Onsen is often linked with Japanese bath customs. These hot springs are found across Japan, but they are not frequently visited by the Japanese, as they are reserved for special occasions.
A study conducted by Statista in 2022 reported that nearly 60% of the Japanese population did not visit an onsen. Despite this, bathing is seen as a sacred ritual by many Japanese people—a time dedicated to purifying the mind and body, resting, and resetting.
In this loved tradition, the bath turns into a safe place that helps you step away from all of the day's stress and problems, helping your body and mind to fully refresh.
Continue reading to discover more fascinating aspects of bath culture in Japan.
Japanese Bath Customs in Public Places
In case you plan to visit a public bath or hot spring in Japan, it's good to know about their bathing culture. Below, you'll learn more about hot springs and public bathhouses in this country.
Hot Springs - Onsens
Hot springs or onsens, contain specific amount of chemicals and minerals in the water.
There are more than 20,000 onsens all over Japan. Some are high up in the mountains, while others can be found in big cities. However, they all have one thing in common - they're places where people can unwind and relax.
Tourists visit the best onsens in Hakone, Arima, and Beppu because these places offer the special healing experience for which Japanese hot springs are famous.
Public Baths - Sento
Sentos are public bathhouses. A typical sento has separate rooms for men and women. There's also a locker room for changing clothes.
People usually go to sentos to enjoy a big bathtub or just to chat with others. Sento usually has an entrance, changing room, heater room, and bathing area. Nowadays, many sentos also have saunas.
Some sentos, called super sentos, offer hot springs, spa baths, and different kinds of tubs. There might also be places to eat or get a haircut. Visitors can enjoy steam baths, open-air baths, and whirlpool baths. There are even rooms with different levels of humidity and temperature. Some super sentos have a cold room for cooling off.
How to Use Sento and Onsen
There are some rules you need to know when going to public baths or hot springs in Japan. Make sure to know these things to avoid problems.
1. Clean Yourself Before Entering the Bath
This custom might seem unusual to foreigners. But when you realize it's a communal bath meant for relaxing, it makes sense not to dirty the water.
After paying the entrance fee and taking off your clothes, you'll usually go into a room where you can wash yourself in a small tub filled with water and soap that you bring with you or buy there. Make sure you really clean yourself, not just rinse off.
Follow the etiquette and give yourself a proper wash. Remember to sit on the stool that's there while you wash so that you don't splash other people, since the shower heads are close together in the bathroom.
2. Be Comfortable Being Naked
Sentos are a lot like onsens - you don't wear clothes when you bathe. Many places won't let you wear anything - even swimming suits - when you're in the official bathing area. You can have a towel to cover yourself as you come and go, but you can't take it into the water.
Don't worry, though. The bathing areas are separated, with designated sections for men and women, so you don't have to be concerned about people from the other group seeing you.
If you go to a big sento that also has hot tubs or swimming pools, you need to wear a swimming suit in those places because both men and women can be there. So make sure you know what kind of sento you're going to and bring the right clothes.
3. Check If Tattoos are Allowed
If you have a tattoo, some bathing places in Japan might not let you in. That's why you should check their website to see what they say about tattoos.
Some places in Japan are getting less strict about tattoos. If you can cover your tattoo with a sticker or sleeve, they might allow you to enter.
4. Respect Others' Space
Remember, the baths are built to hold many people at once. So, you don't have to avoid entering just because others are already enjoying the bath. But, if there's not enough room to comfortably sit, simply move on to find a less crowded bath. Try not to be the person who creates big splashes and disturbances when getting in or out of the bath.
Chatting with friends is absolutely fine, just make sure to speak softly. Keeping public conversations quiet is an important part of Japanese etiquette. In fact, the rule about not being overly loud also applies in other public areas like trains.
Japanese Bath Customs at Home
For the Japanese, bathing at home is similar to bathing in a hot spring. Carefully cleaning the bathroom, putting hot water in the bathtub, and adding washing powders all set the scene for a relaxing time. This mixture shows a deep appreciation for the cleanliness of the bathing space.
Before getting into the tub, a key step is washing before the bath. This proper cleaning outside the tub makes sure you are thoroughly clean. It follows the Japanese idea of keeping a clean bathing experience. This helps you have a really refreshing soak in the tub.
At last, after careful preparation and cleaning, you can enjoy a relaxing soak. This whole bathing process not only cleans your body but also calms your mind. It's a great way to unwind after a busy day. It's a peaceful moment of self-care—a break from daily life's noise and stress.
What Japanese Bath Accessories You Should Have?
Japanese houses are interesting because the toilet and bathtub are in different rooms. The room that has the bathtub is the only one that can be called a "bathroom."
If you want to try Japanese bathing, you need a few essential japanese bath accessories. You need a Japanese-style tub called an Ofuro. You also need oils, soaps, a Hinoki wood bath bucket, and a Japanese bath towel like the popular Imabari towel from Japarcana. These things make the Japanese bathing experience special and true to tradition.
Final Words
Japanese bath customs offer a unique blend of rest, cleansing, and mental refreshment, deeply rooted in tradition and respect for purification.
Whether you're visiting a public onsen or sento, or partaking in mindful bath routines at home, understanding these practices enhances appreciation of this essential aspect of Japanese culture.
Check out Japarcana's exclusive collection of Imabari towels to enhance your bathing ritual. We're here to help you bring a touch of Japanese tradition to your home bath experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does onsen allow both genders?
Onsen, the traditional Japanese hot spring baths, have been part of Japanese culture for centuries. Originally, these were shared spaces where both men and women bathed together. However, the modern practice is to separate bathers by gender. Nowadays, mixed-gender onsen, known as konyoku, are quite rare and even prohibited in some areas like Tokyo.
What's the purpose of the little towel at an onsen?
In a Japanese bath or onsen, you'll typically see two kinds of towels. The smaller one is used inside the bath. People use it to clean themselves and to modestly cover themselves when they move around the bathing area. The larger towel, on the other hand, is kept in the changing room and used to dry off after bathing.
What is the typical price for using an onsen?
The expense of visiting a public onsen usually varies between 500 and 2,000 yen ($5 to $20) per individual. In contrast, private onsens, known for offering more upscale and exclusive experiences, tend to charge between 5,000 and 10,000 yen ($50 to $100) per guest.