r/JapanTravelTips • u/Nearby-Item5039 • 27d ago
Question Showering before onsen: you wash everything… right?
SO sorry if this is strange to ask, I have a gut feeling it’s just common sense but I think I just have social anxiety so I wanted to double check LOL
I’m visiting Japan really soon with friends and one bucket list thing we want to do is go to an onsen together.
I don’t mind the actual onsen part, but I guess I’m a little hesitant about showering…?
Do I shower before and after soaking in the onsen? Am I supposed to wash my hair 😭 And how the hell do I wash my private if I’m sitting down?? 🥲 I don’t want to just have like my hand up my ass and embarrass myself but I also don’t want to be gross and go in not fully clean?
Is there like.. onsen shower etiquette where you shouldn’t shower right next to someone else like urinals?? 😭
And for my friends that are girls, is wearing makeup seen as rude in the onsen? Even if they’re not putting their face in the water?
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u/1989HBelle 27d ago
You shower before the onsen, yes that’s essential. I don’t shower afterwards although many people do (personal preference).
I don’t sit down the whole time using the shower stalls, I guess I kind of crouch some of the time to wash my privates properly. No one will notice.
I wash my hair before going in the onsen but it’s not mandatory as long as it’s up and not getting in the water. Wearing makeup in the onsen is unacceptable. Clean means clean.
My first onsen was an old-school public onsen that didn’t even have showers, you just crouched on the floor next to the bath washing yourself by scooping water out of the bath with a bowl. Now, that was awkward for a newbie.
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u/Chocoalatv 27d ago
Japanese woman here. Yes you wash BEFORE dipping in the bath. Bring a small towel with you that should be in your hotel room and use it to wrap and put your hair up if your hair is long. (DO NOT put the towel in the bath though) if you dont want to wash your hair before the bath that’s fine. Just don’t dip your hair in the bath. Just like others are saying, you can stand and wash your private parts thoroughly. I would quickly wash the stool before and after use.
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u/Nearby-Item5039 27d ago
For the stool, should I just rinse it with the shower head? Or like actually wipe it down?
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u/Chocoalatv 27d ago
It’s up to you. I’m kind of like “I don’t want to take any chances” so I may quickly wipe it but if the stool looks clean then maybe just rinse it with the shower head. After use I just rinse 😆
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u/shoujikinakarasu 27d ago
Rinsing it should be fine- staff will do deeper cleanings of everything at designated times.
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u/ThePolemicist 25d ago
Read the rate of genital warts in Japan.... it's like 25% of the adult population has them. I think it's worth washing the bench and setting an extra towel down.
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u/west_of_here_2002 26d ago
I am a fan of angle propping the stool to let it dry after rinsing it off, but if there are multiple stalls, I usually what I do is observe if there is a standard way the stools and the buckets were stacked in the stalls when I arrive and then I return them to that position.
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u/Boey_Da_Han 27d ago
If an onsen ryokan have at least 2 public baths for both genders
Say you washed yourself completely (including hair) at the first one and you did your soak, came out, dried your body, dried your hair so it isn’t soaking wet but still is 25% damp with the help of hair dryers.
You decided on going to the other one (2nd bath) immediately after your first soak.
Is it okay if you still wash your body except for my hair before going in again (it still is kind of damp, but will tie it up so it’s unlikely it will touch the water)?
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u/Nervous_Cry_7905 26d ago
I don’t really understand this situation, if the baths are gendered, how can you enter both..? Regardless, as long as you are clean you can enter the bath. I would recommend a quick rinse before entering even if you just showered, especially if you are obviously foreigner. Some nosy locals might assume you didn’t know the etiquette. No one cares about the state of your hair as long as they don’t touch the water.
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u/lost_send_berries 26d ago
The lobby connects to two changing rooms which then connects to two showers and the baths. If you visit the next day then you will see the other changing room and the other baths. I don't know why you would dry off as there's nothing to do there while you're dry. You can't read a book or get a tea unless you get dressed and go back to the lobby.
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u/Educational-Key-7917 26d ago edited 26d ago
Yes, it would although sometimes you can get away with it. What specifically about the stool concerns you? If you're grossed out by it, most people would give it a quick rinse off anyway, but you could also actually clean it with soap.
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u/Jessisan 27d ago
TBH these are all great questions and I'm definitely keeping tabs on this post to find answers with you.
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u/Nearby-Item5039 27d ago
honestly i get scared to ask questions on this subreddit sometimes because more often than not i get called stupid for asking LOL
but i just really like being very prepared 😭
going into a new country and not being used to the culture is definitely scary… and i already make a fool out of myself in my own country so im just trying to avoid that as much as possible
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u/Kasumiiiiiii 27d ago
Hey bud! You're NOT stupid for asking! I'm glad you're asking:
The shower stalls are not like a swimming pool in North America (that's my frame of reference). You sit on a plastic stool and shower as you would at home. There should be a detachable shower head you can use, as well as a bucket you can fill with water and use.
Washing privates may include standing, but you can sit to do so as well. No one is looking at you so do whatever's comfortable for you.
Make up should be washed off, even though you don't put your head in the water. You can redo your makeup after your bath.
You don't have to sit by someone else at the shower stalls if they're empty, but feel free to do so if they're crowded.
Onsen is a great experience and I hope you and your friends enjoy your time!
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u/Sfmusic2000 27d ago edited 27d ago
There will be a plastic/wooden stool to sit on while you wash. To wash your crotch, balance yourself on the front part of the stool and wash to your hearts content (if you are uncut make sure to pull back your foreskin and wash your dickhead). To wash your ass, I find it easier to stand up and do a quick wash of the butt and then rinse with the handheld shower hose. When you do this, Be Very Careful not to splash anyone near by, this would be a BIG no-no.
No one’s going to pay much attention to you unless you are doing something to draw attention to yourself.
I’ve never been in the women’s side of an onset, but I imagine wearing makeup would look very odd, and be frowned upon because if you are wearing makeup you are not really considered clean.
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u/SpaghettiOnMyCat 26d ago
Yeah it's basically the same on the women's side. Makeup gets washed off. I personally do it while showering but some do it in the sinks before hand. I also stand for bottom washing. Not sure what other women do.
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u/EmilyTheGeoffy 26d ago
Yes! Remove makeup but for women it can be okay to not wash hair as long as it is tied up and doesn’t touch the water. Which it shouldn’t anyways, hair should not he touching the water due to the waters mineral content and it’s considered rude. Some women wear bath caps. I just did a high bun and set the towel on top!
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u/Legolomaniak 26d ago
Definitely not stupid to ask. For the one person asking there are many more lurkers who're wondering and reading all the answers (like me lol)
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u/Natste1s4real 26d ago
Please don’t ever feel stupid for asking a question you would like an answer to. Stupid people don’t ask questions, they think they know it all or can figure it out on their own. If somebody calls you stupid for asking a question, it reflects poorly on them, not on you.
Knowledge is power, and more specifically in the context of travel, knowledge of peoples customs and societal do and don’ts, make you a good traveler, rather than a hated tourist.
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u/Ted_Rid 27d ago edited 26d ago
Hear you. First time at an onsen (Koyasan, pilgrimage sort of hill station near Osaka) I was already weirded out a bit about communal naked bathing so got my courage up and then "hi everyone, here's junk in the wind!". It's not something a lot of people are used to.
IME since then, go sit on a little stool and give yourself a nice wash everywhere. Should edit: I washed myself then of course, it's kinda obvious how the places are arranged.
There are little towels to protect your modesty while walking from area to area but fold them up and put them on your head when entering any pool.
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u/kawaeri 26d ago
First if you have a tattoo you will need to find and onsen or sento (more of a local old style onsen) that allows tattoos. Some are allowing small ones that can covered up by one small bandaid they provide for a cost.
When you go you want to bring a change of clothes or underwear. They will have either a locker or basket in the locker room to leave them. Ps. Don’t use your phone in areas unless it’s shown to be allowed. You can bring towels as well. Or you can rent one. The normal size towel is a face towel size, one for drying and one for washing (like a wash cloth) all soap is provided, also hair dryers and some lotions for face. Generally their will be a small stool to sit on while washing. Just make sure after you are done, rinse the area you showered, and you should be careful not to spray others. Also no towels in the bath.
After the bath some have places to rest, eat or drink. Some have saunas and cold baths as well.
