Japan Onsen Etiquette: 3 Rules to Know Before You Soak
Before you get into an onsen bath, wash your whole body, because the water is shared. Keep your small towel out of the water and put it on your head, and leave your phone in the locker, since photos in the bath are not allowed.
Video out Oct 9The 20-second video, with Hako. Follow on YouTube to catch it.
The 3 things to know
Wash your whole body first
Wash your whole body before you get in, because the water is shared. Sit on the small stool, and keep soap and shampoo out of the tub.
Towel out of the water
Keep your small towel out of the water and put it on your head. Tie long hair up.
No photos in the bath
No photos in the bath, so leave your phone in the locker.
Quick answers
Can I go into an onsen with a tattoo?
It depends on the facility. Some accept small tattoos covered with a sticker, some welcome tattoos, and many offer private baths, so check before you pay.
Do I need a swimsuit in an onsen?
No. In public and shared onsen you go in nude with only a small towel. Mixed-gender pools and some spa resorts may require swimwear, so check the facility.
What is the difference between an onsen and a sento?
An onsen uses natural hot-spring water, while a sento is a neighborhood public bath with heated tap water. The bathing manners are the same.
Read the video transcript
Going to an onsen in Japan? Three rules first.
One. Wash your whole body before you get in. The water is shared.
Two. Keep your small towel out of the water. Put it on your head.
Three. No photos in the bath, so leave your phone in the locker.
Now relax. You've earned it.
Sources & how we checked
The tips on this page were checked against these official pages:
- japan.travelJNTO - 7 tattoo-friendly onsen in Japan
- pref.shizuoka.jpShizuoka Prefecture - Japanese etiquette guide (PDF)
- mlit.go.jpJapan Tourism Agency - Ryokan Q&A on bathing manners (Japanese)
- Updated
- Video
- 20 seconds, made by Ready in Japan
- Good to know
- Rules can vary by place. Follow local signs and staff.
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