared relaxation areas where men and women can meet after changing and enjoy drinks and food. 

And one word on tattoos. Many traditional onsen don’t allow them. Sorry. 

Why? Because they are traditionally associated with organized crime. And stigma sticks.  

But in tourist areas and big cities you can often find more modern onsen that welcome guests with tattoos. Or just get a private bath, which is also fun!

Yes, an onsen can feel strange at first. But somewhere between the first hot soak and realizing that nobody cares you’re naked, something changes. 

You stop thinking about the etiquette, relax and soak. 

Literally and culturally. 

Did you know: 

• Thanks to Japan’s volcanic geology, natural hot springs are found throughout the country. There are more than 27,000 natural hot spring sources.
• Onsen water isn’t all the same. Depending on the minerals in it, the water can be clear, milky, salty, sulfurous or even slightly acidic. The different types have been traditionally associated with different bathing benefits.
• Some onsen are outdoors, surrounded by forests, mountains, rivers or snow. Soaking in hot spring water while surrounded by nature is a classic onsen experience.

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