18/03/2026
Onsen is one of the best retreat place for Japanese.
Now, do you know the rules?
Slight different rule here and there but most of the places are the same.
I am Japanese and go to many Onsen. Let me share the common rule.
1-Shoes off before stepping into the place. Some places, I cannot identify where to take off. In this case, ask!
2-Quiet! People come to Onsen for relaxation or refresh from the work. Your “OMG! WOW” is not so welcome.
3-if you have tattoo, ask if you are allowed to enter the place. Old times, only Yakuza had tattoo and elders still feel uncomfortable with it.
4-Bring or buy a small Onsen towel. This will hide your big cannon. People do not want to see it. Intimidating.
5-Open any doors, then close it!!
All moistures and Onsen temp needs to kept by closed door condition.
6-find a place to sit down and wash your body before you go into the bath. Those bath is shared by many people and we do not wanna see your deodorant or hair wax or stinky feet etc go into bath. Hide your big asset while you are finding spot.
7-after wash your body, make sure you wash your body as well as chair! Do not share your ass with next persons ass. Wash chair and barrel by showering it and re-set it. Barrel to be upside down on top of chair, so everyone knows that is washed and your ass hair is not attached to chair.
8-goes into bath very slowly. Go in like flamingo goes into water. If not, you make Tsunami and uncomfortable for existing settlers. Towel never goes into bath as it is your body wash and your dead skins and dirt is attached to the towel. The timing of putting towel from hiding your sausage to top of your head is crucial. As every one in the bath is sitting down and their eye level and you standing sausage level is almost same height. Lift your towel just as you sit down. Then you do not offend anyone.
9-Usually local daily users are coming to Onsen alone. Better be quiet!
10-Dry your body by using Onsen towel before you walk into changing room. Remember, you face to wall when you wipe your body. Don’t show off your asset.
11-when you finish using the basket, make it upside down to show its available.