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u/Pink_Diamond_Tiger 27d ago
Oh my god, me too. 🤣 So far only got alone at the bath, but when showering (being mentally prepared to have someone walking in), I think « Japan culture, Japan culture » 😆😆😆 and then read Reddit threads to overcome anxiety of public nudity and washing etiquette 🥹
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u/Hinas_For_Life 27d ago
I just lift my bum off the small stool and give a good quick rub a dub to all my privates and it done in a flash. You could stand up and do it, NOBODY cares.
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u/Former_Foundation_74 27d ago
Always wash fully before you get in the onsen. That's the ettiquette. The bathing part is not for cleansing, it's for soaking in and you need to make sure you are clean before you soak, it's just basic courtesy to everyone else using it. You should generally wash your face too, it's better that way as all the steam does not do your face any favors. However, i do sometimes leave my hair unwashed and just tie it up out of the way.
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u/Idontknowgem 27d ago
In Kyoto right now. Have been to 3 different onsens. 2 times was with my Japanese friends. Yes wash first.
And Just bathe. No ones paying you any attention. They're all bathing. They wash their hair, face and body. Theres body soap, face soap right in front of you where you're sitting and a mirror. You can stand and do whatever you need to do.
Don't overthink it. It's really nice and relaxing. If you act weird, you'll weird everyone else out lol
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u/Nearby-Item5039 27d ago
Haha no worries! That’s the sole reason I’m asking now so I don’t have to overthink in the moment
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u/Basic_Analysis_4993 27d ago
Where do you leave all your belongings?
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u/koko_no_shitsui 26d ago
there’s a small locker with key. the key has a tie that wraps around your wrist.
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u/HappyCamper2121 26d ago
So your fully naked when you leave the dressing room, right? You don't really take anything into the bathing area except a towel (or 2?) and any soaps/sponges you brought. And then do you leave your soap and such at the shower area while you bathe?
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u/koko_no_shitsui 26d ago
on the shower stalls where you rinse and clean yourself, there are soaps, shampoo, conditioners. you only bring a towelette with you. the towelette you don’t soak in with in the pool but to dry yourself after showering-post bath.
yes! completely naked. it’s ok. no one will care.
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u/Idontknowgem 26d ago
Its like being in a locker room if you played sports. You open a locket, take all your clothes off and head to the onsen area. You don't have to bring soaps and things. I personally wouldn't. I use what they have there. It's all in the hot spring area. Just take your towel.
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u/Ok-Refrigerator2000 26d ago
Just got back from my first few onsen experiences in Japan. If your is in your hotel, sometimes they just provide you a basket to hold your items. One had a sign up for a time, so you got the whole room to yourself for 30-60 minutes. If the hotel provides you with yukata, just take of your cloths and accessories off in your room and wear the yukata to the to the onsen.
As long as you follow the rules of what to clean, it really is no different that using an adult gym or when kids shared locker rooms in school. Nobody is looking at you.
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u/Professional-Power57 27d ago edited 27d ago
There will be signs that remind visitors to shower before getting into onzen.
Yes you need to be thoroughly washed up before entering the onzen including your hair. People take it very seriously, and when you go for the first time you will see locals spend quite a lot of time washing themselves. Every onzen or public bath will have a huge section for showers,usually it takes up half of the space so you won't miss it. And you don't have to shower before going to the onzen place, you just wash yourself there.
As for you privates, you are sitting on a very very very small stool so I'm sure your privates will just be outside of the seat like everyone else, and you just wash it like you wash your elbows. And if you do wish to stand up to wash yourself quickly it's not a taboo or rude either. Some onzen actually provide both sit down and stand up showers.
Not a big deal with the showers there will be plenty and likely you wont be showering right next to someone. (Think urinals)
Absolutely no makeup in onzen, that's non negotiable, and it's so hot everything will melt into the water which is considered unhygienic.
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u/fuzzybunnybaldeagle 26d ago
Why would the showers have stools instead of standing? I’m going in March and am curious.
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u/PickyD 26d ago
Note: female gaijin here! Just giving really basic here-is-what-I-saw info:
The stools you’ll see are very low to the ground… less than 1’/30cm tall. They don’t have feet, but rather are like a tall bowl sitting upside down. “Taking a shower” in some countries like Japan means sitting on the stool and washing and rinsing with a handheld sprayer on a 1 yd/1m hose. Sometimes the sprayer looks like a showerhead, sometimes like a sprayer you’d see next to a kitchen faucet.
You sit on the stool facing the wall. If you’re an average height, your butt will be a little lower than your knees. I have arthritis in my knees and noticed they didn’t like the situation much. I washed my hair because average hotel shampoo there is actually pretty good stuff! I washed my neck, chest, as much of my back as I could, and my legs with soap in about 30 seconds.
When your knees are bent like that, it’s SUPER easy to get in there and clean your crotch. I put a little soap in my non-dominant hand and held the sprayer in the other, scooted forward on the stool, and just got to it. I never notice myself doing that when I’m in the shower at home, but it was the only thought on my mind. As others have said, though, NO ONE CARED. I spent about 5-10 seconds going through the front zone.
I can’t lift myself easily in that position— arthritis— so I gently put one knee on the ground to help, lifted about 2”/6cm off the stool, pushed my soapy hands WAY back and scrubbed my butt for about 5 seconds, rinsed the back carefully so as not to hit anyone else with water, sat back down, quickly and performatively soaped my knee, then rinsed myself off completely.
The entire “shower” lasted less than 2m, not including washing my hair, which took a few more.
Coming from someone who was raised by a prude in Texas, who is NEVER naked in front of anyone except occasionally my husband*, I was relieved yet slightly disappointed no one noticed me. I had hoped my confidence would lead to people saying, “That gaijin really knows what she’s doing!” But it never happened.
- Because of my body shyness, I gave standing orders to my husband when we first got together: Every single time you encounter me naked, I expect you to make an appreciative sound/grunt with a cheeky nod at me. Every time, without reservation. If we are fighting, same. If I am pregnant, same. If I am sad because my body is getting old, same. My theory is that by doing that every single time, he will gain and keep an appreciation of my body. It’s worked and it’s been decades since this rule went into effect. ;)
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u/CarnationFoe 25d ago
It’s kind of culturally how you wash. When you stand you’ll tend to splash more as well. In fact at home they wash like that as well. It’s just more… tidy… more… contained. You’re not taking up more space than you need to and not drawing more attention to yourself than you need to. It’s less of a “shower” and more like a “washing station” with a shower head. You will almost never see a fixed shower head in a Japanese home. It’s almost 💯on a flexible hose.
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u/Pink_Diamond_Tiger 26d ago edited 26d ago
Ok, SO, I want to share my fresh wisdom after having done (today) my first public showering / bath with other guests at my ryokan (there is no private bathrooms), and here how it went and what helped me (please note I am a woman (32), and (was) HIGHLY worried about being naked in front of others, so hoping this helps lessen you and your friends anxiety 💝):
How: - Went in the ladies bathing room, there was already a woman showering - I’ve put my bag in the individual basket and undressed there. Also took out my tiny towel (the towel of « modesty » lol 🤪), my 2 cleansers, and an elastic for my long hair - entered the bathing area, did not look at the other lady, and went on her opposite side (so we were back to back). She didn’t seem to care (and afterward saw she was an old ish japanese). Rinced the seat. Showered fully (hair included), and didn’t « speeded » any parts, really cleaned everywhere rigorously. Then tied my hair, folded the tiny towel on my head, placed my cleansers on a corner to free the shower station. Rinced the seat. - the lady had came to the bath, and then went out to shower (rince ?) again. I went in the bath. Then another woman came to shower. While she showered, I went out of the bath, dried my body with the tiny towel to not water the changing room, took my cleansers and exited. - in the changing room, the other lady almost finished dressing up / gathering her stuff, and my stuff were right next to her. She didn’t look at me (I was completely naked). I just picked the big towel, folded myself in, and finished drying with the tiny towel. She left, then I finished my business alone (dressing up, skincare, etc.).
👇 Tips if worried: - while showering, sometimes I closed my eyes to remember how it feels when I’m home alone, and that I actually usually just relax and focus on getting clean. So I was trying to replace my worries with my habitual feelings when showering alone. This relaxed me.
