When you set foot in an onsen area, there are several rules to keep in mind: remove your footwear at the entrance, wash your body until it is completely clean before entering the pool, soak without any clothing, and make sure your small towel never touches the water.
These rules are not arbitrary. They are rooted in the culture of omotenashi (the Japanese tradition of hospitality), which places shared comfort above all else.
Unlike an ordinary public bath, an onsen is a communal space built around tranquillity, cleanliness, and mutual respect. Because the water is shared, every rule exists to keep it clear, the atmosphere peaceful, and the experience undisturbed for everyone.
What follows is a comprehensive guide to onsen etiquette, covering the fundamental rules, the strict no-go areas, and the unwritten customs that will make your soaking experience all the more meaningful.
Also Read: Looking for a Healing Escape Without Leaving the City? Try a Private Onsen
The Philosophy Behind Onsen Etiquette
Before getting into the rules themselves, it helps to understand the philosophy that underpins them. Once you grasp the reasoning, following each practice becomes second nature rather than something you do without knowing why.
In Japan, an onsen is not a place for washing or cleaning the body. It is a space for soaking, resting, and quieting the mind. This is precisely why everyone entering the pool is expected to already be clean.
Onsen water typically does not contain chlorine like a swimming pool, so maintaining its cleanliness is a shared responsibility among all visitors.
Almost every rule that exists flows from this single principle: respect the people who share the same space with you.
Etiquette Before Entering the Onsen Pool
The steps before entering the pool are the most critical, and the most commonly overlooked by beginners. Yet it is at this stage that the quality of the experience for all visitors is determined.
1. Remove Your Footwear at the Entrance
Upon entering the onsen area, you will find a designated spot for storing your shoes. Outdoor footwear must be swapped for the indoor sandals provided.
This practice is part of the broader Japanese habit of separating outdoor and indoor areas for hygiene purposes.
2. Enter the Changing Room Designated for Your Gender
Onsen separate changing rooms and bathing areas by gender. Generally, a blue curtain indicates the men’s area and a red curtain marks the women’s area.
You can also look for the kanji characters 男 (men) and 女 (women) to make sure you enter the right side.
3. Store All Clothing and Belongings in a Locker
In the changing room, all clothing and personal items go into a locker or basket. This includes underwear and swimwear, since traditional Japanese onsen do not allow any type of clothing inside the pool.
Smartphones and cameras must also be left behind to protect the privacy of every visitor.
4. Wash Your Body Thoroughly in the Shower Area
This is the single most important rule in all of onsen etiquette. Before entering the pool, you are required to wash your entire body at the shower station, which is typically located within the bathing area.
Sit on the small stool provided, use soap to clean your body, and rinse until there is absolutely no soap residue left.
Standing while using the shower is considered impolite, as it risks splashing water onto other visitors nearby.
Etiquette While in the Pool
Once you have completed all the preparation steps, there are a few things to keep in mind while you are actually in the water:
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Enter the Water Slowly
Onsen water is typically quite hot, ranging between 40°C and 42°C.
Lower yourself in gradually, starting with your feet, then ease in the rest of your body, so you do not shock your circulatory system. Beyond being safer, this also keeps the water calm and free from unnecessary waves.
Keep Your Small Towel Out of the Water
The small towel you bring from the changing room should never touch the pool water.
You can set it on the edge of the pool, or follow the local custom of placing it folded on top of your head while you soak.
Tie Up Long Hair
If you have long hair, tie it up neatly so it does not come into contact with the water’s surface.
Like the towel rule, this is part of the collective effort to keep the shared water clean.
Keep Quiet and Maintain a Peaceful Atmosphere
An onsen is a space for relaxation, not for socialising loudly.
Conversation is still permitted, but at a low volume. Loud laughter, shouting, or playing music from electronic devices will disturb other visitors and is considered highly disrespectful.
Do Not Swim or Dive
Even though an onsen pool might look spacious enough, activities such as swimming, diving, or splashing around are not allowed.
An onsen is designed for soaking, not for water sports.
Etiquette After Finishing Your Soak
Onsen manners do not end the moment you step out of the pool. There are a few post-soak customs worth observing as well.
Before heading back to the changing room, towel off your body with the small towel. This keeps the changing room floor dry and safe from slipping for the next person.
Once in the changing room, dry yourself fully with a large towel before getting dressed.
One more thing: many onsen enthusiasts choose not to rinse their body immediately after soaking. The idea is to let the minerals from the water continue to absorb into the skin. But if your skin is on the sensitive side, a brief rinse is perfectly fine.
Things That Are Strictly Not Allowed in an Onsen
There are several absolute prohibitions that you should avoid entirely while at an onsen:
- Entering the pool without washing your body first.
- Wearing swimwear or underwear in the water.
- Bringing smartphones, cameras, or any electronic devices into the bathing area.
- Letting your towel or hair tips touch the pool water.
- Talking loudly, laughing boisterously, or playing music.
- Swimming, diving, or splashing water at others.
- Soaking while intoxicated.
Breaking any of these rules will not only disrupt the comfort of other visitors but may also result in a warning from staff, or even being asked to leave.
So make sure to always maintain proper conduct throughout your onsen session.
Also Read: Benefits of Soaking in a Private Onsen for the Body
Enjoy the Finest Soaking Experience at Onsei
Onsen etiquette involves quite a number of practices, from removing footwear at the entrance and washing before entering the pool, to keeping your towel dry and maintaining quiet throughout the session.
For a beginner, remembering all of it at once can feel like a lot to take in.
The good news is that at Onsei, you can enjoy a Japanese-style soaking experience without worrying about the traditional onsen rules outlined above.
Every session at Onsei is served privately in a separate room for one guest or a couple. You do not need to share the pool with others, you do not need to worry about disturbing anyone, and you do not need to feel self-conscious about the extensive bathing rules that apply at traditional Japanese hot springs.
One of Onsei’s signature treatments is the Signature Onsen Bath, presented in a handcrafted teak wood tub. The tub is designed to retain warmth naturally, filled with mineral-rich water, and set within a tranquil atmosphere.
The Onsei team will also professionally guide you through a clear treatment flow, so that even as a complete beginner, the soaking experience feels easy and calming from the very first minute.
Enjoy your private soaking experience only at Onsei.
Expectant mothers, older adults, or guests with a history of blood pressure issues or specific health conditions are advised to consult with the Onsei team before booking a treatment.
