Q: What is an Onsen?

A Japanese onsen is a natural spring public bath. They are popular throughout East Asia, but each country has their own take on them. Japan is one of the most famed for its onsens; particularly the picturesque ones in mountains or in the snow. Onsen is a Japanese word after all - 温泉 and translates to hot springs .

Q: What is the translation of Onsen in English?

Onsen simply translates to hot springs in English .

Q: What are some important tips to follow at a Japanese onsen?

Hydrate well Take your shoes off Buy a ticket and walk into the right door (male or female) Collect the items you will be given (maybe a towel, shampoo etc. Bring some soap of your own just in case) Put all your belongings into the locker. Your clothing, too. All of it. Apart from the SMALL towel you were given (this is for your head, the big towel is for drying) Enter the bathing area and go to the showers. Wash off thoroughly Bathe away Get a feel for the different water temperatures Keep hydrated Once you’ve had enough, shower off again (if you wish) then enter the area again with your clothes, towel yourself off, and leave Change back into your shoes Thank the nice lady/man at the desk and leave the onsen

Q: I have tattoos - can I visit a Japanese onsen?

Tattoos are NOT allowed but there is a reprieve! There are a few ‘tattoo friendly’ onsens in Japan but you must bear in mind that normally, tattoos are not allowed in the onsen. This means that if you have tattoos on any part of your body, you should cover them up or else you will not be permitted in. If you can’t cover your tattoo with a plaster or something similar then you may be asked to leave the onsen - or not permitted entry in the first place. Do note that foreigners can get away with this a lot of the time - mainly because the caretaker might be too nervous to come up to you to tell you off.

Question 1

What is an Onsen?

Accepted Answer

A Japanese onsen is a natural spring public bath. They are popular throughout East Asia, but each country has their own take on them.

Japan is one of the most famed for its onsens; particularly the picturesque ones in mountains or in the snow. Onsen is a Japanese word after all - 温泉 and translates to hot springs.

Question 2

What is the Japanese spelling of Onsen?

Accepted Answer

Onsen in Japanese Kanji is 温泉.

Question 3

What is the translation of Onsen in English?

Accepted Answer

Onsen simply translates to hot springs in English.

Question 4

What are some important tips to follow at a Japanese onsen?

Accepted Answer

Hydrate well

Take your shoes off

Buy a ticket and walk into the right door (male or female)

Collect the items you will be given (maybe a towel, shampoo etc. Bring some soap of your own just in case)

Put all your belongings into the locker. Your clothing, too. All of it. Apart from the SMALL towel you were given (this is for your head, the big towel is for drying)

Enter the bathing area and go to the showers. Wash off thoroughly

Bathe away

Get a feel for the different water temperatures

Keep hydrated

Once you’ve had enough, shower off again (if you wish) then enter the area again with your clothes, towel yourself off, and leave

Change back into your shoes

Thank the nice lady/man at the desk and leave the onsen

Question 5

I have tattoos - can I visit a Japanese onsen?

Accepted Answer

Tattoos are NOT allowed but there is a reprieve!

There are a few ‘tattoo friendly’ onsens in Japan but you must bear in mind that normally, tattoos are not allowed in the onsen.

This means that if you have tattoos on any part of your body, you should cover them up or else you will not be permitted in.

If you can’t cover your tattoo with a plaster or something similar then you may be asked to leave the onsen - or not permitted entry in the first place.

Do note that foreigners can get away with this a lot of the time - mainly because the caretaker might be too nervous to come up to you to tell you off.

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