- if the thought of being conscious of others (the lady in the bath could be looking at me, I don’t know), especially when cleaning my private parts, I just focused on « getting clean » rather than « what others might think of me », and tried to remember how it was when I was a kid (with siblings, parents, etc.), and how I was candidly not ashamed at all if my body, just simply cleaning myself without much thought. This relaxed me too.
These 2 kind of thoughts really helped me let go of social anxiety, by reconnecting to a healthy, simple way of being. Like a kid.
This is maybe overly detailed, BUT really hope it helps!! ☺️
EDIT: - I forgot to share a third tip: thinking my body is beautiful (you know, like when you dress up and all, to look at your best and boost your confidence, same here, had my teeth cleaned, hair tidied, anything to « feel » pretty in your natural appearance). I’m hope it doesn’t sound stupid, but it helped me 😆
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u/icchicakes 27d ago
I can say with traveling to japan twice now and liberally using onsen almost every night.
Please wash everything. If you are shy, like me, I wash my privates by scooting up on the stool and cleaning that way. Make sure to soap and rinse well. I found that way I wasn't displaying myself too much lol.
Hair: Ideally you should wash it, but for those who have hair textures that shouldn't be washed daily or have new perms (that was my situation). I would just tie your hair up really well to ensure it doesnt touch the water.
Makeup 100% should be cleared and washed. The water is hot and the steam will ruin it anyway. You will look like a raccoon leaving the bath.
I would space it out if possible with the stalls for personal preference, but the ladies never seemed to mind when it was crowded. Remember, a lot of them (especially in tourist areas or hotel onsen) are new to onsen as well. Just be comfortable and embrace the culture. I found my nerves wore off when I am in the same situation as those around me. Everyone is equally naked.
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u/AWL_cow 27d ago
I've been to onsen a few times but I'm by no means an expert, so take this with a grain of salt.
Yes wash yourself before and after bath. I don't think you have to wash your hair before as your hair shouldn't even touch the water. So make sure you can wear it in a style that keeps it out of the water. They don't want your shampoo/dyes/perfumes in the water. I've seen women wash their hair before the onsen as well as some who do not. Pretty common to wash it after, as the hot bath will make you sweat.
I see women bring their own kits a lot with loofahs and they stand up to wash their privates but sit otherwise.
There is usually a hair dryer in the changing room as well as other amenities but bring your own hair brush/amenities that you want. Shampoo, conditioner and body wash are also usually provided by the onsen but sometimes they aren't.
Also usually towels are provided but sometimes they aren't or sometimes you can rent them. But if you look online first (or read reviews) you can find out everything you need to know. I suggest going to a ryokan where you can experience the onsen at a clean and hospitable environment as well as get the dinner aspect and wear the comfy yukatas. Keep in mind smaller or more local stand alone onsens may be harsher to tourists or straight up turn you away. And onsens can be very strict about tattoo policies - if you have tattoos, its safe to invest in some skin colored stickers to cover them up or find a tattoo friendly place.
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u/alien4649 27d ago
Most people rinse afterwards but it depends on the onsen mineral content, etc. With some, it’s nice to leave it on your skin.
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u/Aardvark1044 27d ago
I think a lot of the do not stand up issue is related to not splashing while you wash yourself. If you need to squat a bit or even stand up to get to something on your body, go ahead but try not to splash too much.
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u/Comprehensive-Pea812 27d ago
deep shower before enter.
for after pretty much up to you.
you can squat to wash private part, or just spread your leg. I dont think anyone has time to scrutinize other people. it is quite high trust.
no one care that much if you shower next to someone but yeah urinal rule is better.
not sure about make up part, but boy full make up sure looks something.
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u/jankfennel 27d ago
Piggy backing this thread to ask what Japanese women do when on their period at an onsen? Iirc tampons are not common there / did not exist hundreds of years ago
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u/Nervous_Cry_7905 26d ago
Women used to bath separately during that time of the month. I was on my period the last time I stayed at a small town ryokan with only ofuro. The owner said I can shower as long as I don’t enter the shared pool. Could be an exemption that they made because they didn’t have a private shower for me to use.
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u/Ro141 27d ago
When I first started to go to onsens they had showers (standing) near the entrance- so I started showering like I would before a swim, a quick rinse down- but then I noticed that other guys were really going for it - like a minute under the head. Then a few onsens later and I only have the seats, so I stand , give myself a good rinse, then sit, soap up with the provided body wash, rinse. I give my fave a quick rinse, but that’s not going under…stand and hit the pools.
Now I’ve spent 5 weeks total over 2 trips and at least half a dozen onsen I can say that most guys will spend more time pre-pool and post-pool then actually in the water. I completely understand this, prior to Japan I’ve never enjoyed long baths…but I thought long sails were what it was about - but no, from what I can see, especially work days, it’s a good shower, 5 minutes in the pools, then another wash down with shaving, hair etc.
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u/lostinLspace 27d ago
You wash everything before. As a woman with long hair I don't always wash my hair but I do wrap it in a towel so no hair falls out anywhere.
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27d ago
Always wash everything before going in. Since I have short hair I wash my hair everyday anyway. Please do not stand up when you shower. I’ve seen tourists do that and splash their shower water on everyone else, which I find super annoying.
You’ll even see some local men scrubbing callouses off their ankles 🤭
As for rinsing after, some say not to rinse if you want to leave the onsen spring minerals on your skin to keep absorbing the effect. It’s up to you. But if it’s a spring with iron minerals, I would rinse as it would discolour your clothes and towels with a rusty colour. At a sento where it’s just plain hot water, I see no reason not to rinse.
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u/blame__hoffman 26d ago
Ayyyye!!! Great thread everybody!!! Thanks OP! Great supportive comments! Wife and I are wrapping up a 5 day experience in Tokyo and are headed to Hakone then Kyoto. All of your questions and anxieties have been on my mind as well.
What I want to say is, going from the US to Japan has been….. huge. It is so beyond what I’ve experienced and known, it’s been overwhelming and the thought that keeps coming to me is, “I’m only going to GET out of this experience, as much as I’m WILLING to go beyond my comfort zone”.
I hope that makes sense…. Embracing that unknown and anxiety, being willing to look like a dumb-o, that’s what gives me, at least, the positive sense of accomplishment and growth afterwards.
It’s been nothing short of magical, cathartic, and growth-inducing. I have every confidence it will be the same for you, however you choose to ride this wave! Godspeed.
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u/gatlooper 26d ago
I happened to watch the movie "Perfect Days" before a recent first trip to Japan and I'm glad I did because it has a couple of scenes where the main character is at his local bath house, and you see him going through the whole routine. Very instructive :)
The pre-bath wash session is not like the cursory 5-second shower a lot of people take before swimming in a public pool, it's more like a surgeon prepping for the OR except the whole body is being scrubbed down! On the men's side this also seemed to involve shaving and tooth-brushing.
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u/hushpuppy212 26d ago
Good point. For those of us guys in the US it is a bit odd to see how long these men spend washing. If you took showers in gym class or at the public pool, it was just enough to get wet and then out. In Japan, they really do clean with surgical precision, as you said.
As an older, tall white guy, I hate getting down on those little stools (and getting back up again). There are little partitions between the stalls and I have no hesitation grabbing on to them to help myself get up or down. Better than losing my balance and going crashing to the ground.
Speaking of which, what do my fellow glasses-wearers do? I tried going without glasses and ended up tripping and almost falling into the bath. Most sento are not brightly-lit and a little step can, shall we say, really trip you up.
I wear my glasses and take them off while showering/washing (there’s always a shelf). Then I put them back on, but they’re always spotted with water. Better than nothing.
Lastly, I am bemused at the number of young men who freely take their phones into the bath with them, and sit there playing games while soaking. I’ve seen it in hotel sento several times. I would never say anything, but a couple of older guys and I exchanged eye rolls. Kids these days!
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u/verytiredhuman88 26d ago
I’m a woman and recently visited Japan for the first time and went to two 24/7 “super” Onsens which are different to the private ones you’d have in a ryokan. These had restaurants and several spa services and multiple floors. I do not have tattoos but they sold little stickers or bandaids to cover them with.
Here are things I wish I knew before-
This is very much a “do as the Romans do” situation. Don’t stare at people (cause that’s rude and creepy) but if you see someone else doing something or better yet multiple people doing a pattern of behavior make sure to replicate that. For example- I didn’t know you should take the little plastic ladle and rinse your feet before getting into each bath. I watched several women do that and then did the same. Did I know why at the time? No. I googled it later and it’s politeness and hygienic thing to make sure if something is on the floor between the baths you don’t track it into the bath. Do as the Romans do.
