The onsen (hot spring) is one of the true highlights of a Japan trip. But for first-timers, the small unknowns can feel surprisingly stressful: Where do I undress? What do I do with my towel? When am I supposed to wash? The good news is the rules are simple, and once you know the essentials, you'll move through the bath like a local. Here's the order, step by step.
The one-line summary: wash your body before entering the bath, never dip your towel in the water, and keep it quiet and relaxed. Get those three right and you've covered 90% of it.
Before You Go In — The Changing Room
The entrance to the main bathing hall (daiyokujo) is almost always split into separate sections for men and women, marked by a curtain (noren). Red usually means women, blue usually means men — if the kanji trips you up, just remember the colors.
- In the changing room, you undress completely. Japanese onsen are bathed in nude, not in swimwear.
- Put your clothes and belongings in a basket or personal locker. For anything valuable, it's safer to leave it in your room safe or at the front desk beforehand.
- Leave your large bath towel in the changing room, and bring only the small face towel into the bathing area.
💡 Glasses are fine to wear, but steam can fog them up and the floor can be slippery. If you wear contacts, it's often more comfortable to close your eyes and relax in the outdoor bath.
Washing Your Body — The Most Important Step
This is the single most important piece of onsen etiquette. You must wash your body thoroughly before entering the bath.
- 1As soon as you enter the bathing area, do kakeyu (かけ湯) first — scoop bath water with the small bucket provided and pour it over your feet and legs (starting farthest from your heart) to let your body adjust to the temperature.
- 2At the washing stations (the seats with individual showerheads), wash your body and hair thoroughly with soap and shampoo. Amenities are provided at almost every facility.
- 3Once you're done, rinse off every trace of suds. Never step into the bath with soap still on your skin.
- 4Rinse your stool and bucket with water and leave them where you found them for the next person.
Manners Inside the Bath
Once you're clean, it's time to soak.
- Never let your towel touch the bath water. Rest it on your head or set it on the edge of the tub instead. The onsen water is shared by everyone.
- Keep your hair out of the water. If it's long, tie it up or clip it back.
- Don't swim or talk loudly in the bath — an onsen is a place for quiet relaxation.
- Photography is strictly off-limits. It's a matter of everyone else's privacy, so leave your phone behind entirely.
- Soak for about five to ten minutes at a time. If you start feeling lightheaded, step out and rest before going back in.
💡 Onsen water typically runs 40–42°C (104–108°F), noticeably hotter than a standard pool or hot tub back home. Ease in rather than submerging all at once, and consider soaking just your lower body first if the heat feels intense.
Getting Out
- Before heading back to the changing room, pat yourself dry with the small towel. It's a simple courtesy that keeps the floor from getting soaked.
- If you'd like to keep the mineral benefits on your skin, you don't need to rinse off with fresh water afterward (though if you have sensitive skin and soaked in a strong sulfur spring or similar, a light rinse is a good idea).
- Dry off fully with your large towel in the changing room before getting dressed. And don't forget to rehydrate after your soak.
Types of Baths — What's the Difference?
- Daiyokujo (大浴場): The large indoor communal bath — the standard shared bathing space at most properties.
- Rotenburo (露天風呂): An outdoor bath. Soaking while taking in the scenery and open air is the ultimate onsen experience.
- Kashikiriburo (貸切風呂): A private, reservable bath just for your group. It's a great option for families, couples, or anyone with tattoos who'd rather skip the communal bath.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go in if I have a tattoo?
Policy varies by property. More and more places are becoming tattoo-friendly, but some still restrict access to the main communal bath. If that's a concern, look for a room with a private bath (kashikiriburo) or an in-room open-air bath so you can soak without a second thought.
Can I bathe during my period?
For hygiene reasons, it's generally best to skip the communal bath. A room with its own private bath is the better option.
Can I bring my kids in with me?
Generally yes, though age limits and mixed-bathing rules vary by facility. If you're traveling with young children, a ryokan with a family bath (kashikiriburo) makes things much easier.
Is it okay to drink and then soak?
Never bathe after drinking alcohol. The shift in blood pressure can be dangerous — save the drinks for dinner, after your bath.
You've got the sequence down now: wash first, keep your towel out of the water, and enjoy it quietly. Hold onto that instinct and you'll feel right at home in any onsen you visit.
Where can you experience this?
Book directly at Japan's best onsen towns with Ryokanear.