How to Enjoy Japanese Onsen as a Couple

Visiting onsen baths can be a daunting experience for first time visitors to Japan. It’s understandable, given that sharing a bath among strangers is not a part of every culture. But it is also a great way to see a different side of Japan. So, are there any ways to enjoy them without starting at the deep end? Of course, the answer is yes!

Here, after going over the onsen basics, we will show you some different ways that you can get used to onsen and enjoy a taste of the culture without baring everything to people you don’t know. Onsen can be a great way to relax after a long day of travelling.

What is an Onsen?

First, let’s understand the basics of onsen. The word “onsen” in Japanese means “hot springs”, and it can refer both to a hot spring area, like Jigokudani Onsen, or to the baths themselves.

As well as onsen baths, Japan also has a lot of sento. While onsen baths contain hot spring waters and are heated naturally, sento are regular public baths that used heated tap water. For a bath to be considered an onsen in Japan, it must be from a hot spring over 25℃, and it must contain a certain amount of minerals. Many onsen will proudly display their onsen certificate that explains what minerals can be found in their baths.

Onsen baths can come in many different forms. Some places will be like a spa and resort hotel, with multiple baths as well as other facilities for relaxation. Others, in more rural areas, might be a very simple single bath where there is nothing else to be found. But most are somewhere in between, with a few different types of baths, and perhaps a sauna. These are large, shared baths, but usually split between men and women.

We will take a look at some of the different types of baths to visit with your partner below.

Onsen Etiquette

Before you go rushing off to an onsen though, there are a few things you should know.

Firstly, take off all your clothes in the changing room before entering the bath area. Don’t enter wearing a towel or bathing suit either. It is rude to go in wearing anything!

Take a shower before you enter the baths, and tie up your hair or put it in a bathing cap.

If visiting with others, you can chat, but be mindful of others around you. Do not splash or play around in the water.

If visiting with a partner, keep a regular distance from them. Public displays of affection are highly, highly frowned upon here. It is best not to touch at all, especially kissing. This will make others very uncomfortable regardless of the location (same-sex or mixed baths).

Now that you’re ready, let’s dip our toes into onsen culture.

Ashiyu - Foot Baths

The easiest way to start is by finding an area with “ashiyu”, which are foot baths.

You can sometimes find foot baths at tourist centres near hiking routes to rest your feet after a lot of walking. Otherwise, towns known for hot springs are quite likely to have a foot bath somewhere in the town or outside of a facility.

Foot baths are usually free to use, and available publicly. So, all you need to do is remove your socks and shoes and rest your weary feet!

Places like Kinugawa and Arashiyama, which are known for their hot springs, have outdoor foot baths.

Get a Hotel Room with a Private Onsen

If you want to have a full-body bath without sharing it with others, the next level is to get a hotel room with your own private bath.

The best way to find a traditional style bath is to go to an onsen ryokan. “Ryokan” means traditional Japanese inn. However, these don’t always have baths with the rooms, and may only have shared baths. You’ll have to do some hunting or look for onsen hotels.

Rooms with a private bath may have a traditional hinoki cypress bath, or even an outdoor bath, called a rotenburo.

This is also a good option for those with tattoos.

Use a Private or Family Onsen

But rooms with their own private baths can be quite expensive, and in some regions, hard to find. If you can’t find one that suits you, you can try finding out if a nearby onsen or onsen ryokan has a private rental bath.

These baths are either called kashikiri furo (private rental bath) or kazoku buro (family rental baths).

Normally, you can have a private bath for an hourly fee, and you can use the bath with your family, friends, or partner. This way, you can experience the larger baths but without sharing it with others. Often, payment for these private baths also gives you access to the main shared baths and facilities as well, so if you work up the courage then give it a go!

Use a Mixed Onsen

Most onsen are separated for men and women. Sometimes, there are two bathing areas, and they switch between men-only and women-only in the mornings and evenings, or on alternating days.

But some onsen are mixed, or have mixed areas. This is called “konyoku” (mixed baths). This is not particularly common, but when it is available, they may ask you to enter in your bathing suit, or may allow people to enter with a towel wrapped around them if they feel uncomfortable. This all varies by the facility.

If you manage to find one of these, it means you can enjoy the onsen together even if your partner is of the opposite sex.

Explore Onsen Around Japan

Whether you want to try out one of the bath types we’ve looked at, or you want to take the plunge and visit a fully public shared onsen, here are some areas known as onsen regions:

• Kusatsu, Gunma
• Kinugawa, Tochigi
• Hakone, Kanagawa
• Beppu, Oita
• Atami, Izu
• Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
• Kinosaki, Hyogo
• Kurokawa, Kumamoto
• Shibu, Nagano
• Unazuki, Toyama
• Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata

Are you tattooed? Here’s how to enjoy hot springs in Japan.

And if you’re onsen hopping while visiting Japan for a special occasion with your partner and still haven’t decided where to go, here are some ideas for a romantic Japan getaway!