The way to enjoy Onsen to the fullest - Hot springs, bath culture in Japan

Written by komatsu

Translated by A Carnegie

1.10.2020　(Re:6.1.2022)

The popularity of the onsen (温泉)♨or natural hot springs among the Japanese and of course for tourists is one of the indications of how important the bath culture is in Japan.

There may be different ways to enter an onsen tub, but there are manners to be aware of for better enjoyment. On this occasion we will present the recommended way to enter an onsen bathtub.

　1. Onsen | Hot Springs

　2. Before entering the bathtub or onsen

　3. Once inside

　4. Before entering the bathtub

　5. To the bathtub!

　6. Onsen in a good Japanese style

　7. After enjoying it enough

　8. Before going back to the dressing room

　9. A nice drink after the bath

　10. Precautions when taking a hot spring

　11. Recommended hot springs

1. Onsen | Hot Springs♨

In Japan, a volcanic country, there are a total of 2,986 hot springs resort and 27,261 natural springs.

If the temperature of the source is around 25 °C or more, or if it contains one of the 19 specific components and if these components have reached the specified value, it can be said to be a “hot spring”.

Kagoshima prefecture has the second largest number of hot springs in Japan, most of the public baths or community baths in the prefecture are hot springs. It could even be said that Kagoshima residents have become far more familiar with onsen than any other Japanese from another department.

2. Before entering the bathtub or onsen

Don’t forget to hydrate enough and you must remove all clothes in the dressing room. You cannot bathe in underwear or a bathing suit. Inside where the bathtubs are, only take what is necessary, a towel, soap, shampoo and other hygiene items.

3. Once inside

Wash your body first, while doing so be careful not to splash other people around you.

4. Before entering the bathtub

Before soaking in the hot springs, first wet your body with hot water. Kake-yu（かけ湯）about 10 cups. Is done carefully to acclimate the body to the temperature. Start with your feet and hands, as these are the furthest places from your chest to prevent blood pressure from rising immediately after diving.

5. To the bathtub!

When taking a bath, take a slow bath in the order of “foot bath-> half-body bath-> full-body bath” to reduce the burden of water pressure, temperature and stimulation of hot springs. Also, it is recommended to take a Bunkatsu-yoku “take breaks” where you get out of the bathtub and take a break rather than taking a long bath at once.

6. Onsen in a good Japanese style

As they get into the bathtub, the Japanese put a very wet towel on their heads. This has a meaning, for the “indoor bath” or the Rotenburo (露天風呂) “summer outdoor bath” it is said that a cold towel is effective so that the blood does not rise to the head.

7. After enjoying it enough

When you finish your bath you can use the agariyu (上がり湯) which is a clean hot thermal water to rinse the body, if there is no this water, rinse it lightly with a shower. The point is to rinse the body lightly so as not to lose the possibility of benefiting from all the minerals in these waters.

8. Before going back to the dressing room

It is polite to dry your body before going to the dressing room. Do not forget to dry yourself well so as not to wet the dressing room where many other people also use it.

9. A nice drink after the bath

Good hydration is important after bathing. In Japan, it is customary to drink milk after taking a hot spring, and many hot spring facilities sell it, so when you visit one of these places be sure to enjoy the Japanese style.