ETIQUETTE

Onsen Etiquette: How to Enjoy a Japanese Hot Spring

A hot spring soak is one of the best things you can do on a trip to Japan — a few unwritten rules make the difference between an awkward first visit and a relaxing one.

Wash first, soak second

The bath itself is for soaking, not washing. Before getting in, visitors sit at the shower stations lining the room and wash and rinse thoroughly. Skipping this step is the single most common mistake first-timers make, and it's the one local staff notice immediately.

Swimwear stays off

Onsen and sento (public bathhouses) are used without swimwear. It can feel unusual at first, but it's simply the norm — baths are typically separated by gender, and a small hand towel is the standard way to feel a little more comfortable walking between the shower area and the bath (it doesn't go in the water itself).

Tattoos: check before you go

Visible tattoos are still refused entry at a meaningful number of traditional onsen, historically due to associations with organized crime. This has been loosening steadily over the last several years, especially at facilities used to international visitors, but it isn't universal. If you have tattoos, it's worth checking a specific venue's policy in advance, or looking for tattoo-friendly venues or private-bath ("kashikiri") options rather than assuming you'll be fine.

Private baths are a good fallback. Many ryokan and larger onsen facilities offer a reservable private bath for an hourly fee — a good option if you're traveling with family, feel self-conscious, or simply want the experience without the etiquette to think about.

A few smaller habits worth knowing

Long hair is usually tied up so it doesn't touch the water.
Photography inside the bathing area is not acceptable, for obvious reasons.
Jumping or swimming in the bath isn't done — it's meant for quiet soaking.

None of this is complicated once you've done it once — it's mostly a matter of knowing what to expect before you're standing in the changing room figuring it out. Tabimado's AI concierge will be able to answer venue-specific questions like this once the app is live.