While most of the rules for bathing at an onsen or sento in Japan are common sense, a rudimentary understanding of the signs will enhance the experience.
I totally agree. This is classic. I love it! By injecting a little sarcasm into the delivery, you are absolutely right that the messaging is much more likely to stick. It reminds me of how British Airlines uses sarcasm and a bunch of British celebrities to communicate the main messages of the safety video before takeoff. Thanks for sharing!
You make a very important and correct point. Whether you (a foreigner) think you are being watched/behaviorally checked out or not, you are. I always fully wash before bath, even shampoo etc and super carefully rinse. I also am careful to replace seats and tubs to where I found them and to dry off before going back out into the changing room.
Go 150% if a foreigner because the often incorrect assumption is you’ll go 30 and mess everything up.
Thank you for reading and sharing your perspective. We are 100% aligned.
By the way, I have heard that "back in the day" (before soap), it was apparently the norm to simply pour hot water over your body before taking a bath. But we're talking about a long time ago. So I am with you. It's always better to give 150%, not only for the sake of getting clean (with soap, etc.) before taking a bath, but also for the greater good of the reputation of all foreigners.
Thanks for the positive feedback. Sorry, though, for the rule about no food - specifically ice-cream- in the bath! We will direct hungry bathers to the Conbini Boys Substack to satisfy their cravings after taking a long soak!
Good catch! Thank you for your keen eye. While I may have missed a spot, I have tried to correct this error. Thanks also for your very polite way of giving feedback.
I Still remember you telling me all the rules!!! I braved this on my own…. And tried to talk some of the American women into it, but, nope!! Their loss🤣
During a three-month trip to Mount Fuji to film a TV show, I stayed in a beautiful hotel, and we had our private Japanese bath in our suite! I was working a lot so I didn’t always get to enjoy it. But the days I did use it, I could’ve spent the whole day in there. I've always wanted to design one for our house. A little water sanctuary.
Of course, we can all make mistakes, but many don't have any intention of following rules or customs. The rule breaking then spills over to locals, and the customs that make a place what it is get lost.
Nice overview. Many Japanese unfortunately do not follow the rules, many times I see people just pour some water on themselves and jump into ofuro without washing. I do tell off people doing so in my local gym.
Thank you for reading and for your positive feedback. Yes, as you probably noticed, I mentioned the same observation in this article (towards the end). It's a strange phenomenon. However, for foreign visitors (both short and long term) it is best to just be "old school" and follow the rules to the letter, including washing thoroughly before soaking in the hot water baths.
Thank you for your vote of confidence. As Jean Racine said, "There are no secrets that time will not reveal." A trip to the onsen brings this platitude home!
The onsens should upgrade their signage to more humorous, like the Tokyo Metro did. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/3130032/Tokyo-Metro-signs-subway-etiquette.html%20target=
I totally agree. This is classic. I love it! By injecting a little sarcasm into the delivery, you are absolutely right that the messaging is much more likely to stick. It reminds me of how British Airlines uses sarcasm and a bunch of British celebrities to communicate the main messages of the safety video before takeoff. Thanks for sharing!
You make a very important and correct point. Whether you (a foreigner) think you are being watched/behaviorally checked out or not, you are. I always fully wash before bath, even shampoo etc and super carefully rinse. I also am careful to replace seats and tubs to where I found them and to dry off before going back out into the changing room.
Go 150% if a foreigner because the often incorrect assumption is you’ll go 30 and mess everything up.
Thank you for reading and sharing your perspective. We are 100% aligned.
By the way, I have heard that "back in the day" (before soap), it was apparently the norm to simply pour hot water over your body before taking a bath. But we're talking about a long time ago. So I am with you. It's always better to give 150%, not only for the sake of getting clean (with soap, etc.) before taking a bath, but also for the greater good of the reputation of all foreigners.
This is a nice guide!
Thanks for the positive feedback. Sorry, though, for the rule about no food - specifically ice-cream- in the bath! We will direct hungry bathers to the Conbini Boys Substack to satisfy their cravings after taking a long soak!
Meister. Miester would sound like ミースター 😉
Good catch! Thank you for your keen eye. While I may have missed a spot, I have tried to correct this error. Thanks also for your very polite way of giving feedback.
Excellent details. I agree that the best onsen are definitely out in the countryside. From the views, the style, the type of people that go.
We're on the same page!
I Still remember you telling me all the rules!!! I braved this on my own…. And tried to talk some of the American women into it, but, nope!! Their loss🤣
Yes, but maybe I should have added something about not showing up for dinner "commando" wearing nothing but a yukata!
Yukata Tim!!!
During a three-month trip to Mount Fuji to film a TV show, I stayed in a beautiful hotel, and we had our private Japanese bath in our suite! I was working a lot so I didn’t always get to enjoy it. But the days I did use it, I could’ve spent the whole day in there. I've always wanted to design one for our house. A little water sanctuary.
That sounds great! Yes, a private rotentburo is the ultimate way to travel in Japan, but it comes at a premium.
It was wonderful! I still rember it in blue and green tiles. I have no idea tge cost 😬 we didn't pay for it! I've lived a charmed life. ✨💞
It's hard to fathom why tourists to any country would not seek to assimilate with local customs. I consider that part of the travel experience.
Agreed, but navigating all of the rules could lead to an instance of an unintentional faux paus.
Of course, we can all make mistakes, but many don't have any intention of following rules or customs. The rule breaking then spills over to locals, and the customs that make a place what it is get lost.
Oh yes, now I see your point. Yes, it is best if everyone simply follows the rules to ensure that the experience is enjoyable for all.
Nice overview. Many Japanese unfortunately do not follow the rules, many times I see people just pour some water on themselves and jump into ofuro without washing. I do tell off people doing so in my local gym.
Thank you for reading and for your positive feedback. Yes, as you probably noticed, I mentioned the same observation in this article (towards the end). It's a strange phenomenon. However, for foreign visitors (both short and long term) it is best to just be "old school" and follow the rules to the letter, including washing thoroughly before soaking in the hot water baths.
Sure. I did notice you mentioned it and possible logic behind. Yes, gaijin should lead by example(:
Thank you for your vote of confidence. As Jean Racine said, "There are no secrets that time will not reveal." A trip to the onsen brings this platitude home!