The Etiquette and Benefits of Visiting a Japanese Onsen (Hot Spring)

When you finally come to Japan, I would highly recommend you visit an Onsen (Hot Spring).

For the Japanese a weekend away at an Onsen is looked forward to, it’s a great time to relax with family and friends.

It’s a time to relax in warm water, let your muscles relax, and evaporate the stress of everyday life.

What is an Onsen?

I suppose we should first define what is an Onsen.

An Onsen (hot water spring) is a natural hot spring bath. Onsen water is geothermally heated beneath the ground and rises to the surface.

The definition of an Onsen according to the Japanese Hot Spring Act, should meet the following requirements.

• The water vapor or other gases coming out of the ground should be at least 25 c (77f) in temperature.
• The Onsen water should contain a certain amount of one or more of 19 mineral substances.

Japan has more than 27,000 hot springs, which 2.6 million liters of water every minute, 47 % of this output is water that is over 42 c.

There are over 3,000 hotels/Ryokan in the hot spring areas of Japan, they are situated along the volcanic belt. You would think this tremendous output of naturally heated water would run out or wouldn’t be available all year round, but the water is replenished by a large amount of precipitation that falls over Japan in the form of snow and rain, especially during the rainy and typhoon season.

A Brief History of the Onsen

The Onsen goes back into the mists of time, the earliest mention of them was mentioned in the Nihon Shoki, which was written in the 1 st century, this text mentioned three of Japan’s oldest Onsens.

• Dogo-onsen, Ehime Prefecture
• Shirahama onsen, wakayama Prefecture
• Arima onsen, Hyogo Prefecture

The Onsen wasn’t available to everyone it was mainly used by the Nobility and warrior class (Samurai), and it was considered a luxury.

The Onsen’s opened up to more sections of the public when the railway network spread across Japan.

Where there were Onsen, towns sprung up with hotels, shops, and restaurants, so a tourist industry has built up around the Onsen.

Ryokan’s (traditional Inns) became and still are popular in these Onsen towns. They also serve gorgeously served traditional Japanese food, they usually have local delicacies.

Health Benefits of the Onsen

Increased Blood Circulation

Onsen water has several natural elements, such as Sodium Bicarbonate and Calcium, these get absorbed into the body through the skin while bathing. These minerals help increase blood flow and the amount of oxygen in the blood.

Reduce Stress

The hot spring water (Onsen) can relieve tense muscles, the Onsen is usually situated in a beautiful area, these views can relax people and clear their minds of any worries they might have.

If you take an Onsen before bedtime, your body will cool down, which relaxes the body and can give you a good night’s sleep.

Relieve Pain

There have been studies about the pain relief effects of bathing in an Onsen. The Journal of Rheumatology found that the intense heat of the Onsen water seemed to dull people’s perception of pain.

The Onsens water buoyancy helps with aching joints.

The study found that the combination of temperature, minerals, mental state, and freer movement in the water, helped relieve different kinds of pain.

Treatment of Skin Problems

Japanese hot springs have various minerals; some are very beneficial for skin conditions.

Some hot springs contain Silica which softens dry and rough/hard skin.

Onsens containing Sulfur are recommended for people suffering from eczema.

So choosing an Onsen with the correct minerals could help with your ailments.

The Etiquette of Taking an Onsen (Hot Spring)

When entering the hot spring (Onsen), please be careful entering the correct door, it’s usual for men and women to bathe separately.

Please study the picture below of the kanji for men and women.

After solving this tricky puzzle, you will see lockers or wicker baskets to put your clothes in, there will also be sinks with hairdryers, and other items to make you look the picture of health as you leave the Onsen after bathing.

It can be difficult for some people due to their culture/shyness, but you should remove all your clothes, you cannot enter the water with any clothing, not even swimsuits. (for me after a few times at an onsen, I didn’t think twice about being naked, I just accepted the custom)

So now you are naked and ready to experience an Onsen, all you need is to take the small white towel into the hot spring (Onsen), which you should have been supplied with either in your hotel room or at the reception desk.

You might think at last I can get into the hot/soothing water, but not so fast, before entering the water you have to follow the Japanese custom of washing your body and also your hair if you choose to do so. You will see along the wall a line of showers and small seats with body soap and shampoo. As you can see in the picture below.

After washing your body, you can enter the hot spring (Onsen), it’s time to relax in the hot water and let your stress float away.

While in the Onsen for others and your benefit, please follow these rules:

• Don’t speak loudly
• Don’t put your small towel in the water
• No swimming
• Don’t take pictures
• No running

One of the main drawbacks for some visitors to Japan is that most Onsens have a strict rule of No Tattoo, so if you have a tattoo and you can’t easily cover it up, it might be difficult for you to experience an Onsen.

Why you might ask, this is due to the Japanese perception that people with tattoos are members of Organized Crime (Yakusa). Times are slowly changing so it would be worth looking for tattoo-friendly Onsens.

I would recommend if you can choose an Onsen with an outside Onsen (Roten-buro), you can feel the cool breeze and have amazing views of a traditional Japanese garden, or views of mountains or a river. In the Autumn you will see the bright colors of the changing leaves, in the winter the snow covers everything, while you are bathing in the warm water, and in the Spring the amazing sight of the cherry blossom.

The Ideal Onsen (Hot spring) Stay

• When you arrive at the hotel/Inn and settle into your room, it’s then time to take a short bath in the late afternoon before dinner.
• After dinner a longer bath is taken to relax you for a good night’s sleep.
• Then take a short bath in the morning, just after waking up, before breakfast.

If you can fit these three baths into your stay, this is considered to be perfection.

When you come to Japan, I would highly recommend you go to an Onsen, you will experience Japanese culture/traditions, and relax in the warm water, you will feel the spirit of Japan and admire the natural beauty of the Country. Visiting an Onsen should definitely be on your list of things to do while you are in Japan.