First of all, it is necessary to distinguish between the two types of Japanese hot springs: sentou and onsen. Sentou is hot water that is boiled and poured into the tub, while onsen is a completely natural hot spring. The spring used for onsen bathing is pure mineral water, which is very good for health. Bathing in onsen not only has the effect of relaxing and nourishing the spirit, but soaking in hot springs also has very good healing effects.
There are two types of onsen baths: open-air baths (rotenburo or notenburo) and indoor baths (uchiyu). Depending on the destination and preferences, visitors can choose their favorite onsen bath. Rotenburo costs about 800 yen (160,000 VND/day), while uchiyu is integrated into hotels, inns (ryokan) or inns (minshuku), priced from about 5,000 yen to 10,000 yen (1-2 million/day), including food and rest.
However, whichever method you choose, visitors need to understand and comply with the following certain rules:
- Bathe in the right place
Most onsen always have two separate areas, for men and women, the entrances are separated by blue curtains for men and red curtains for women.
- Leave your belongings in a private area
This is also the changing area and storage area for personal items. Each visitor stores their personal belongings in a locker and wears the key on their hand while soaking.
- Completely nude
This is an important rule that tourists need to remember and no one is exempt from. The Japanese believe that when enjoying elegant pleasures, all distances are eliminated.
- Cleanse your body before bathing
Before soaking in the hot spring water, visitors need to take a bath. The bathing area is also located in the onsen area, but is in a separate corner, along with chairs, a basin, and basic toiletries. Visitors can bring their own soap, shower gel, and shampoo if they wish. Only after being clean can visitors enter the bath.
- Bring your own towel
Towels are available for rent at onsen baths, but visitors are advised to bring their own towels for their own comfort. In particular, visitors are not allowed to bring towels into the hot tub.
- Test the water temperature
While bathing, visitors should use hot water to let their bodies get used to the temperature. Before getting in, soak your feet for a few minutes to feel the temperature. After getting used to the hot water, visitors can enjoy comfortable moments with the warm water and the cold winter weather.
- Do not let hair touch the bath water
Hair should be tied up or wrapped in a small towel. Never immerse the head (from the neck up) or let the hair touch the bath water.
- No photography
No cell phones or cameras are allowed in public bathing areas.
- Ban people with tattoos
According to the Japanese concept, tattoos are a sign of the Japanese mafia (yakuza) and can more or less make other visitors feel afraid. Therefore, onsen areas prohibit people with tattoos, a part of Japanese people with tattoos are also aware of this so they hardly enter onsen. However, foreigners are allowed if their tattoos are within the prescribed level. There are usually signs outside onsen indicating whether people with tattoos are allowed to bathe or not.
- No eating and smoking
Smoking in public is prohibited in Japan, and eating in the onsen area is also not allowed. In areas where hot sake is allowed, visitors need to ask at the reception desk. For privacy, visitors should choose uchiyu, traditional Japanese inns.
- Drink plenty of water
Drink plenty of water, and avoid drinking alcohol in the hours before and after your bath as it will dehydrate you further.
- Ensure health
Do not bathe in hot springs if you have health problems such as stomach ache or nausea, are menstruating, or have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure.
- Clean your body after bathing
Natural Onsen are all natural minerals that have the ability to heal and relax the body harmoniously, so they have a very distinctive smell. Therefore, visitors do not need to bathe with clean water, just need to dry their entire body after soaking in the hot spring.
