Onsen Natural Hotsprings

Tatoo Warning. If you have big tatoo, you may not be able to go in a communal bath. Please check the site policy if you are not sure.

this is a picture of typical communal bath at ryokan.

Put your clothes in a basket in the changing room. If you are staying at ryokan, Japanese inns, they will provide you a small towel and a bath towel.You may bring your small towel in a communal bath area, but not inside bath tub. You may not bring a bath towel in a communal bath area because there’s no place to put it.
Rinse your body before getting into the bath. Washing away sweat and dust before getting in keeps the water clean. Usually, there’s a stool and shower faucet as shown in the picture. It is polite to sit on a plastic or wooden stool to take a shower or wash your body with a small towel. If you stand up and take a shower, people may around you may be annoyed. You can use a small towel as your wash cloth.
You may see people scoop hot water from the bath to splash on the body, it is ok to do so in terms of etiquette.
Once you are done, rinse the seat you sat on and the bucket you used.
Japanese hot springs are to be enjoyed naked.Don’t take items like your towel into the bathtub. Wearing a swimsuit in the bath is also against bathing etiquette unless specifically allowed by the management.
After getting out of the bath, dry off lightly with your small towel before entering the dressing area.
After rinsing your small towel, you may take it back home with you. If the inn provides a bath towels, those must stay at the inn.
Bringing alcohol is not advisable, especially in glass bottles. Please check with the inns for their policy.

Sake Education Council