Onsen and public baths

❃ Onsen and public baths

温泉はどこですか。 [ Onsen wa doko desu ka. ]: Where is the hot spring (onsen)?
これは男湯ですか、女湯ですか。 [ Kore wa otokoyu desu ka, onnayu desu ka. ]: Is this the men's or women's bath?
タトゥーがあっても入れますか。 [ Tatuu ga atte mo hairemasu ka. ]: Can I enter if I have tattoos?
お湯に入る前に体を洗ってください。 [ Oyu ni hairu mae ni karada o aratte kudasai. ]: Please wash your body before entering the bath.
タオルを湯船に入れないでください。 [ Taoru o yubune ni irenaide kudasai. ]: Please do not put your towel in the bathtub.
貸しタオルはありますか。 [ Kashi taoru wa arimasu ka. ]: Do you have rental towels?
混浴ですか。 [ Konyoku desu ka. ]: Is it a mixed-gender bath?
ロッカーはどこですか。 [ Rokkaa wa doko desu ka. ]: Where are the lockers?
日帰り入浴はできますか。 [ Higaeri nyuuyoku wa dekimasu ka. ]: Can non-staying guests use the bath?
お湯がとても熱いです。 [ Oyu ga totemo atsui desu. ]: The water is very hot.
サウナはありますか。 [ Sauna wa arimasu ka. ]: Is there a sauna?
水着は着用できません。 [ Mizugi wa chakuyou dekimasen. ]: Swimsuits are not allowed.
髪の長い方は結んでください。 [ Kami no nagai kata wa musunde kudasai. ]: Please tie up your hair if it's long.
シャンプーとボディーソープは備え付けですか。 [ Shanpuu to bodii soopu wa sonaetsuke desu ka. ]: Are shampoo and body wash provided?
最高に気持ちいいですね。 [ Saikou ni kimochiii desu ne. ]: It feels absolutely great.

Cultural notes

Bathing in a Japanese hot spring, or "Onsen" (温泉), is a deeply spiritual and intensely relaxing cultural ritual, but it comes with the strictest set of hygiene and etiquette rules in the country. The absolute most important rule that shocks many Westerners is that bathing is done completely naked. Swimsuits ("Mizugi" - 水着) are strictly forbidden, as they are considered unclean and would contaminate the pure, mineral-rich volcanic water. The process begins in the changing room, where you leave all your clothes in a locker. Before stepping into the communal bath, you must proceed to the low shower stations lining the wall. Here, you are required to sit on a small stool and thoroughly wash, scrub, and rinse your entire body ("Karada o arau" - 体を洗う). Only when you are perfectly clean and absolutely free of any soap suds are you allowed to slowly enter the hot spring. You will be given a small modesty towel for walking around, but this towel must never touch the bathwater; locals usually fold it and balance it on top of their heads while soaking. Another very significant cultural hurdle for foreign visitors is the strict policy regarding tattoos, known as "Tatuu" (タトゥー) or "Irezumi" (入れ墨). Historically associated with organized crime (the Yakuza) in Japan, tattoos are still banned in the vast majority of public baths, swimming pools, and gyms. If you have a very small tattoo, you might be allowed in if you completely cover it with a waterproof bandage. However, for larger pieces, you will need to seek out "tattoo-friendly" onsens or book a "Kashikiriburo" (貸切風呂), which is a private hot spring bath. Respecting these ancient hygiene rules is paramount to enjoying the profound tranquility of the onsen experience.

✣

← Room and facilities Contents Check-out and lockers →

Other sections

Greetings Politeness and apologies Aizuchi and reactions Understanding and repeating Introducing yourself Basic questions Numbers and classifiers Time and dates Requests and permissions Speech levels Asking directions Location Station and tickets IC cards Train and Shinkansen Subway Bus Taxi Airport Driving and cycling Restaurant Ordering food Izakaya Fast food Diets and allergies Bill and takeaway Convenience stores Supermarket and street stalls Clothes shopping Shopping and tax-free Checkout and refunds Hotel and Ryokan Room and facilities Check-out and lockers AirBnb and rules Wi-Fi and SIM Bank and money Post and administration Lost and found General health Describing symptoms Pains and body Pharmacy Hospital and clinic Emergencies Natural disasters Police and accidents Travel problems Family Work and colleagues Feelings and emotions Hobbies and pop culture Tourism and impressions Weather and seasons Invitations and outings Opinions and refusals Visiting someone's home Farewells and contact