The Japanese Art of Spa: A Beginner’s Guide to Onsen

With thousands of onsen (hot springs) throughout the volcanic islands of Japan, visiting these springs is an enduring staple of Japanese culture. The experience is one of peace, natural beauty, and relaxation. If you’re lucky enough to go to one or many, here’s some tips for your trip.

Note: Onsen is the Japanese name for a hot spring, and typically refers to the entire bathing facility surrounding the spring itself.

Preparing for your Visit

A visit to an onsen is welcoming and rewarding, but also unique, so it’s important to know what to expect. For one, bathers typically don’t wear any clothing—swimsuits are usually not allowed. Keep in mind:

• Don’t be self-conscious. Though you won’t be wearing any clothing, no one else will be either. Relax and enjoy the natural, soothing waters of the onsen. It’s a friendly, communal setting.

• Tattoos could be a problem. Many onsen don’t allow tattoos, but some have exceptions, and some don’t restrict tattoos. Make sure you check before you go and plan accordingly.

• Consider your toiletries. Most onsen have some toiletries available, but their quality can vary. We suggest bringing your own personal products.
• Bring hair ties. One thing you can wear is something to keep your hair up and out of the bath!
• Bring your own towels. Unlike many Western spas, there is a fee to rent towels, but you can bring your own. We typically recommend bringing one large and one small towel.

The Hot Spring Experience

Here are some points to keep in mind as you sink into the soothing waters: 

• You can bring a small towel with you to the water—but don’t let it get in the bath. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can hold a small towel in front of yourself for modesty—but it is not necessary. Just remember that your towel should never enter the bath itself. Place it on your head while you bathe.
• The water is very hot. Especially for first-timers, it’s best to take a bucket and collect some water from the bath to pour on yourself before entering, to help acclimate yourself. Just make sure you don’t make a huge splash when doing so!
• Should you shower after? After relaxing in the onsen, visitors often ask whether they should shower. There isn’t a clear-cut answer to this, but some onsen waters are said to have special skin-healing and rejuvenating properties. If your skin feels great after the bath, you might want to skip the shower and let the nutrients seep into your skin.

It's Lounge Time.

Once you dry off, it’s time to visit the lounge. These are typically located just outside the locker room and offer drinks. After bathing, hydration is both necessary and refreshing. While beer and sake are often available, the recommended post-onsen drink is fresh milk, both for health and cultural reasons. In the eyes of many Japanese onsen-goers, a glass of iced milk after a hot spa is the perfect way to end the day.

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Learn about the historic onsen of beautiful Hakone.

If you can’t make it to a tradition Japanese onsen, create the spa experience in your own home with Mineral Lagoon’s Hakone-inspired mineral bath.