Japan’s volcanic topography is certainly tempestuous, but it has also gifted the nation the ultimate natural source of relaxation: hot springs containing at least one of 19 health-boosting elements, from sulphur to iron.
From Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south, the country boasts more than 27,000 sources of these thermal waters. Onsen, as they are known here, have been central to Japanese wellness culture for more than a thousand years. Soaking in these warm, mineral-rich waters is a restorative ritual cherished for its rejuvenating effect on body and mind.
Entire resort towns have grown up around Japan’s natural hot-spring sources. Indoor onsen (uchiburo) are found in dedicated bathing facilities, which can range from a single small tub to an expansive hall filled with pools of varying temperatures, as well as in ryokan (traditional inns), resorts, and luxury hotels alike. Outdoor onsen are called rotenburo and often overlook evergreen forests or rivers, inviting bathers to contemplate nature.
Rooted in Shinto beliefs about the purifying properties of water, Japanese onsens and bathing culture are steeped in tradition and bathers follow onsen etiquette. To partake in this healing ritual, it’s essential to respect the customs surrounding it. If you’ve never visited an onsen before, here’s what you need to know.
Onsen Etiquette
Onsen culture emphasizes cleanliness and courtesy toward your fellow bathers. International visitors are expected to follow the local rules of etiquette, which are particularly firm in the shared space of an onsen. Illustrated signage posted in changing rooms typically outlines the rules of visiting onsen in Japan, but to avoid unwelcome surprises, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the customs before you visit.
1. Take your shoes off at the entrance.
At the entrance to the onsen you’ll find a shoe rack. This is your signal to slip off your shoes, store them, and don the provided slippers to walk to the changing area (women’s changing rooms are typically indicated by a red curtain, men’s by a blue curtain) in front of which you then remove your slippers.
2. Remove all of your clothing.
With rare exceptions, bathing at an onsen is done in the nude, both for traditional and hygienic reasons. If the idea of stripping down in public makes you nervous, fear not: Guests are extremely respectful and staring is highly taboo. Stash your clothing and belongings in a locker or basket in the designated changing room, and then slide open the door to the bathing area. Onsen are typically separated by gender, though some mixed facilities exist. Small washcloths are provided to cover yourself for modesty as you walk into the bathing area. If you’re uncomfortable being naked around strangers, seek out an onsen hotel with private baths.
3. Wash yourself thoroughly before you bathe.
Out of respect for the purity of their water, onsen are for soaking only: You don’t clean yourself in the communal bath. When you enter the bathing area, you’ll see a line of wooden or plastic stools in front of individual showers. Sit down on a stool and scrub yourself clean, making sure to thoroughly remove all soap suds using either the showerhead or provided bucket.
4. Submerge yourself carefully.
Leave your washcloth by the side of the bath or balance it on top of your head, and slip into the hot water without making a splash or otherwise disturbing fellow bathers. Allow your body to adjust to the temperature by lowering yourself slowly into the water up to your shoulders and no higher. If you have long hair, make sure it’s tied up and doesn’t touch the water (and keep your washcloth out of the water as well).
5. Keep it quiet and distraction free.
The onsen is a place for relaxation, so while you can certainly chat with your companions, keep your voice low. The onsen also functions as a digital detox space, so leave your phone in your locker. Smartphones with cameras are strictly prohibited to protect bathers’ privacy.
6. Listen to your body.
Don’t stay in the water too long or you may risk fainting. Many people recommend 30 minutes as the maximum soaking time, with 10- to 15-minute soaks being common. If you start to feel lightheaded, slowly get out of the pool, rinse yourself with cool water, and sip some water or tea. Larger onsens might have a mizuburo, or a cold plunge pool that will help you cool off after the warm water and improve circulation.
7. Leave gracefully.
While there’s no need to rinse after your bath (it is recommended to keep the minerals on your skin), you should pat yourself dry before reentering the dressing area so you don’t drip all over the floor.
A note for travelers who have tattoos:
Historically, many onsen operators banned bathers with tattoos. But times are changing, and attitudes are softening. Many onsen will permit tattooed visitors as long as the ink is covered up with a bandage or stickers, but you should still check with each onsen beforehand or seek out a tattoo-friendly or private onsen.
Where to Find Onsen at Marriott Bonvoy Participating Hotels and Resorts in Japan
Some of the loveliest onsen in all of Japan are housed in hotels and resorts. Unlike larger communal onsen, these offer the opportunity to soak in healing waters in a more intimate setting. Some even offer private in-suite onsen for guests seeking a more secluded experience.
In central Kyoto, HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa blends contemporary and traditional Japanese design. At the hotel’s expansive Thermal Spring Spa, the mixed-gender onsen pool is fed by a natural source beneath the property. This onsen breaks with tradition by requiring bathers to wear swimsuits. Private onsen experiences are also available, as well as suites with their own outdoor hot spring baths.
Ensconced in the natural splendor of Nikko National Park, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko features breathtaking views of Lake Chuzenji and Mount Nantai from many of the rooms and suites. The hotel’s indoor and outdoor onsen draw natural hot spring water from the nearby historic Yumoto Onsen, known for its skin-beautifying qualities. If you visit in the winter, you could be soaking in healing waters surrounded by snow.
High in the mountains of Hokkaido, Spa Chasi La Sothys at Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve offers a rejuvenating sanctuary after a day on the slopes. Soothe tired muscles in the indoor and outdoor onsen or book a session in a private onsen.
Set amid the dramatic Japan Alps, Courtyard by Marriott Hakuba offers easy access to skiing, hiking, and other mountain adventures. Known for reducing fatigue, the waters of the Hakuba Himekawa Onsen feed the hotel’s indoor and open-air hot spring baths, as well as the private onsen tubs in select rooms.
Set among the historic streets of Kyoto’s well-preserved Higashiyama district, The Westin Miyako Kyoto has been welcoming guests for more than 130 years. The hotel’s modern addition, Spa Kacho, has indoor and semioutdoor baths that draw water from the Kyoto Keage Onsen, which is said to improve circulation.
Located in the forested hills of the Izu Peninsula with views of Mount Fuji, Izu Marriott Hotel Shuzenji offers a tranquil nature retreat. The hotel’s onsen facilities are fed by the local Shuzenji hot spring and include a large public bath with indoor and outdoor areas, as well as select rooms and suites with private open-air baths.
At the foot of Japan’s tallest mountain, Fuji Marriott Hotel Lake Yamanaka is surrounded by the beauty of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Soak up the healing waters of Yamanakako hot spring in the hotel’s public bath or in the privacy of your own premium room with a hot spring bath.