Things you should know before entering a hot spring: Etiquette and bathing methods when using a hot spring
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When you travel, you often stay at hot spring inns or accommodations with large communal baths. Because this is a place used by many people, we will provide you with instructions on how to use it and etiquette so that you can feel refreshed and refreshed.
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[Suimeikan] was established in 1933 as a hot spring inn in [Gero Onsen], one of Japan's top three hot springs. We offer heartfelt hospitality to soothe your daily fatigue. You can enjoy Gero Onsen, which is famous for its skin-beautifying effects, in three large public baths with different tastes. Please enjoy the large observation bath overlooking the hot spring town of Gero and the mountains of Hida, the large bath with a sauna with the scent of cypress, and the open-air bath with an indoor bath as if you were touring the hot springs. As a museum that values Japanese culture, we also have a Japanese garden, an authentic Noh stage, a tea room, and other works of art by famous artists on display. We also have a pool, athletic gym, beauty salon, and bar. For dinner, you can choose from three types: Japanese Kaiseki, French, and Chinese. There is also a plan where you can enjoy Hida's specialty "Hida beef". In addition to staying in Japanese-style rooms where you can feel the Japanese tradition, we also have rooms with beds. Guests visiting from other countries can also feel safe and relaxed. Please spend a blissful time with the heartfelt hospitality of the long-established Japanese inn [Suimeikan].
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Table of Contents
- Please use hot spring facilities with care as they are used by many people.
- How to enter a hot spring
- Step 1: Take off your clothes in the dressing room
- Step 2: When you enter the bathroom, first pour hot water over yourself.
- Step 3: Precautions when bathing in a public bath
- The recommended bath time is three times a day, until your forehead becomes sweaty.
- Step 4: After bathing, dry your body with a towel.
- Step 5: Get dressed and leave the dressing room
- Step 6: Don't forget to stay hydrated!
- Other things to be aware of
- lastly
- If you want to enjoy hot springs in Gifu Prefecture, we recommend Gero Onsen Suimeikan!
Please use hot spring facilities with care as they are used by many people.
When traveling to various parts of Japan, you will likely have many opportunities to use public baths. However, some people may be unsure of the proper etiquette and bathing procedures. In this article, ryokan staff will introduce bathing procedures so that you too can enjoy a comfortable stay!
We understand that those traveling to Japan from abroad may be particularly unfamiliar with the area, so we encourage you to take a look at this information before traveling.
How to enter a hot spring
Step 1: Take off your clothes in the dressing room
Step 2: When you enter the bathroom, first pour hot water over yourself
Step 3: Take a bath in the bathhouse
Step 4: Dry yourself off with a towel before going to the changing room.
Step 5: Get dressed and leave the dressing room
Step 6: Hydrate
Step 1: Take off your clothes in the dressing room
1. Take off your shoes and slippers when entering the changing room
While you will likely be wearing shoes or the facility's slippers inside the building, you should remove your shoes at the entrance when entering the changing room. The bath is a place to cleanse your body, so please keep the changing room clean as well.
2. Fold your clothes after you take them off
Fold your clothes neatly so that they do not hang out from the laundry basket or shelf. Keeping the inside of the basket organized will make it more comfortable for you to use and will also help prevent you from forgetting things.
3. Bring a face towel to the bathroom
Some facilities provide towels. If you are going to take one to the bathroom, choose a face towel (the smaller towel). Bath towels (the larger towels) are used after you get out of the bath, so do not take them to the bathroom.
Step 2: When you enter the bathroom, first pour hot water over yourself.
1. When you enter the bathroom, the first thing you should do is pour water over yourself.
"Kakeyu" means pouring hot spring water into a bucket and pouring it over your body before entering the bathtub. This helps to prevent your body from being surprised by suddenly immersed in hot water. It also helps to remove sweat and dirt, preventing the bath water from becoming dirty.
Once your body is warm enough, you're ready to go.
It is considered good manners to wash off sweat and dirt from the lower half of your body before getting in the bath. Otherwise, just pour hot water over yourself thoroughly to wash away any dirt.
2. Be considerate of those around you
Many people find it unpleasant to be splashed with water by others, so when washing yourself, make sure to check whether there are people around you and rinse yourself gently.
Always sit down when using the shower. If you stand, the water will splash on those around you.
3. The used area will return to its original shape
Thoroughly wash any equipment you have used, such as buckets, chairs, and showers, and return them to their original state and location. Shared spaces and items used by many people should be used in a way that makes them comfortable for the next person to use.
When washing your hair, pick up any hair that falls off and throw it in the trash.
Step 3: Precautions when bathing in a public bath
1. Tie up long hair
If you have long hair, we recommend tying it up with a rubber band or wrapping it in a towel.
It is unsanitary to have hair in the bathtub, and some people find it uncomfortable.