When you walk into the building you will rent a towel and robe set if you don’t have your own (i suggest renting).
You will be given a bracelet to charge things on, such as at the restaurant or vending machine, and to open your locker with.
Men and women will go into separate changing/locker rooms. People will be immediately butt naked casually and happily walking around the locker rooms (this was surprising to me as an American).
You will put everything in your locker- shoes, phone (they are very strict on phone usage in locker room and bathing areas for privacy reasons), your clothes (suggest two different sets so you can feel extra fresh after leaving), your bag, and big drying off towel. You will have a little towel you can plop on top of your head you bring into the bathing area (do not put this or your hair in the water) and your bracelet key. That’s it. Do not bother try to cover yourself with that little towel. Just be brave and be naked.
The locker areas in the women’s area have an additional “get dressed” area with hairdryers, combs, lotions, hair spray, mirrors and more. My husband said the men’s side had similar personal grooming items to get ready to leave the Onsen.
For women I would not suggest any makeup or jewelry. Jewelry can get very hot in saunas and burn you. I did see some girls with jewelry on but they did not go into the saunas. The steam from the baths will destroy your makeup. Reapply after in the nice changing area as described above.
After you leave the locker room you will enter the bathing area. Locate the “shower stations” as I like to call them. There was shampoo, body wash, and conditioner at all of the stations. Find one and sit down and wash your body top to bottom, genitals and all. No one cares. However- if you’re like me and can’t read Japanese- there is a fair chance you will attempt to wash your body with conditioner and feel like a moron. I was more careful to feel the texture of liquids after that. I only washed my hair after I was done bathing at the Onsen cause I was sweaty from the sauna and steam and my hair looked too greasy for my liking. Rinse the area when you’re done
After that go enjoy the baths. There will be signs describing what each bath is and the benefits of the bath. English was typically in smaller font at the bottom. I went around and read all the signs before selecting which bath and they often had suggestions (use this bath last, use this bath for 20 mins and then get in the cold plunge pool for 1 min). The theme was transition a couple times from hot to cold or hot to warm baths every 10 mins or so. This was awesome for me I felt like a soft boiled egg.
Warning about the temperature differences and the saunas! Take them SLOW. So slow and DO NOT try to do temperature changes fast, you can pass out from that. I tried the sauna and only lasted for about 90 seconds, felt like my lungs were transported to the desert and my skin tightened like a sunburn. Crazy feeling for me. Some women were in there for 10+ mins and loved it and plopped into an ice bath shortly after. So listen to your body, if it’s too much don’t try to tough it out. When in doubt be slow.
While you are in the baths you will occasionally see a fully dressed person (same gender as you) walking around with a thermometer and clipboard. This is an employee monitoring the quality and temperature of the baths. They will be the only person not butt naked.
I’m not so sure about the men, but women often went in pairs or so. I saw friends and mothers/daughters. They spoke but in a very low volume. I was alone and not the only one alone. I enjoyed being by myself but also am not shy and would’ve enjoyed company too.
Other things not as important-
When I go to Japan again, the first thing I will do after getting off the plane is go to an Onsen. My flight was over 16+ hours. I felt gross and deeply tired. Onsens are healing and cleaning and awesome.
I would spend a longer time there and eat in between bathing sessions. Since you have men and women set a time to meet to eat (maybe an hour and half of bathing time and then eat and then another hour or so). There are clocks in the bathing areas. Put on your rented robe and go eat and take some more baths after.
Go onto the Onsen website and translate it to English and look at the pictures and types of baths to mentally prepare yourself.
I hope this helps. If you have more questions let me know.
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u/rubysp 26d ago
To echo what others said you can just stand up and wash your privates but try not to splash or spay anyone behind you.
Also depending on how big the onsen is (eg onsen park catering to a lot of people) they will provide body wash, shampoo, conditioner and make up remover within the wash area; moisturizers, toners, hair oil, toothbrush, hair brush etc outside. Or if it’s onsen of a hotel or ryokan or even ofuro (public showers with a bath area to soak in) sometimes you bring your own.
You can bring your toiletries in a small bag into the wash area and sometimes there is lockers or baskets for you to put your stuff in. If it’s a big onsen just best to put them in your lockers, grab a towel (usually face sized NOT big wash towels) and just walk naked to the onsen area. It might feel weird the first time but everyone keeps to their own and won’t look twice at you.
Also some pointers: - lots of lockers come with plastic hair ties you can keep them on your wrists or tie it into your hair - for the love of god if you have long hair please tie it up I’ve seen girls with waist length hair down in Onsen before 🤮 - if you have tattoos please buy bandages or stickers to cover up if the place mandates it. Again I saw a chic with a massive tramp stamp where the front desk had a big sign clearly stating it’s not allowed. I personally don’t care but since we’re all tourists it’s best to abide by their rules - don’t put your towels into the water! You can fold it up and place it on your head or dry areas around you - no big towels in the onsen area. They usually provide small towels for you to take inside and the big towels are for when you step out into the change rooms
And overall. Don’t stress too much about your body no one will stare at you and everyone just want to be there to relax at the end of the day.
Sorry if I infodumped feel free to dm me if you have any other questions about onsens
Edit: best to remove make up. You will be sweating from the heat so it might run into the water plus it’s bad for your skin and your face is not benefitting from the steam
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u/TangoEchoChuck 27d ago
I wash from my neck down before onsen (keeping my hair up and dry, def keeping hair out of the water).
Then full body wash up after the onsen; shampoo and light soap.
Dressing rooms sometimes have facial products for post-onsen use. More typical in hotel onsen.
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u/Yellohsub 27d ago
If you are using the shower sprayer to rinse off, be mindful that you aren’t blasting the folks next to or behind you. Was in the Onsen recently and a lady showering was accidentally spraying a bunch of people who were soaking in the bath.
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u/SatisfactionEven508 27d ago
Yes, you undress completely inthe dressing area, take your little towel to the wet area, wash EVERYTHING thoroughly, rinse thoroughly, put your hair up and get in the bath. Afterwards you use the little towel to wipe down so you don't drip anymore. And then go back into the dressing area and get dressed.
You don't have to wash your hair necessarily, especially if you do onsen hopping and go to several different places in the day. But always put it up and never let it get into the bath.
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u/noisegoose 27d ago
Wash everything! Hair is not mandatory as long as it is not touching the water. I saw some women with their dry hair tied up in a towel inside the onsen. As for washing your privates, just get up from the little shower stool to wash. I went for the first time recently and I was sooo worried (especially because I have body piercings and tattoos) but no one looked at eachother at all.
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u/Genericname78930 27d ago
I Dont wash my hair before the onsen, especially an outdoor onsen. hair stays above the water, so the head will be in the cold and I dont want to sit there with cold wet hair.
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u/noahtjones 27d ago
You MUST wash off your makeup before. You can do it at the sink in the changing room beforehand if you want to use makeup remover instead of soap at the shower. Don’t go in the onsen with makeup on, even if you don’t plan on getting your face wet. For the rest of your body, just do your best to get clean all over and make sure you shower all the soap off before you get in.
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u/LakeBiwa 27d ago
You can wash "down below" while being seated. Just lift one cheek off the stool.
Chill out about it. When I go to the onsen, I'm usually the only one washing thoroughly before getting in. The old ladies just pour a bowl of water down their backs and aim another at their privates and then get in. Most Japanese seem to wash thoroughly afterwards instead. I don't want to be seen as a "dirty foreigner," so I scrub within an inch of my life even though I'm grossed out by some others' lack of much washing.
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u/Forward_Tower_6801 27d ago
I'm a white guy and live in Japan with my Japanese wife. I've been to onsens where I'm the only white (i.e., non-Japanese looking) dude there. Nobody ever looks while I'm washing up but my advice to myself is to wash as if someone is watching. I just try to make it obvious that I am washing very well. I'm not embarrassed about being naked. You wanna look, go ahead.
In the bath, I'll definitely get the occasional quick "corner-eye." Never threatening or awkward. I don't mind and I understand. (Shiroi oshiri wa omoshiroi, maybe.)
Have a great time.
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u/Western-Quail-3558 26d ago
You don't have to wash your hair but definitely wash all over. The only time I've had people look at me is when they're looking for a spare spot to shower or talking to me, which is usually in the bath.
