Onsen articles

N4 Onsen baths · 4 passages

温泉おんせん種類しゅるい

Types of onsen baths

Discover indoor and outdoor baths, learn how private baths work, and find out how to enjoy a relaxing foot bath while exploring an onsen town. Select an underlined word for its reading and meaning.

  • 内湯うちゆ

    Indoor baths

    Vivid illustration of a wooden indoor onsen with a rectangular bath, a washing area, and windows overlooking a green Japanese garden.

    建物たてものなかある温泉おんせん風呂ふろです旅館りょかんホテルなどおおあめかぜはいれますさむでもそとないで温泉おんせんたのしめるので便利べんりですほかきゃくさん使つか内湯うちゆはいまえからだあらいましょう

    An indoor bath is a hot spring bath inside a building. They are common in traditional inns and hotels, and you can bathe without worrying about rain or wind. They are convenient because you can enjoy the hot springs without going outside, even on cold days. When using an indoor bath shared with other guests, wash your body before entering the water.

  • 露天風呂ろてんぶろ

    Outdoor baths

    Vivid illustration of a steaming outdoor stone bath with red and orange maple trees, a lantern, distant mountains, and a wooden shelter.

    建物たてものそとある風呂ふろです旅館りょかんにわなどありそと空気くうきかんじながらたのしめますはるさくらあきあかくなったえるところあります屋根やねある露天風呂ろてんぶろあるのであめでもはいれる場合ばあいあります風呂ふろまわいしゆかぬれているのでゆっくりあるきましょう

    An outdoor bath is a bath outside a building. They can be found in places such as the gardens of traditional inns, where you can enjoy the scenery while feeling the fresh air. At some places, you can see cherry blossoms in spring and red leaves in autumn. Some outdoor baths have roofs, so you may be able to use them even on rainy days. The stones and floors around the bath are wet, so walk slowly.

  • 貸切風呂かしきりぶろ

    Private baths

    Vivid illustration of a secluded private onsen with a round ceramic tub, a washing area, and a lush green courtyard.

    自分じぶん一緒いっしょひとだけ使つかえる風呂ふろです旅館りょかんなどあり家族かぞく友達ともだちゆっくり温泉おんせんたのしめますほかきゃくさん一緒いっしょはいひと便利べんりです必要ひつようところべつかかるところあるので受付うけつけしましょう使つかえる時間じかんまっている場合ばあい時間じかんまもりましょう

    A private bath is a bath that only you or the people accompanying you can use. They are available at traditional inns and similar places, where you can enjoy a relaxing hot spring bath with family or friends. They are also convenient for people who feel uncomfortable bathing with other guests. Some places require a reservation or charge an additional fee, so check at reception. If there is a set bathing time, be sure to keep to it.

  • 足湯あしゆ

    Foot baths

    Vivid illustration of two visitors soaking their feet beneath a wooden shelter beside a traditional Japanese onsen-town street.

    あしだけ温泉おんせんれて風呂ふろです温泉おんせんまちえきちかなどありますくつ靴下くつしたげばふくたままはいれるので便利べんりですまちあるいているすわってやすみながらたのしめますあしふくためタオルっていくいいでしょう

    A foot bath is a bath where you warm up by putting only your feet in hot spring water. They can be found in onsen towns and near train stations. They are convenient because you can use them with your clothes on after taking off your shoes and socks. While walking around town, you can sit down, rest, and enjoy a foot bath along the way. It is a good idea to bring a towel to dry your feet.

Study list · 12 words

Key vocabulary

Select any underlined word in the reading to see its picture and definition and hear its pronunciation. Select any row in the list or a speaker button in the grid to listen again. Swipe the table sideways to see all columns.

Japanese Reading Meaning
内湯うちゆAn indoor hot spring bath inside a building.
気にしないできにしないでWithout worrying about; without being bothered by. Here, without worrying about rain or wind.
露天風呂ろてんぶろAn open-air bath outside a building.
景色けしきScenery; the view around you.
貸切風呂かしきりぶろA bath reserved for you and your group to use privately.
苦手にがてUncomfortable with; not good at something. Here, feeling uncomfortable bathing with other guests.
予約よやくA reservation; booking something in advance.
料金りょうきんA fee; the amount charged for using a service.
確認かくにんChecking; confirmation. 確認する means to check or confirm information.
足湯あしゆA foot bath; a bath for soaking only your feet.
温まるあたたまるTo become warm; to warm up. Here, warming your body by soaking your feet.
途中とちゅうOn the way; partway through an activity. Here, during a walk around town.

温泉の種類 · 12 words

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