{"id":13103,"date":"2017-03-10T09:00:08","date_gmt":"2017-03-10T09:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=13103"},"modified":"2017-02-28T08:29:52","modified_gmt":"2017-02-28T08:29:52","slug":"hot-spring-bathing-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/10\/hot-spring-bathing-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Hot-spring bathing in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Hugh Cann is a tour leader for InsideJapan. He has lived in Hiroshima for over 15 years, so it&#8217;s safe to say he knows a fair bit about Japanese culture! Here is his beginner&#8217;s guide to\u00a0<em>onsen\u00a0<\/em>(hot-spring) bathing in Japan.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h1>Hot spring history<\/h1>\n<p>In ancient times, before there was much knowledge of health or medication, hot springs were a sacred place where people went to cure their injuries and diseases. Back\u00a0then, bathing not only meant washing the dirt from the physical body but also cleansing oneself of the spiritual grime of the mortal world. In the Edo period (1603\u20131868), people with diseases would\u00a0stay for weeks or more at hot-spring area waiting to be cured &#8211; so beginning the Japanese tradition of the hot-spring inn (<em>ryokan<\/em>).<\/p>\n<p>These days, though many still believe in the health-giving properties of hot springs, <em>onsen-<\/em>bathing has become more of a leisure experience,\u00a0playing a central role in the domestic tourism market.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to <em>onsen<\/em>, Japan also has\u00a0<em>sento<\/em>\u00a0bathhouses, which use artificially heated tap water rather than natural spring water. As more people acquired indoor plumbing, the popularity of <em>sento<\/em> has dwindled, though they are still a popular place for social gathering and relaxation. <em>Sento<\/em> differ from <em>onsen <\/em>in that\u00a0<em>o<\/em><em>nsen<\/em>\u00a0must contain at least one of 19 chemical elements, including radon and metabolic acid, and must have a natural temperature of 25 degrees or higher.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13188\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13188\" style=\"width: 1170px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13188\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/entrance-to-garden_21717313198_o.jpg\" alt=\"Geta sandals\" width=\"1170\" height=\"780\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/entrance-to-garden_21717313198_o.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/entrance-to-garden_21717313198_o-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/entrance-to-garden_21717313198_o-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/entrance-to-garden_21717313198_o-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/entrance-to-garden_21717313198_o-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/entrance-to-garden_21717313198_o-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/entrance-to-garden_21717313198_o-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/entrance-to-garden_21717313198_o-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/entrance-to-garden_21717313198_o-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/entrance-to-garden_21717313198_o-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13188\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wooden sandals in the entrance of a ryokan inn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1>Types of\u00a0<em>onsen<\/em><\/h1>\n<p>Japan is literally bubbling with natural hot springs (<em>onsen<\/em>), and\u00a0nearly every region of the country has its share of\u00a0springs and resort towns.\u00a0There are over 2,300 <em>onsen<\/em> throughput the country, some with waters gushing to the surface, others tapping subterranean sources more than 1,000 metres underground. The temperatures vary widely, from nearly 100\u00baC (211\u00baF) to as cool as 20\u00baC (68\u00baF).<\/p>\n<p>Hot-spring baths come in many varieties: indoors or outdoors; gender-separated or mixed; developed or undeveloped. Many hot-spring baths belong to traditional inns (<em>ryokan<\/em>), while others are bathhouses open to the public. An overnight stay at a hot spring <em>ryokan<\/em> is a unique and wonderful experience for visitors to Japan.<\/p>\n<p>There are 11 different categories of hot spring classified according to mineral composition, and each is thought to confer certain health benefits. Sulphur hot springs, such as those at Unzen, are thought to soften the skin and ease dermatological ailments. Meanwhile, alkaline soda hot springs such as those at Noboribetsu in Hokkaido form tiny bubbles on the skin and are thought to lower blood pressure by dilating the capillaries, while the rust-coloured, iron-rich hot springs of Naruko and Yoshino are said to be beneficial for anaemia.<\/p>\n<p>Among the many other types are acid and sulphate springs, supposedly effective for healing wounds (Zao Onsen is one example), radium springs for relief of rheumatism and digestive tract ailments (Yamanashi\u2019s Masutomi Onsen), and boric acid springs (Minoo Onsen in Osaka), which are reportedly good for eye diseases.