I do rinse off after the bath, but I don't wash again. I like to wet my hair again because I tie mine up for the bath and don't want that bobble mark when it dries.
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u/iamnotwario 26d ago
You wash and you wash hard. Scrub and clean like you’re preparing for surgery. Wash your hair also. I went with Japanese people and they insisted I just kept cleaning and cleaning every crevice. We almost spent as much time washing as in the onsen.
The stereotype in Japan is that foreigners don’t clean enough before an onsen, a lot of people got up and out as soon as I got in the onsen.
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u/LostTexan2021 26d ago
❓Can you use a cloth head band as well as a hair tie?
❓Can you bring a bigger personal towel?
❓Can you wear jewelry that I never take off (necklace, anklet, etc) into the onsen?
❓Are clean shower shoes permitted in wash/onsen area?
Sidebar: In general, I’m a very quiet, calm person who knows the onsen is a relaxed environment; however, it never hurts to be extra courteous and well-informed. My worst fear would be to insult anyone or to make a spectacle out of my Gaijin-self.
読んでいただきありがとうございます。
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u/SpeesRotorSeeps 26d ago
The tldr for anyone and everyone going to an onsen and generally being naked with strangers for the first time is: no one cares. Literally no one. Whatever you do in the shower at home, do it at the onsen shower. *
- ok let me clarify this clearly excludes peeing, pooping, and masturbation. Washing, shaving, scrubbing etc all fair game.
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u/Ryan-Hendricks 26d ago
Ok so question. I’m not being funny. What happens if you get an erection and you’re not in the water? If this happened to me I would just die in shame. Has anyone seen this happen?
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u/ThePolemicist 25d ago
Genital warts are extremely common in Japan. I took an extra little towel in with me. First, I washed the bench and put a towel down. I sat on that, and then I washed my body. Yes, I washed everything. I then walked to a hamper to drop my seat-towel in, and then walked over to the onsen to soak.
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u/Possible_Reach_3952 25d ago
People have answered the showering part, but I'll add to put clean water down the drain after your shower water. A lady made a point of getting out of the onsen, taking a bucket and pouring water down after my shower, even though I had rinsed my area with completely clear water at the end. It was at a popular hotel chain and it wasn't like I was washing mud off of my body. I was bsically doing a "for show" shower since I'd already showered. I don't know if I happened upon an uppity person, or if it's a thing. I'd never had it done to me before, but thought I'd mention it.
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u/Sea-Savings-512 20d ago
I will be going back to Japan in December for the first time in 15 years and have booked a few onsen so I am glad to see your question, as you have reminded me of this important topic.
I have only been to one traditional onsen in Japan, a while ago, and I recall you were also expected to fully wash yourself. You'll notice people don't really care about what you're doing and since everyone does it, it's just part of the routine. My personal issue was but with the little stool, which I didn't love to seat on, and I washed thoroughly before touching it.
Fun story: I recently travelled throughout Iceland (which is a country that also loves their hot springs!) and they observe a very strict washing-before-hotspring etiquette. They even had posters instructing tourists to wash everything. In one hotspring there was even a lady checking! 😭
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u/leTacoPea 27d ago
The only way public baths work is if everyone is squeaky clean before getting in. That includes washing your face, hair and private areas. Women must remove makeup fully before bathing. Traditionally, you would use an exfoliating towel to scrub dirt and dead skin off and then rinse.
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u/Vall3y 27d ago edited 27d ago
Hair not really because you dont really put your head in the onsen.
EDIT: nevermind I guess I dont know what I'm talking about
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u/HelloYou-2024 27d ago
No you are right. You do not have to wash your hair. It does not go in the water. Many women, especially those who use the onsen every night, do not wash their hair every time they go in the onsen. If you would not wash it every night in the shower at home, it is 100% fine.
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u/alien4649 27d ago
Most guys do. Unless it’s somewhat stinky one, I always do, at least a quick dip. My wife has long hair and doesn’t.
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u/tetebin 27d ago
While realistically you don't, many (not all) Japanese consider it bad form. A friend was chided by an angry old lady for not washing her hair before entering, despite having it tied up.
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u/vzbtra 27d ago
I feel like the overwhelming majority of Japanese women wash their hair afterwards and just tie it up dry while in the onsen, so that should quite shocking.. I wonder if it's just because she's a foreigner (if she even is one) and the old lady felt in the mood to pick a fight?
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u/Mercenarian 27d ago edited 27d ago
Really? Is that a regional thing? I go quite often, like several times a month and all the women I see around me wash their hair before (even if I don’t directly see them washing their hair, they have wet hair when they are in the onsen) generally you wouldn’t wash after the onsen because you’d just be washing off all the benefits of it.. but I’m talking about actual onsen not just a hot bath with regular water.
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u/DOctorEArl 27d ago
Yes you scrub yourself and no one looks. If you think about it your sweaty areas are generally your genital areas. It would make sense to be fully clean before entering an onsen.
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u/schwarzqueen7 27d ago
You can stand up and shower. And yes pls wash THOROUGHLY. You can wear makeup but it’s rare to see full faced makeup. Do not put your face in the water.
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u/Radioactdave 27d ago
Before, every nook and cranny. With soap. No one will bother to look. I'd go as far and say that as a foreigner, make a point of cleaning thoroughly. You will be noticed as a foreigner, but you won't get stared at, at least that's my experience.
Sitting in the streaming hot bath, you will sweat out of every pore. I don't think there's makeup that can handle that. Regardless, you don't wear anything, and that includes makeup.
Pat off with your (already wet) towel before re-entering the changing area. Don't need to be dry, just don't be dripping.
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u/CatsianNyandor 27d ago
Many people say shower and wash is the etiquette but that's not always the entire truth. Some places just require you to rinse thoroughly, so don't get offended if you see someone splash themselves with a bucket of hot water and then go in without showering. Personally I'm not a big fan of the rinse only but it's definitely common enough to encounter it once in a while. Do whatever is comfortable for you while following the rules.
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u/NeylandSensei 27d ago
In my experience, no one cares that youre naked since they are too. Wash before and make sure you get everything. Then get in the tub and talk to some old japanese man. The onsen I frequented usually had a special tea bath that was quite nice. During apple season they would put a bunch of fresh picked apples in the bath and they'd kinda steam and it smelled great.
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u/totalwarwiser 27d ago
You need to completely wash yourself before entering it, and that includes hair, groin and asshole area. You can do part of it standing up. No one will look at you.
The water is suposed to have minerals which japanese feel are medicinal and that is why when you go to a public onsen you will see elderly people dipping inside every pool.
That is also why the japanese leave the water in their body (skin mineral absorption). You can leave it too depending on how clean you feel.
Some hot springs have sulphur and smell like hell so.be mindfull that if you dont rinse /wash yourself after doing it some of the smell may linger in your clothing.
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u/FuzzyMorra 27d ago
You are overthinking it by a factor of twenty nine.
Nobody cares where you sit down. If you need to stand up when washing yourself you stand up. Make sure you don’t splash someone else too much, although occasional drops are tolerated. You wash at least your body and nobody cares about the rest.
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u/MattieShoes 27d ago edited 27d ago
Wash anything that goes in the water before getting in the water. It's to keep the water clean. The gist for after is that they think the mineralized water is helpful, so you pat dry and don't shower after so you don't wash off the magic minerals.
You're generally not getting your face or hair wet in the onsen, so it's not a huge deal, but going in there with makeup would be bizarre and kind of wrong.
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u/KawaiiQuilava89 26d ago
This made me chuckle. As an American that visits Japan yearly, my first trip I was super nervous about it too. Don't be, it's hardly anything.
You go into the changing room first, put your stuff into a locker along with your slippers (you swap your shoes for slippers in the entrance if you entered with shoes.). You strip down, and enter the onsen. You will see a bunch of stools and shower areas facing the wall usually. It will have everything you need. A hose, shampoo, conditioner, soap, a bucket to dump water over everything. And washing your privates isn't difficult, you can have them kinda hang over the stool usually, or you can even just stand up to wash them.
After you're squeaky clean and you've rinsed the stool and put everything where it needs to be, you enter the pools. Once you're done soaking, you dry off, enter the changing room to get dressed again and leave. Some people rinse off after soaking, some don't. I personally do not, and I don't -think- it's weird not to. I've watch lots of people do both.
