The Basic Facts on Japanese Onsen (Hot Springs)
Visiting an onsen is probably the quitessential Japanese experience. Japan is known for its volcanoes and earthquakes, the good thing that comes from all this geological activity is thousands of onsen (hot springs).
Onsen come in many types and shapes, including outdoor ,(rotenburo or notenburo) and indoor baths. Onsen may be either public run by a municipality or private, usually run as part of a hotel, ryokan or Bed and Breakfast (minshuku). Many onsen also offer day passes for visitors who wish to enjoy all the benefits but don’t want to spend the night
Onsen are an important part of Japanese domestic tourism often attracting Japanese couples, families or company groups who want to get away from the hectic life of the city to relax. One of the reasons Japanese people like onsen so much is the benifits of "naked communion" said to break down barriers between people in a the relaxed atmosphere of an onsen and the surrounding accomidations. Food also plays an important part in the attraction of a particular Ryokan or hotel. Many accomidationas also offer other services like massages.
Onsen are often indicated on signs and maps by the symbol ♨ or the kanji,
湯 (yu, meaning "hot water"). Sometimes the simpler hiragana
character ゆ (yu) is used, ad it is easier for younger children to understand.
Shibu onsen town Nagano prefecture
Some More Facts on Onsen
Traditionally, onsen were located outdoors. Now a days many ryokan (Japanese
inns) have built indoor bathing facilities as well as outdoor. The outdoor
bath are usually made from Japanese cypress, marble or granite, while
indoor tubs may be made with tile, acrylic glass or stainless steel.
An Onsen by definition use naturally occuring hot water from geothermally
heated springs. Onsen water is believed to have healing powers derived
from their mineral content. many onsen feature several different baths
each with different mineral content.
Origionaly, men and women bathed together in the onsen but in recent years
single-sex bathing has become the established practice. Mixed-sex bathing
still happens at some onsen in the rural areas of Japan. These onsen usually
also provide the option of separate "women-only" baths or different
hours for the two sexes. It should be noted young children of either sex
may be seen in both the men's and the women's baths.
Lockers in the change room are genrally provided to keep you valuables
in. After placing your goods in the locker you can usually take a key
attached to a ruber water proof wrist band. In the alternative when no
lockers are provided your clothing can be put in a basket on a shelf and
your valuables can be places behind the checkin counter.
Onsen Etiquette
Swim suits / Bathing suites
Soakers normally dont wear swimsuits in the baths. On the other hand these days a few modern onsen that have a more waterpark atmosphere require their guests to wear swimsuits in their mixed-sex baths.
Hygene
At an onsen, guests are requried to wash their bodies and rinse themselves thoroughly using the showers before entering the hot water. Most onsen have facitities with removable shower heads and stools to sit on, for showering and shampooing.
Towels
Bathers usually bring a small towel with them into the onsen. The towel serves to provide a hint of modesty when walking between the washing area and the baths. Sometimes the onsen will allow you to wear the towel into the baths but others have posted signs prohibiting this. In the case of not being allowed to wear the towel in the onsen people normally e place their folded towels on top of their heads.
Tattoos & Onsen
Most onsens have rules againt allowing people with tattoos into the baths sometimes posting signs to the effect. This rule is genearlly in place to keep Japanese Yakuza (mafia) from causing trouble with other bathers however as many non Japanese (foriegners) have tattoos these days it can sometimes cause problems. Covering up body art with a bandage or something of the sort will generally do the trick. Another way to get around this problem is to use the “family” or “private” onsen many ryokans offer for family bathing by simply reserving it ahead of time.
Making Noise
Onsen are considerd to be a retreat from the stress oan hetice pace of life in Japan, consequently they are usually fairly quiet it is acceptable however to engage in conversation.
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