<\/p>\n<p>Some hot spring waters are also thought to have beneficial properties when ingested. You can tell when this is the case from the drinking cups placed near the taps from which the waters flow.<\/p>\n<p>Whatever the local lore, however, it&#8217;s important\u00a0to note that the efficacy of hot springs has not been medically proven!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13194\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13194\" style=\"width: 1170px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13194\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Miscellanies-46.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1170\" height=\"875\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Miscellanies-46.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Miscellanies-46-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Miscellanies-46-768x574.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Miscellanies-46-1024x766.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Miscellanies-46-564x422.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Miscellanies-46-900x673.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Miscellanies-46-720x538.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Miscellanies-46-390x292.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Miscellanies-46-780x583.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Miscellanies-46-510x381.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13194\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Steaming pools packed with minerals<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1><em>Onsen\u00a0<\/em>etiquette<\/h1>\n<p>There are certain rules regarding hot-spring bathing to make the experience enjoyable for all users. First-timers might find the rules a little awkward at first, but remembering the adage \u201cwhen in Rome\u2026\u201d will make experience more enjoyable, relaxing and safe for you and everybody else.<\/p>\n<h2>Bathe in the buff<\/h2>\n<p>To begin with, bathers must completely disrobe. The Japanese consider using\u00a0towels or a swimsuit to bathe unhygienic. If you are put off by the idea of appearing naked in front of others, don&#8217;t despair &#8211; many inns have <em>kashikiri\u00a0<\/em>(private) baths available.<\/p>\n<h2>Tattoos<\/h2>\n<p>In\u00a0Japan, tattoos are still closely associated with the criminal world, and are banned from many <em>onsen<\/em>.\u00a0If you have a tattoo it is wise to check beforehand whether they are accepted at the hot spring you intend to visit. In many cases covering with waterproof bandage is acceptable.<\/p>\n<h2>Wash\u00a0before<\/h2>\n<p>Everyone shares the bathwater so it\u2019s important to to keep it clean. Japanese people always wash and rinse thoroughly before getting into the bath, and you should never take\u00a0your towel into the pool. Unlike the local pool in your hometown, jumping in, swimming, and any kind of horsing around is\u00a0frowned on.<\/p>\n<h2>Dry after<\/h2>\n<p>After you leave the bathroom, don\u2019t forget to towel off excess water before you return to the changing room.\u00a0 Dripping water onto the changing room floor makes it slippery and dangerous.<\/p>\n<h2>And lastly&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p>A couple of other pointers to remember are to avoid bathing after drinking alcohol, after playing energetic sports, or immediately before or after eating. It\u2019s also best not to bathe more than three times in one day. One 30-minute bath supposedly consumes the same amount of energy as running 1,000 meters at full speed, and its best to rest for a while to restore energy and replenish fluids after bathing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you&#8217;re interested in learning more about Japan&#8217;s hot spring culture, why not take a look at our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/04\/07\/the-best-onsen-hot-springs-in-japan\/\">favourite\u00a0<em>onsen\u00a0<\/em>in Japan<\/a> &#8211; or have a look at our excellent\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/17\/japanese-etiquette-101-how-to-onsen\/\">guide to bathing etiquette<\/a>?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F13103\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Hugh Cann is a tour leader for InsideJapan. He has lived in Hiroshima for over 15 years, so it&#8217;s safe to say he knows a fair bit about Japanese culture! Here is his beginner&#8217;s guide to\u00a0onsen\u00a0(hot-spring) bathing in Japan. Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2367],"tags":[1631,1720,1970,2692,3026],"class_list":["post-13103","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-japanese-culture-and-history","tag-hot-springs","tag-japanese-culture","tag-onsen","tag-hugh-cann","tag-bathing"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13103"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13103\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13222,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13103\/revisions\/13222"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13103"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13103"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}