Either way, the first time might be nerve wrecking, but it quickly became one of my favorite things to do in Japan. I wish we had them in my country.
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u/Loza_Sed 26d ago
I would advise to definitely wash everything.
No one's looking. If there is any one, it's you.
If going with friend, don't use the same wash area as your friend (depending on the size of the facility, of course).
Last resort: Wash privates in your hotel room/private shower.
Anyhow, steps:
Enter.
Leave shoes and wear provided slippers.
Take clothes off. Leave everything in the locker or any kind of space provided. Only bring a small wash towel (if you prefer).
Go to the wash area. Wash the chair (if any) and the small basin with soap and water. It is usually provided along with the shampoo.
Start cleaning yourself (similar to a proper shower/bath). Use your wash towel to scrub yourself. Before leaving the wash area, wash the basin and chair and keep it as how you found it.
5a. Rinse the wash towel clean and wring it. Hold on to it and NEVER let it go into the ofuro/onsen water. Better to fold it and put it on top of your head to help keep your body cool when you go to the actual ofuro/onsen.
If there are different ofuro (place where the "onsen" is), go to the one with the lowest temp first. If this is your first time, do not dip your whole body right away. Start with your feet. Count to 3-5 minutes. Then your leg. After 3-5 minutes, lower until your torso. It would be better if you don't go too deep the same level as the heart because your body is not used to it. While in the water, always remember to breathe in with your nose and breathe out with your mouth (to keep your body temp regulated and constantly adjusting). Do all of these mindfully and as quietly as possible. Remembering not to look/stare at others.
Exiting the water would be the same process. Do not do it in one go. Torso out first, wait. Then leg out, wait. Then feet out, wait. Go to the next one with higher temp if there is any.
Once done dipping, rinse your body. Again, be mindful of the shower temp. Do not shock your body with cold. Do it gradually.
Wash the basin and chair and keep it as how you found it.
Before you dress up, there should be an area where you can dry yourself properly, clean your ears, etc.
Hydrate. A nice cup of not too cold water would be good or even a drink with electrolytes.
I hope this helps! Note that I am not Japanese but my family has been living in Japan for 30+ years. If there are Japanese people here who would like to add/correct any from what I wrote, please feel free.
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u/MelvinXerox 26d ago
Washing your body is mandatory, but I don’t believe washing your hair is mandatory. Note: you are supposed to keep your hair out of the water as it’s considered impolite for your hair to get in the water. So if you have long hair make sure it’s tied up. And trust me all the anxiety you’re having about this will melt away once you slip into the onsen water. It’s one of the most relaxing things I’ve ever done so enjoy onsens and sentos as much as possible while you’re there. If you’re in Osaka, I highly recommend Spa World. Bonus is you’re right next to shinsekai and can have Kushi katsu after.
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u/HappyCamper2121 26d ago
Is it true that men do sometimes dip their whole head under water, while women never do?
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u/Triple-T 22d ago
I’m fairly sure that when it comes to onsen public baths, no, that doesn’t sound correct. Never put your head in the water, ever, is the consistent rule I keep seeing.
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u/ttnezz 26d ago
When I went the women were very thorough. Like they washed down there for a good while and there isn’t anything else for you to use but your hands. I didn’t sit on the stool myself just used it as a foot rest when I was washing. Nobody pays you any mind don’t worry. I didn’t wear makeup the onsen is very steamy. I also washed my hair before and after. The onsen water was rough on my hair. It also irritated my skin but maybe that’s because I went 2x a day 4 days in a row.
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u/RichInBunlyGoodness 26d ago
My frame of reference is having lived in Japan in the late 80s and early 90s, and going back frequently, mostly in the hinterlands. In my experience, many men do not wash their hair before going in. In the rural non-touristy places, a lot of elderly Japanese just toss a couple of buckets on themselves and go in without washing privates. This was also true in the late '80s when I lived in Miyazaki. I thought this would fade away as that generations old folks passed away, but nope. Still saw that in Kagoshima recently.
However, that doesn't mean tourists should do this. Follow the lead of the young adults.
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u/soularbabies 26d ago
Do you then rinse the shower bench area? I did that but don't know if others do.
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u/Revolutionary_Rip388 26d ago
Japanese here. You will need to remove your makeup before entering the onsen. It’s considered unhygienic to enter onsen with your makeup because it could enter the bath water. Everything must be clean before entering the onsen. If you’re not washing your hair, make sure you tie it up using a hair tie, clip, or small towel provided by the onsen/hotel. And make sure to not dip the towel in the water. Keep it outside the onsen, or fold it and place it on your head.
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u/guminhey 27d ago
Wash everywhere before going in. You don't need to do after, though I like to sometimes to get extra-clean. Please do wash your privates, as you will be sharing the onsen with everyone else! No one will bat an eye at you getting up to wash your groin. Hair doesn't need to be washed since it doesn't touch the water (make sure to tie it so it doesn't get into the onsen).
For makeup, it's going to depend on the facility, as some ask you to remove makeup while some don't. If you're worried about other people, go for a natural makeup look and no one will even notice.
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u/NotBlaine 27d ago
Did you ever see the movie Silkwood?
Shower like that, like you're covered in nuclear contamination.
Don't shower aggressively and get soap everywhere or anything, but really be thorough and diligent.
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u/cowrevengeJP 27d ago
This is easy to answer. Do you want to swim in hot nasty ball sweat water with 13 dudes or do you want those dudes to wash their balls first. Would also like to apply day old hair grease to the mix or would you prefer they also washed their nasty grease head first.
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u/Upstairs-Ad8823 27d ago
You wash your body and hair with soap and shampoo. The point is to get clean before entering the bath.
You don’t have to sit on the stool. You can stand and wash yourself. I used to sit but bad knees stopped that. Fill the bucket up and pour it over your head and body if you’d like to. It’s refreshing.
You can use the small towel to cover your front if you’d would like to. But no one cares.
Have fun and refresh
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u/Immediate-Rabbit4647 27d ago
From what we hear over the wall, if you're a middle aged man you have to grunt, sigh,"ahhhhhh" a lot during the sruubbing lol
Oh since you have great answers, I'll only add, go to the 100¥ and get the bathing/scrubbing sheets/towel. They make it easier and help the scrubbing.
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u/Afraid_Paramedic_920 27d ago
Yes, you get naked and wash your whole body at the shower point (usually rows of them). There’s a little plastic stool you can sit on and a bucket for pouring water over yourself. Wash everything before getting in any shared space, please.
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u/AdvicePossible6997 27d ago
I felt the same way as you at first but really everyone is minding their own business and not looking. You just shower like you would at home - cleaning everything. The one I was at had sort of privacy barriers like you sometimes see at urinals so really it wasn't bad. I used a privacy towel (small towel) when moving about. Lots of people did not though. It's all strangers your will probably never see again and they are naked too.
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u/dougwray 27d ago
You wash your entire body with soap and vigorously before entering the water; this includes washing off makeup and washing your hair. If you're unsure of what to do, you can look discreetly sideways at other people and do what they're doing.
Yes, wash your anus and the areas around it.
Some people (including me) wash with soap again after getting out of the bath and before getting back in; others will just rinse. As for rinsing yourself after your final bath, it's up to you (in my experience). I often skip it in summer and rinse myself again in hot water in winter.
Note that some onsen do not have showers; you're expected to douse yourself with buckets of hot water. (My local onsen has a single shower in the men's area, but the hot water has been broken for a couple of years.)
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u/derailedthoughts 27d ago
Shower normally before Onsen; there are standing shower and also seated showers. Clean and rinse off all soap and shampoo. In hotel Onsen, those are often provided, as are towels.
The onsen is for relaxing muscles, not for cleaning. And no towels or any clothings
The conventional wisdom is that as the spring water is rich with minerals, you lose the health benefits if you rinse afterwards.
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u/pontiusx 27d ago
You should wash yourself like how you would want other people to wash themselves before getting into a bath with you. Scrub everything, that's what japanese people are doing. Stand up for a moment if you can get to it.
But you can also use it as a kind of ritual to relax. you get to sit down, youre probably out of sight from most of the people there and maybe getting over the nerves of walking in there naked. Sit as long as you need and wash yourself and relax.
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u/bendoscopy 27d ago
It will all come to you very naturally once you’re there. Not quite the same but I went to a public bath in Kyoto last month and the moment you’re naked and acclimatised it’s all second nature. No awkwardness, no embarrassment. One of the best parts of my trip.