2. Don't put towels in the bathtub
While it's common to use a towel to cover yourself when bathing, be careful not to let the towel get in the bathtub, as this can introduce dirt and lint into the bath.
Also, many hot spring facilities do not allow swimsuits, so we recommend checking in advance.
3. Don't swim in the bathtub
Since many people use the large public baths, please do not run around in the bathroom or swim in the tub.
The bathroom is slippery and can cause injuries.
The recommended bath time is three times a day, until your forehead becomes sweaty.
Hot springs are thought to be good for the body, but in fact they can be quite taxing on the body. Just like medicine, if you bathe for an appropriate amount of time and frequency, it will have the appropriate effects on your body!
We recommend bathing once a day, or at most three times a day. It's OK if your forehead becomes sweaty after one bath. If you want to relax and relieve fatigue, we recommend soaking in lukewarm water for about 15 minutes.
Step 4: After bathing, dry your body with a towel.
1. Wipe yourself thoroughly before returning to the changing room
After enjoying the hot spring, wipe off your body before heading to the changing room. It's okay to wipe off so that water doesn't drip off.
Just like the bathroom, if the changing room is wet, there is a risk of slipping and falling. In this case, you can use the face towel that you brought into the bathroom.
Do not bring bath towels into the bathroom. When you return to the dressing room, dry yourself off with a bath towel.
2. Keep your voice down
Please refrain from talking loudly in the bathroom or changing room. Remember that the public bath is a shared space.
It's not that talking is bad, so just be mindful of your voice volume and have fun.
Step 5: Get dressed and leave the dressing room
Your mind and body may be so relaxed that you forget something. Before leaving the changing room, check the locker or basket you used to make sure you haven't left anything behind. Since it is a public facility, don't forget to get dressed. Make sure you are well-dressed before leaving the room. Since it is a rare opportunity, we recommend wearing the yukata provided by the inn where you are staying.
Step 6: Don't forget to stay hydrated!
Be careful not to get hot water!
"Yuusho" refers to the state of being exhausted and tired after bathing for a long time. This is also known as dehydration. Be sure to drink fluids frequently and take breaks. If you are not used to bathing in hot springs, you may sweat more than you think. We recommend drinking one or two glasses of water after enjoying the hot springs.
Alcoholic drinks increase your urine output, which can lead to dehydration, so be careful!
Other things to be aware of
1. About tattoos
Generally, many Japanese inns and hotels refuse to allow guests with tattoos to enter their public baths. Some places may allow tattoos if they are small and can be easily hidden, so we recommend that you check with the hotel you plan to stay at beforehand.
Alternatively, if the bath has a private bath available, you can use it without hesitation.
2. Refrain from taking photos
Since you are going on a special hot spring trip, we understand the desire to take lots of photos to commemorate your trip. However, large public baths are often used by other people and are a place where you have to take off your clothes. Most facilities prohibit photography.
lastly
What did you think?
What's important is that you and those around you can use the facility comfortably. If you know the basics of etiquette, you won't be embarrassed or have unpleasant experiences. We hope you'll keep this in mind so that you can enjoy your trip to your heart's content and feel refreshed.
We hope your trip will be a special memory.
If you want to enjoy hot springs in Gifu Prefecture, we recommend Gero Onsen Suimeikan!
Our hotel has three types of large hot spring baths. You can enjoy bathing in the hot springs without leaving the hotel. We also have private baths, which were mentioned in the article, so people with tattoos and those who want to enjoy the hot springs with their families can feel at ease.
*There is a fee to use the private baths at Suimeikan.
You can read an article summarizing Suimeikan here.
Click here to learn more about Gero Onsen in Gifu Prefecture, one of Japan's three most famous hot springs.
[Suimeikan] was established in 1933 as a hot spring inn in [Gero Onsen], one of Japan's top three hot springs. We offer heartfelt hospitality to soothe your daily fatigue. You can enjoy Gero Onsen, which is famous for its skin-beautifying effects, in three large public baths with different tastes. Please enjoy the large observation bath overlooking the hot spring town of Gero and the mountains of Hida, the large bath with a sauna with the scent of cypress, and the open-air bath with an indoor bath as if you were touring the hot springs. As a museum that values Japanese culture, we also have a Japanese garden, an authentic Noh stage, a tea room, and other works of art by famous artists on display. We also have a pool, athletic gym, beauty salon, and bar. For dinner, you can choose from three types: Japanese Kaiseki, French, and Chinese. There is also a plan where you can enjoy Hida's specialty "Hida beef". In addition to staying in Japanese-style rooms where you can feel the Japanese tradition, we also have rooms with beds. Guests visiting from other countries can also feel safe and relaxed. Please spend a blissful time with the heartfelt hospitality of the long-established Japanese inn [Suimeikan].
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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