Visiting an Onsen in Japan // Which Onsen & What Should I Know

Onsen in Japan 🤩 Your Complete Go To Guide

Visiting an onsen in Japan is an absolute must. Onsens are the natural hot springs in Japan and a big part of Japanese culture.

They’re popular with both old and young, male and female, and there is a reason this tradition hasn’t been lost with time… Onsens are really great.

They also come with a load of health benefits, which is dependent on which type of bath you’re soaking in (i.e sulphur, other minerals etc.) 

However, there are a few rules. Visiting one for the first time can be pretty daunting. You’ve got language barriers to face, cultural etiquette to manage and you’ll be doing this all entirely naked. 

Nevertheless, visiting an onsen in Japan is not an experience you want to miss just because it all seems a bit too daunting.

The best thing you can do is prepare yourself for a visit to an onsen in Japan.

That’s why we are here! Once you’ve read up, you’re ready to go… 

So let’s dive right in! 

Japanese Onsen – What Is An Onsen?

TOP TIPS – Visiting an Onsen

Japanese Onsen – Rules To Remember

Japanese Onsen – Best Onsen in Japan

Japanese Onsen – FAQ’s

Onsen in Japan // 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.

The public bath is most often divided into two sections, male and female, and neither can see the other.

There is generally no point in which males and females hang out together (unlike in Korea and China where you often get a recreational room space after the bathing area) unless you have a private onsen. 

Onsen in Japan // TOP TIPS – Visiting an Onsen

The first thing you need to consider when visiting an onsen in Japan is HOW you’re going to do it.

There really is quite a bit to learn, but no worry, because here is our ultimate step-by-step guide on visiting an Onsen in Japan: 

1. Hydrate well
2. Take your shoes off
3. Buy a ticket and walk into the right door (male or female)
4. Collect the items you will be given (maybe a towel, shampoo etc. Bring some soap of your own just in case) 
5. 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) 
6. Enter the bathing area and go to the showers. Wash off thoroughly 
7. Bathe away
8. Get a feel for the different water temperatures
9. Keep hydrated
10. Once you’ve had enough, shower off again (if you wish) then enter the area again with your clothes, towel yourself off, and leave
11. Change back into your shoes
12. Thank the nice lady/man at the desk and leave the onsen

Sometimes (actually make that most times), male and female are not written in English. Look out for these signs.

More often than not, women is marked with a red curtain, and men is blue.

Men | 男
Women | 女

Onsens can be found on the street with these Japanese kanji 湯 (or Hiragana ゆ).

Some onsens in Japan also have massages and other services available. 

As with most places in Japan, you are likely to find a vending machine in an onsen – so no excuse not to stay hydrated. 

Some onsens double up as hotels. Or, rather, some hotels have their own onsen, as well as your own bathroom in your own room.

Make sure to follow the rules of this onsen. It is good practice to go there dressed in a dressing gown or traditional Japanese attire if this is provided. 

The small towel that they give you most likely include the name of the onsen on it.

Unlike in Korea, bathing houses in Japan do not have an area for sleeping or chilling out with your friends for an extended period of time.

Don’t try to do this here. Although, I have seen Japanese people sleeping on the floor in the locker rooms before. 

You may want to bring your own items to shower in (shampoo, body wash etc). Bring a small plastic basket with you for these items. Sometimes, the onsen provides this, though. 

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Onsen in Japan // Rules To Remember

NO TATTOOS

Tattoos are NOT allowed. 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.

Nevertheless, be aware that it will be making others around you feel uncomfortable.

A lot of people can get away with just simply walking in, bathing, walking out again. If you want to make sure to stick with etiquette and not cause offence, it is best to first ask at the desk if tattoos are permitted 

This rule is in place because tattoos in Japan are associated with gang culture and the yakuza group.

Times are changing, but probably more slowly in Japan than you’d expect. Whilst you’ll see some young people with tattoos in Japan, it’s generally not an accepted part of the culture.

