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Onsen are usually divided into separate male and female baths with separate changing rooms, though you may find the odd exception.
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The men’s changing area usually has the symbol ... |
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And women’s has the symbol ............................... |
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The main thing to remember when you visit an onsen is that you must thoroughly wash your body all over and rinse off all the soap before actually getting into the hot spring itself.
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Most onsen provide showers and soap for just this purpose, so sit down on the provided stools and scrub away.
Be sure to take a big towel for drying off if you are not staying at an onsen (a small face cloth is good for washing down too).
You will notice that many bathers cover their private parts with small towels when walking around the bathing area, this is not a hard and fast rule but it does help relations if non-Japanese show a little modesty.
OK! Let’s test the water:
- Get undressed and place your clothes in either the baskets or lockers in the changing room (if there are only baskets, you may want to leave your valuables with the management). Leave your towel with your clothes.
- Head for the shower area, wash your whole body and rinse off all the soap. Shower sitting down, don’t stand up and shower if you can help it.
- Get slowly into the bath so as not to disturb fellow bathers. It may be very hot, so it’s wise to test the water first.
If it’s very hot, ease yourself in slowly and keep as still as possible once immersed, this way you don’t feel the heat so much.
Don’t stay in too long if you feel a little light headed, get out and relax for a few minutes before getting back in.
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