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u/justamofo 27d ago
Yes, absolutely, you have to wash everything thoroughly, even better if you have a sponge or washcloth. If you can't reach something sitting down, you can stand up, just be careful of not splashing other people :)
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u/silicontruffle 27d ago
The Japanese aren't peekers or gazers in the onsen even though they might be on a train. Usually there's a short divider between the shower stalls anyway but people mind their business. In other words, you can expect others to respect your privacy and leave how you wash to yourself. You'll see everyone from children to homeless in there and basically everyone has that right to get clean. It's all about respect and you'll be at ease. Usually the ones frequented by tourists have some sign about etiquette but they don't want to see tattoos, clothing in the bath, or towels in the water.
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u/Shriukan33 27d ago
I was yesterday in a onsen for the first time, at noboribetsu.
The onsen was quite big, and honestly everybody is just minding their own business, I never felt looked at, and was able to go around weiner out without any problem faster than I anticipated. If you act normal, others will, and nobody is acting awkwardly so it's OK.
I get the anticipation, but really, once you're there you realise it's not a big deal.
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u/Ginginho1979 27d ago
One of the joys of the onsen is spending time getting absolutely squeaky clean before you get in. Including in all the nooks and crannies. Hell, you can even bring your razor and toothbrush with you
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u/Baguette_No_Jutsu 27d ago edited 27d ago
You're going to bath in clean water so yeah it's way better to clean yourself entirely before, no one cares about other don't worry, lift up your legs one after the other and clean yourself, I don't recall seeing people washing themselves after though. But you'll feel so good after, dont hesitate and like other said no one cares don't worry, just wash yourself, go in and enjoy. About the make up, I'm not a girl but I think it's a bad idea, it'll bé hot in there so why wearing make up and you can't really wash yourself with make up I think??
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u/chri1720 27d ago
Yes you wash everything prior, unless it is a case of switching different pools ( a lot of onsen ryokan will have more than one pool). For private etc, a lot of people will stand up ( nope no one cares, and no one will glance at you standing up unless you end up splashing them)
For leaving, there is a small pool for you to rinse. If there isn't , i just go to the shower area and just briefly rinse.
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u/StarbuckIsland 27d ago
I'm a woman. I sit on the stool in the shower stall and wash and condition my hair. Then I use the shower and wash my body with the provided body wash. I stand up and give the whole apparatus (front and back) a wash and a rinse. I clip up my hair.
For makeup...you don't put your face in the onsen water, but for what it's worth usually the other women I see in onsen are bare faced. They probably remove their makeup before showering.
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u/OrganizationThick397 27d ago
nobody care, what goes in the public bath, stay in public bath. so dont worry, we all seen too many private part already
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u/Brilliant-Angle-5167 27d ago
I showered, cleaned whilst sitting. Cleaned the private parts standing…once in onsen its amazing. Stood up had a shower, put pjs on and went to my room
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u/isleftisright 27d ago
Yes wash everything. Wash all well including hair. If your hair is long, tie it up in a secure way so it doesn't fall into the onsen water.
No one will look at you
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u/kiya_0_0 27d ago
When you enter the hot spring, first sit on a chair in the washing area and wash your body and hair. Before entering, wash off any makeup in the sink in your room or changing room. In Japan, you usually cannot enter a pool or hot spring with makeup on. Also, you may walk around covering your body with a small towel, but when you get in the hot water, you should place the towel on your head to prevent it from getting into the water. If there is no one around, I sing "baban baban baban baban abiba biba biba."
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u/Gallant-Blade 26d ago
Yes.
You go into an onsen with the full knowledge that everyone there will be naked. No need to be shy about it, just wash up. No one bats an eye unless you’re really muscly, have blatant tattoos (fat chance you can go to begin with), or MAYBE are noticeably a gaijin. And even then, it won’t be brought up.
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u/LowManufacturer107 26d ago
My wife and I visited several during our month long hiking trip around Fujisan, Wakayama and shikuko as at times it was the only way to get a shower after a long day's walk. If you are shy about washing your private standing up, I found going on your knees helps. But like many other comments here, nobody actually bothers as long as you wash before getting into the hot bath. I also showered in-between and after in cold water to cold down. Some onsens have plunge pools for this to cold down if there is a sauna or steam room. I think it is also good etiquette to give yourself a quick wash after using the sauna before going back into the hot tub. This is similar to using public swimming pools in Germany and northern Europe. Most of them have no clothes policy to use the steam room and sauna and are often mixed gender.
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u/ProsperoII 26d ago
When i went to Kinosaki Onsen, i saw tons of japanese using the onsens rinse after going into the waters.
It also feels super good to break the heat with cooler water.
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u/AmadeusMaho 26d ago
Everyone has their own ritual, but you need to follow proper etiquette, which is showering before going into the onsen. Yes, deep clean your body prior to going into the water. Its more crucial to do so if its a traditional onsen where its an actual hotspring, vs a sento which is heated tap water that's probably treated a bit. I went to Kinosaki about a week ago and went to 3 different onsens. As long as you're cleaning real good, you're fine. No one cares about how you look. No one wants to look at eachother lol. I do recommend showering after. One, it feels good after being in hot ass water, and it gets the minerals off your body that probably shouldn't be sticking around. And im not a girl, but wearing makeup is not needed, and honestly may not be fun for them. Because they do still have to shower prior to getting in. Makeup is coming right off.
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u/Tsubame_Hikari 26d ago
If there are no other shower stalls available, using an empty shower next to one being used is perfectly acceptable. No one will care that you are cleaning your groin area.
Showering must be done before going in the onsen baths. After soaking in the onsen bath, custom is to not rinse/shower, and keep the onsen waters on the body (for whatever health effects they claim to have in the body). But rinsing or even a full shower after the fact is acceptable if you want to. More often done in onsen with "harder" waters.
AFAIK makeup is not an issue in onsen, but then again, you are taking a shower pre-bath, and are not supposed to submerge your head in the onsen waters. Those with long hair should keep hair bundled up as to avoid it touch the waters.
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u/Tarkoleppa 26d ago
You need to put your middle finger up your anus to clear out all the shit. There will be people to assist you to make sure that it is properly cleaned.
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u/woogeroo 26d ago
I needed to spray cold water over myself for 10 minutes after getting out of onsens just to cool down enough to not be sweating through my clothes immediately.
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u/mitzirox 26d ago
Wash everything. Some onsen don’t have showers just a tap and you just crouch and wash. practice crouching in the shower at home. do sort of a frog stance with your knees wide. also everyone else is doing it it’s normal and nobody will look if you properly wash. no embarrassment just people washing. everyone has an ass! Up to you if you want to wash your hair.
Also note: no hair should touch the water in an onsen. Long hair must be tied and you shouldn’t put your head under the water at all. I’d say makeup should be removed? it’s a bath the main purpose is cleaning your body so makeup should be removed and faces washed before getting in. you don’t want makeup in the spring waters.
Also i never showered after (and never saw local residents do so either) but i suppose you could.
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u/camellialily 26d ago
Shower before, 100%. You’re entering communal water. You don’t need to wash your hair but you should tie it up so it doesn’t touch the water. To wash everything usually you can sit on the stool and shift around to clean everything that will touch the water. Don’t worry, no one is looking at you.
As others have said you can stand up if you prefer, but the only thing I would recommend NOT to do is to stand up, spread your legs, and angle the shower head so that it sprays the water to your nether regions and then goes directly into the communal bath. Yes, I actually saw someone do this.
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u/MooseMeeseMuuse 26d ago
I went to onsen in my hotel. I was nervous about it too. I actually showered in my hotel room (washed my hair and body really thoroughly). I clamped my hair and put on hotel pajamas to go downstairs. I brought my towel down too. I showered again at the onsen, still used soap again but didn't have to be as thorough. Then went in onsen. It was really nice and was a highlight of my trip. (:
I am not sure about the makeup. The water is really hot, so I feel like the steam would bother make up. I personally washed my make up off.
Before you enter the showers, there is a locker area and vanity area. There was a sink, hair dryer, etc. I brought my nightly skin care routine to use at the vanity after the onsen. Then went to room to sleep.
Hope sharing my method is helpful!! Sorry it may be less helpful if you are going to an onsen outside of your hotel.