DON’T RUN OR SHOUT

Sounds obvious, but this is a calm and tranquil place.

Respect it and respect everyone with you.

NO PHOTOS

Whilst it may be tempting, everyone is walking round naked – so please, no photos. 

NO BATHING SUITS

NO, you really REALLY cannot wear a bathing suit.

I can’t stress how offensive this would be – and how you would get kicked out straight away.

You would contaminate the entire bathing area, as any clothing etc is seen as unclean.

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Things Not to Do in Japan 🇯🇵 The ULTIMATE list of DON’Ts for your time in Japan and how to maintain perfect Japanese Etiquette

Onsen in Japan // Best Onsen in Japan

Time to now discover some of the best onsens in Japan.

You can see an onsen in Japan as an experience. You spend a couple of hours in one in the centre of Tokyo and treat it as a nice relax. 

You can also see an onsen in Japan as a spa day and head out to a big fancy one with multiple baths and services such as massages. 

Or, you can see an onsen in Japan as a reason to travel.

There really are some onsens in Japan that are worth travelling to.

Onsens in Japan can vary in size and in scenery. You could find one onsen in the middle of a city with only one bath, or you could find yourself in an onsen with an outside area covered in snow.

You could find yourself in an onsen area you need to walk around for a good few minutes until you have figured out which way to go, or you could go to a novelty onsen area that has ‘wine’ scented baths and such. 

Let’s take a look at the biggest and best onsens in Japan… (very difficult as there are literally hundreds). 

Best Onsens in Japan | Beppu Onsen (Oita)

Best Onsens in Japan | Hakone (Kanagawa)

Best Onsens in Japan | Fuji Kawaguchiko Onsen (Fuji Region)

Best Onsens in Japan | Noboribetsu Onsen (Hokkaido)

Best Onsens in Japan | Arima Onsen (Hyogo)

Best Onsens in Japan | Sunamushi Onsen (Kagoshima)

Beppu Onsen (Oita)

Potentially one of Japan’s most famous and best onsens, Beppu is THE onsen region to visit for onsen lovers.

Enjoy a variety of baths from steam baths to mud baths… Beppu onsen is an onsen area with hundreds of different onsens throughout the region. 

Pick one onsen to stay in, or make your way through a few!

Hakone (Kanagawa)

Only one hour from Tokyo, you can stay overnight here. 

Surrounded by mountains, and with a view of Mt. Fuji! 

Fuji Kawaguchiko Onsen (Fuji Region)

Another Fuji onsen not to miss. This onsen in Japan looks out to Mt Fuji (Fuji San).

It is based at the lake right at the bottom of Mt. Fuji. 

Perfect to visit after climbing; rest those legs! 

Noboribetsu Onsen (Hokkaido)

One of Japan’s most famous onsens, Noboribetsu onsen in Hokkaido won’t disappoint.

Great for an intense health experience famous for the wide range of minerals offering health benefits. Noboribetsu onsen is located in a popular onsen area known as ‘hell valley’. 

Arima Onsen (Hyogo)

Hyogo is a region you’ll find when exploring the Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe triangle. It’s about 2 hours on the bullet train from Tokyo, and not too far from Osaka. 

It’s a beautiful traditional area, not too crowded with tourists.

It’s one of the oldest onsen regions throughout the whole of Japan!

Sunamushi Onsen (Kagoshima)

A bonus onsen! Anyone fancy seeking that “bizarre” Japan experience?

How about lying down on the beach where you will then be buried with hot sand and left to cook for 10 minutes. 

Sound weird? Yes, it is! 

So that’s about it, all you need to know about visiting an onsen in Japan, including how to visit and onsen, why to visit and onsen, and where to visit an onsen in Japan! 

Don’t miss out on this experience on a visit to Japan.

You’ll thank me later! 

Have you been to a Japanese onsen? If so why not tell us in the comments below, we’d love to hear your story!

Onsen in Japan // FAQ’s

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