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No trip to Japan is complete without at least one visit to an onsen. But what exactly is an onsen? It's the ultimate Japanese wellness treatment! Onsen are natural hot springs that have been expanded into spa-like resorts. In total, there are over 30,000 hot springs and over 3,000 resorts spread across Japan.
How do Onsen get hot?
Onsen water must come from a geothermal source, where it is heated by underground volcanic activity. The water contains a lot of minerals that are considered very beneficial for the skin, circulation, and overall health. Incidentally, the water in onsen baths must come from a volcanic source and be at least 25 degrees Celsius.
What does an Onsen look like?
An onsen is similar in structure to a German thermal bath: there is an entrance area, changing rooms, showers and toilets. There are simple, smaller onsen that only have one or two pools. Most of the larger onsen, however, have five or even more pools and often even a sauna. Most of the time there are indoor and outdoor pools.
Onsen in Japanese Culture
Onsen play a very important role in Japanese culture. On the one hand, of course, they are a popular tourist attraction. On the other hand, it is not unusual for families, couples, or groups of friends to take a weekend trip to an onsen. Incidentally, not everyone was allowed to enter onsen in the past. For example, during the Kamakura period, onsen were considered a luxury and a wellness resort and were only visited by the upper class and warriors.
Sento vs. Onsen
What is the difference between an onsen and a sento? In an onsen, the hot water comes from a volcanic source. A sento, on the other hand, is a public bathhouse that also attracts people with hot water - but this is heated artificially. Incidentally, the rules of etiquette, which we will discuss below, are the same for both sento and onsen.
Eating after the Onsen
Many onsen have their own dining area where visitors can eat something or have a cup of tea . They usually serve classic Japanese dishes , such as udon or okonomiyaki . A special dish is the "onsen egg", which is cooked very slowly in the onsen bath. The protein of the onsen egg stays incredibly creamy and smooth, while the yolk becomes relatively firm - but still remains intensely yellow.
Many onsen also have healthy specialties on their menu that are freshly sourced from the region and that you won't find anywhere else.
Important Rules - How to Behave in an Onsen
If you're visiting an onsen for the first time, there are a few rules you should definitely follow.
Shoes must stay outside
The onsen area is not to be soiled by dirty shoes. There are usually lockers for shoes that you can use free of charge.
Tattoos are (mostly) forbidden
Tattoos were previously strongly associated with crime and criminals in Japanese culture. Many onsen therefore still have a strict "no tattoos" rule. Some onsen allow tattooed bathers if their tattoos are small enough. Contact the onsen you want to visit in advance to find out if tattoos are a problem.
Men and women bathe separately
In the early days of onsen culture in Japan, men and women were allowed to bathe together. However, nowadays, almost all onsen have separate areas for men and women. Children are usually allowed in both areas.
Nudity is mandatory
No clothes are usually worn in the onsen. This also applies to bathing suits and shorts. If you are moving around in the indoor area, you can tie a towel around you.
Wash thoroughly before the Onsen
The onsen water should stay clean and pure. Therefore, it is considered appropriate for bathers to wash thoroughly before entering the onsen. There is usually a separate area for this, where soap and shampoos are also provided.
An Onsen is not a fun bath
Splashing, jumping or laughing loudly: All these things are extremely inappropriate in an onsen. Instead, bathers should relax and enjoy the special atmosphere in peace.
Towels do not belong in the water
Never submerge your towel in the water - even if it is completely clean. This is considered very impolite.
Hair must be tied up
If you have long hair, you should tie it up so that it does not fall into the water. This is perceived as "impure".
You should rest after bathing
Bathing in hot water can be very tiring. Therefore, you should not make any strenuous plans after bathing. Most onsen have a lounge area where you can buy drinks. The recommended drink after an onsen bath is fresh milk.
Effect
The water you bathe in at onsen usually has a very high content of minerals and other elements. Therefore, it is extremely beneficial to your health. Blood circulation is stimulated and skin aging is slowed down. Muscle tension is released by the warm water and the circulation is also boosted. In addition, the relaxing atmosphere that prevails in the onsen baths can provide mental peace and help with sleep disorders and depression.
Kanjis/Characters - The most important terms about the Onsen bath
- Hot spring /Onsen 温泉
- Water/ Oyu お湯
- Hot water from a natural source/ tennen onsen 天然温泉
- Bath /Ofuro お風呂
- Bath/ Nyūyoku 入浴
- Entrance ticket/ Nyūjōken 入場券
- Adult/ Otona 大人
- Student/ Shōgakusei 小学生
- Woman/ Onna 女
- Women's bath/ Onnayu 女湯
- Women's bath/ Himeyu 姫湯
- Man/ Otoko 男
- Men's bath/ Otokoyu 男湯
- Men's bath/ Tonoyu 殿湯
- Outdoor bath/ Rotenburo 露天風呂
- Shampoo/ Shampu シャンプー
- Soap/ Body soap ボディーソープ
- Rest room/ Kyūkeishitsu 休憩室
- Recommendation/ Osusume おすすめ
In which cities are the most famous Onsen located?
Beppu
Beppu is located on the southern main island of Kyūshū and is one of the oldest and most famous onsen towns in the Oita region. There are over 3,700 hot springs here, where 12 million guests bathe every year.
Atami
This region is also called the "hot sea" and has been known as an onsen area since the Edo period (1603-1868). Today, the various onsen around Atami are very popular with the rich and famous.
Hakone
This popular onsen town in Kanagawa Prefecture is visited by around 3 million visitors every year. People have been coming here since 1200 to stay in cozy ryokans and bathe in the hot springs.
Kinosaki
This resort town in the northern prefecture of Hyōgo on the Sea of Japan has been known for its onsen since the 8th century. In addition to the well-known bathhouses, the town itself also enchants with its wonderfully nostalgic flair.
Shimoda
There are a total of four hot springs here: Rendai-ji Onsen, Kawachi Onsen, Shirahama Onsen and Kannon Onsen.
Nozawa
This is not only one of the best ski regions in Japan, but also perfect for relaxing onsen baths. You will also enjoy excellent local specialties here.
Yudanaka
Yudanaka Onsen has been a popular place for hot springs for several hundred years. Meanwhile, it has become a relatively modern city.
Kusatsu
This is one of Japan's most popular onsen resorts. The spring water here is considered particularly healing. A special attraction is "Yumomi", where hot water is cooled with large wooden paddles.
Shirahama
There are not only hot springs here, but also beautiful beaches. Visitors from the Kansai region come here particularly often.
Dogo
This onsen is a real insider tip! The multi-story bathhouse is primarily visited by locals - but it also inspired the famous anime film "Spirited Away".
Yufuin
This charming onsen town is located in a valley surrounded by high mountains. From the outdoor pools of the onsen here you have a beautiful view of the landscape.
Onsen in Germany?
Your next trip to Japan isn't planned yet, but you still want to enjoy an onsen bath? Unfortunately, there are no truly authentic onsen in Germany - we don't have any volcanic springs after all. There are some bathhouses in the Japanese style that call themselves "onsen". But they also have to artificially heat the bath water. The closest comparison to onsen would be thermal baths. However, there are worlds of difference between Japanese and German bathing culture. So, unfortunately, you can only have a truly original onsen experience in Japan...
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