Dear travelers, this article will tell you how to get into an onsen (hot spring). There are many wonderful hot spring resorts in Japan, and the onsen experience is one of the best parts of a trip to Japan.
However, your first time in an onsen may be a bit confusing. Therefore, we would like to share with you some tips on how to enjoy onsen, such as what to do before and after entering an onsen and etiquette in the changing rooms.
Onsen facilities are a great way to relieve daily fatigue and stress and refresh your body and mind. Enjoy a pleasant moment in a healing space filled with the blessings of hot springs and forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Enjoy a blissful moment soaking in a superb hot spring bath to relieve physical fatigue and relax your mind.
How to Use Onsen
The general procedure for entering an onsen in Japan is as follows: If you are enjoying an onsen without staying overnight
Storing in shoe boxes
Shoe boxes are located near the entrance of the facility. Take off your shoes outside and store them in the shoe box. If the shoe box is equipped with a lock, lock the shoe box. Long boots and other long shoes may not fit in the shoe box. In such cases, please consult with the front desk.
Reception and payment
Pay the admission fee at the reception desk. In some cases, locker fees and rental equipment fees may also be included. They will keep the key to the shoe box.
Move to the changing rooms
Go to the changing rooms and put your clothes and belongings in the lockers. Some facilities may have yukata (Japanese bathrobes) and towels for rent.
If you are uncomfortable with the idea of being naked, use a small towel to cover yourself.
Put your clothes in a locker. If there are no lockers with locks, use a locker to store your valuables.
Washing the body
In Japanese hot springs, you must wash your body before taking a bath. Use a shower or other means to rinse off dirt and sebum.
After using the washing area, bubbles and other debris should be washed away, and chairs and bath tubs returned to their original positions.
Entering the Onsen
After washing your body, enter the onsen. When bathing, it is common to bring a bath towel or a small towel, but towels should not be placed in the bathtub.
Before bathing, “kakeyu” (pouring hot water over the body) is used to acclimate the body to the temperature of the hot water.
The following precautions should be taken when bathing.
Hydrate before and after bathing
Bathing causes sweating. If you use a sauna, you will sweat profusely. Hydration beforehand will help prevent dehydration. In addition, blood vessels dilate during bathing, which can put a strain on the heart.
After bathing
After getting out of the onsen, wipe your body with a towel. If you do not have a towel, shake off the water from your body with your hands. This is to avoid getting the floor of the changing room wet. After bathing, drink water. Be careful not to let the water cool down.
What is hot water cooling?
The body temperature that has warmed up more than usual during a bath may be lost more than necessary due to excessive efforts to restore the body’s normal temperature. If the body and hair remain wet, the outside air cools them and deprives them of body heat. Dry your hair before it is exposed to the outside air or air conditioning in the winter.
Using the facilities
Depending on the facility, visitors can enjoy facilities and activities other than onsen, such as rest areas, dining areas, and footbaths.
Exit the facility
After enjoying the onsen, change in the changing rooms, organize your belongings, and leave the facility.
These are general procedures, but there may be minor differences depending on the facility, so it is important to check the information upon entering.
Conclusion
Onsen are a part of Japanese culture and much loved by many people. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when bathing in onsen. It is important to understand the types of onsen, etiquette, and bathing methods to have an enjoyable onsen experience. When visiting a hot spring resort, please refer to the points mentioned in this article. You will be healed and refreshed by the comforting hot springs.
