Hot spring etiquette

Types of hot springs and baths

Places to soak in hot water in Japan come in several forms: hot springs fed by water from the ground, neighbourhood public bathhouses, large shared baths inside hotels and ryokan, and day-use hot spring facilities. The names differ but the etiquette is nearly the same. The entrances to the men's and women's baths are marked with hanging curtains, often colour-coded, but colours vary between facilities and are not reliable. Learning the characters for man and woman in advance saves confusion. Some places swap the men's and women's baths at certain times of day, so check the sign every time you go in.

Before you get in

If it is your first time, following these steps avoids most mistakes.

• Undress completely in the changing room and put clothes in a basket or locker
• Leave the large towel in the changing room and take only a small one in
• Sit on a low stool at the washing area and wash your body and hair with the shower
• Rinse off all the soap before getting into the bath
• Ease in slowly, toes first, to get used to the temperature

Manners in the bath

Because many people share the water, keeping it clean is the most important rule. Keep the small towel out of the water: rest it on your head or at the edge of the bath. Tie up long hair so it doesn't touch the water. Don't scrub your body or rub with the towel in the bath; that belongs at the washing area. Avoid swimming, jumping in or splashing. Many people come for a quiet rest, so keep conversations low. When using the shower at the washing area, stay seated so you don't spray the person next to you.

Swimsuits and tattoos

Japanese hot springs and bathhouses are nearly always entered nude, and swimsuits are not accepted. Swimwear is worn only at some hot spring facilities run like water parks or at mixed-gender baths, and even then you follow the facility's rules. Many facilities still restrict entry for people with tattoos. Some allow small tattoos if covered with a sticker, and some have relaxed their rules with overseas visitors in mind, but there is no uniform standard. If you have tattoos, ask the facility directly before booking, or choose a private bath reserved for your family or group.

Going back to the changing room

Before returning to the changing room, wipe off most of the water with your small towel so the floor stays dry. This is a surprisingly common oversight. Rinse the stool and basin you used at the washing area, turn them upside down in their place, and check you haven't left hair behind. If you want the minerals to stay on your skin, you can skip a final rinse, but a light rinse is better if your skin is sensitive. Others are waiting for the hairdryers and sinks, so don't occupy them for long.

Health and safety

Hot water affects blood pressure and heart rate. It is safer to avoid bathing right after drinking alcohol, when very full or when exhausted. Drink plenty of water before and after, and several short soaks are easier on the body than one long one. Standing up suddenly can make you dizzy, so rise slowly. Facilities often post a notice on the wall listing the spring's minerals and the conditions under which bathing should be avoided. If you have a heart or blood pressure condition or are pregnant, consult a doctor beforehand, and if you feel unwell while bathing, get out at once and tell the staff.

Enjoying the bath at your accommodation

At a ryokan or hot spring hotel, it is perfectly normal to walk to the shared bath in the yukata, the light robe provided in your room. Wrap it left side over right; the reverse is how the deceased are dressed, so it is avoided. Shared baths have set opening and cleaning hours, so check the information at check-in. Leave valuables in the room safe and take only the minimum to the changing room. If your group would like a quiet bath to yourselves, ask whether a private bath can be reserved.

Common mistakes and cautions

Photography in the changing room and the bath is forbidden without exception. Leaving your phone in the locker rather than carrying it in is the best way to avoid misunderstandings. If you have children with you, regions and facilities set an age limit for bathing with a parent of the opposite sex, so check it. Day-use facilities may require you to rent or buy towels and toiletries separately. Hot spring etiquette feels unfamiliar at first, but if you remember the core principle of washing first and keeping the water clean, the rest follows naturally.