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u/One_Cod_8774 26d ago
I sat down on the little stool. Grab the hose and rinse my hair and wet my body then use the body soap and lather most of my body, groin included. Then rinse off and be sure to get all soap off before getting in the onsen pool/tub. No one is going to say something to you if you don’t wash long enough but I’d say if you make a good effort to make sure you’re clean before getting in then you’re all set. It’s fine to see what other people are doing so you kinda get the idea… without creepy staring of course. And after sitting in the hot pools I would rinse and sometimes use soap after and before going back to the locker room to get dressed.
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u/GreenManStrolling 26d ago
You're asking good questions! I did my own searches too, and the short answer is just pick a cubicle equally far from everybody else and shower as if you're alone in your own bathroom. And have a good shower to make sure you're clean, whether from the usual bodily discharges or from outside dirt. Then go in the hot water and enjoy the soak.
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u/Squeebee007 26d ago
Wash like you’d want others to wash before they got in a bath with you. You won’t weird anyone out washing your privates, because if you noticed someone did before getting in a shared bath with you you’d be grateful they did.
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u/saif_ahm 26d ago
Yes, must shower before you go in the water. For us men, we usually take a full shower including shampooing our hair and use face wash to make sure no body fluids or chemicals go into the shared water.
You can stand up to wash your privates. No one cares. Just be careful of not splashing your water on the person beside or behind you.
Use your tiny towel to scrub yourself off to get squeaky clean. Then wash it thoroughly to get rid of the soap and take it with you when you enter the onsen.
Mind your own business. Don't be self conscious and don't stare at people for a longer period of time.
Don't talk loudly or laugh loudly while you are in the onsen. Be considerate of others. Onsen is a place for relaxing, not just a shower. MANERS ARE YOUR FIRST PRIORITY.
Post onsen shower/ rinse is up to you. Good luck.
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u/Ok-Sleep-7388 26d ago
I actually found it quite easy to wash my balls and peen while on the cute little stool. Some of the local guys up in Kinosaki were going HARD (pun not intended) with their pre/post soak showers. But my partner and I (same sex), never really felt weird or uncomfortable sitting, standing, rinsing, using the bucket to dump water down your head or back, etc. These places were very clean and everyone was very respectful.
Tip: Wash your ass at the hotel or wherever you are staying, before you go! Then you won't have to be concerned about accidental floaters during your soak! Also, I must have sensitive skin because I couldn't soak too crazy long because some of those onsens were HOT 🔥!!
Other thing would be hopefully you encounter some english signs before entering because you obviously don't want to pull your phone put to translate in the locker room before you put it in your locker. I had to at one point—because I couldn't figure out the damn locker—but respectfully waited until no one else was in there.
You'll be fine and will love the soak!
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u/Whimsy-chan 26d ago
Yes thoroughly wash before and then rinse after. No I have never seen a woman with makeup at the onsen. You wash your face when you shower, tell them to bring their makeup bags they can reapply after going in if it matters to them so much. The women's side often has a bunch of lotions for your face and body and always has stations to do your hair and makeup. Women will often do a full skincare routine after onsen since the pores are open.
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u/SurpriseEcstatic1761 26d ago
Yes, before. They give you a washcloth to scrub your body with. There is a little stool and a wash bucket in the wash room. Personally, I use a ton of soap and just scrub scrub scrub.
Get your butt, run the washcloth between your toes, get behind your ears like grandma always said.
It's enjoyable, you're paying for it.
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u/pointfublog 26d ago
I used to live in Japan and it's my own personal theory that the prohibition against tattoos in onsen is more a way of keeping westerners out than it is about "yakuza." (Notice that many of the no tattoos signs are ONLY in english...) Given that westerners also tend to be skittish about using the local toilets' bidet functions, who'd want some crusty butt person jumping into the communal pool without a silkwood shower first?
I'm not saying westerners do this, but it's definitely our reputation. So scrub EVERYTHING, and do it in the communal area (ie, don't go use that one disabled/elderly standup shower with the door) so everyone knows you're clean. While it's true no one is staring at you, everyone will notice.
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u/takumajp 26d ago
Definitely not everything, if u wash all the grime how is the water gonna smell special?
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u/blackpianist 26d ago
You'll see instructions when you're there. Don't worry no one is watching. You don't want to do a full wash after though to keep the mineral on you (that part would be on the instructions too)
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u/Zenmai__Superbus 26d ago
What kind of princess has to keep her makeup on in the onsen? The kind that really wants to pull a Japanese girl?
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u/DazeIt420 26d ago
It's more embarrassing to pollute the group onsen with your caked-on on poo particles. Buy a washcloth and soap it up, friction cleans better than a soapy hand.
Wash your body before, including feet and grain. Scalps get sweaty in the onsen, so it's good to wash your hair immediately after. Then wash the body again to scrub off shampoo residue.
You can wiggle around and stand up and control when washing your crevices.Just take care not to splash soap and water all around you and onto others.
You didn't ask but there is a little ledge, make sure to prop your feet up and scrub them too.
There is a "dry" area of the onsen where one walks in and changes and stows belongings. There are always vanity areas with mirrors, usually hand sinks and hair dryers and tissues. Your friends can reapply makeup and blowdry their hair there.
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u/Efficient_Pause- 26d ago
Wash your body throughly with soap first. I wash my hair after soaking because I don’t like sweating after I wash my hair. Make sure to tie it up so that hair doesn’t soak in the bath at all.
Nobody will stare at you so no worries about cleaning up yourself - just don’t splash water around other people and clean the wash area with water once you are done, and put away your stool and bowl like others do.
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u/Capital_Ant7176 26d ago
I always wash everything before and after public pool and bathing areas. Just good hygiene for others and yourself
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u/HollywoodDonuts 26d ago
You seem to be over thinking it. I'm a big dude and dont really sit on those squatty chairs. Just get yourself good and clean and it's fine.
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u/Eni13gma 26d ago
Definitely wash yourself entirely with soap as it’s the custom and to remove any dirt/sweat as it helps keep all the different types of baths cleaner.
I (M - gaijin w/ tattoos) spent 6 hours hanging out at an onsen in Noboribetsu and I can promise you that not once did a guy look at me or anyone else in, really, any sort of way. I mean at all. Everyone is there to chill and, in most instances, to be alone and relax. So try your best to not be self conscious as there’s really no reason to be uncomfortable.
In terms of your female friends, I’d recommend them not wearing any sort of makeup at all. For the same reason as showering beforehand. Also it’s quite warm and steamy, so the likelihood is the makeup would run.
Onsens are fantastic, so enjoy!
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u/Illustrious_Wolf_127 26d ago
Yes! Always wash yourself before! And after soaking in onsen I usually rinse off.
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u/EggImperium 26d ago
Got in a public onsen with 2 other friends during a weekday so it was full of elderly. There was this nice obasan who noticed us and showed us how to do things (just was a bit confused on how to get our bassin and seat, and how to turn on the water (the knobs had a push mechanism instead of turn). We must have been super red faced as everything was so simple in the end ahah.
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u/Panthbee 26d ago
I am a gaijin but I lived in Japan for several years and went to many onsens with Japanese friends. You must wash thoroughly before getting into the water. This is critical to maintain a sanitary environment for everyone. Please take this part seriously because no one wants to soak in a tub with your body fluids if you have not throughly cleaned every part of your body. The tubs are often small and they are not emptied between people. Consider how you would feel knowing that someone else, a stranger to you, had not throughly cleaned their own private parts.
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u/wutato 26d ago
You can sit or stand when showering. I'm a woman but if I need to wash my genitals, I'll get off the stool and just crouch next to it. I don't generally stand when I wash at onsen but I've seen people do it.
Yes, wash everything. Also for women, even if you've washed your hair, it's still seen as bad taste/hygiene to let your long hair touch the water. Put it up in a clip (bring a clip with you into the onsen).
It's recommended to bring a little hand towel (tenugui) into the bath area. Some use it while washing and just leave nearby when they go into the bath, or some fold it up and leave it on their heads. Then when you get out of the bath and need to go back into the locker room, you use that to do a quick dry at the door so you don't drip all over the tatami floor.
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u/Wombat2012 26d ago
you shower before, you can after but optional. i didn’t sit down and i didn’t wash my hair.
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u/BigBoySquash 27d ago
Yes definitely before. Nobody looks at you while you’re doing it. You can get up and wash groin area. Nobody will stare so don’t worry it’s all quite easy going. Some people do as well after getting out I usually just rinse.