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Onsen etiquette

The basic steps, summarized in our own words from official tourism sources.

Undress fully in the changing room, wash your whole body at the shower stations before you get in, keep your small towel and your hair out of the water, stay quiet, and never take photos in the bath. These are the points the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) stresses.1

What do you do before getting into an onsen?

Take off your shoes where indicated, then undress completely in the changing room — onsen bathing is normally done naked, so swimwear stays with your clothes.1 Put clothes and valuables in a locker or basket.2 At the washing stations, wash and rinse your body and hair thoroughly with soap and shampoo before entering the bath, and pour some hot water over yourself first to get used to the temperature.1

What do you do with the small towel?

You can use it to cover yourself while walking to the bath, but it does not go into the water. Fold it and put it on your head or on the edge of the bath.1

What about long hair?

Tie it up or wrap it so it stays out of the water; the bath water is meant to stay clean.1

How should you behave in the bath?

  • Speak quietly, and don’t swim or splash.1
  • Leave your phone outside. Photos in the bathing area are not allowed, to protect other bathers’ privacy.1
  • Don’t bring food or drink into the bath.2

How long should you stay in, and is alcohol OK?

Take it slowly and don’t stay in too long; if you feel too hot, get out and drink some cool water. Avoid alcohol before bathing.1 JNTO’s tattoo-and-etiquette article suggests around 30 minutes at most.2

Do you need to shower after the onsen?

It is up to you; JNTO describes rinsing off afterwards as a personal preference.1

Is sento etiquette different?

A sento is a neighbourhood public bathhouse. The same basic manners apply. The Tokyo Sento Association’s English guide adds a few practical points: put your shoes in the shoe locker, pay at the counter, take your locker key into the bath with you, and dry off before going back into the changing room. It says most bathhouses sell towels, soap and shampoo, and some now provide shampoo and soap free — so check with the one you plan to visit. It also asks you not to bring valuables.3

What is different at Beppu’s local public baths?

Beppu City’s official tourism site describes some local customs at its neighbourhood baths: greet the other bathers when you come in and when you leave, scoop hot water over yourself before getting in, don’t add cold water on your own — ask the locals first — and don’t sit on the edge of the tub. Many of these baths have no showers, soap, shampoo or towels, so bring your own.4 See Beppu onsen and their tattoo rules.

What if you have tattoos?

Check the facility’s tattoo policy in advance. JNTO suggests choosing a tattoo-friendly facility or a private bath, and notes that cover sheets generally suit only very small tattoos.1 See onsen tattoo rules, our table of official policies and private onsen.

Sources

  1. How to Best Enjoy Japan’s Onsen — Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Checked 9 Oct 2026.
  2. Onsen Hot Springs — On Tattoos and Etiquette — Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), 20 June 2024. Checked 9 Oct 2026.
  3. Tokyo Sento Association: Q&A and “How to enjoy sento” (English) — Tokyo Sento Association (東京都公衆浴場業生活衛生同業組合). Checked 9 Oct 2026.
  4. Manners at Beppu’s public baths — Beppu City Official Tourism Site. Checked 9 Oct 2026.

Individual facilities may have extra rules. Their own rules always take priority. How we check