はじめての温泉おんせん

Take off your shoes at the entrance, before stepping onto the raised floor. Put them in the 下駄箱げたばこ (shoe storage) and keep the key if there is one.

Check in and pay as directed. Some places use a ticket machine. Ask about towels if you have not brought your own: a small washing towel and a larger towel for drying.

A noren is a fabric doorway curtain. Read the signs before passing through: colors alone are not a reliable guide, and some facilities switch their baths.

Undress and put your clothes, phone and large towel in a locker or basket. Bring your small towel into the bathing area. Traditional shared baths are usually used without swimwear.

Keep your phone stored away. Do not take photos in the changing or bathing areas.

Gently pour warm water over your body to rinse and get used to the temperature. Some onsen have a dedicated basin and ladles; others use the washing area.

Rinse → wash → soak. 掛け湯 is the rinsing action, also used to label the station. It does not replace washing with soap.

Sit on a low stool and wash your body with soap. Use the shower or bucket without splashing others. Rinse off all soap and shampoo before going to the soaking bath.

Wash here, outside the shared bath. Rinse your stool and bucket after use.

Enter slowly and enjoy a quiet soak. Keep your towel and long hair out of the water. This is a bath for relaxing; do not swim or wash here.

Some onsen also have a 露天風呂ろてんぶろ (rotenburo), an open-air bath.

Before stepping back into the changing room, wipe water from your body with your small towel. Then use your large towel to dry fully and get dressed.

Keep the changing-room floor dry for the next person.

Once dressed, sit down, cool off and drink some water. For an optional post-bath treat, look for coffee milk at a vending machine, shop or reception counter, if available.