Are Japanese onsen sanitary?

It's good manners to avoid using onsens during menstruation, particularly on heavy flow days, even when using a tampon. Onsens, like pools in Japan, do not use powerful disinfectants, so it's not very sanitary for anyone involved.

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Is there chlorine in Japanese onsen?

An increasing number of facilities use chlorine to disinfect their bath water, especially modern facilities and facilities that do not enjoy large amounts of fresh onsen water. The chlorine unfortunately leaves a rather undesirable smell and feel in the water.

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Do you wash after onsen?

After bathing:

It is recommended that you do not shower after bathing in an onsen, as rinsing your body will weaken the minerals' healing effects.

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Is Japanese onsen safe?

You should avoid bathing in an onsen if you have certain symptoms depending on the quality of the spring water. Be aware of the contraindications according to the quality of the spring water. if you are elderly and have dry skin. Your symptoms may become worse depending on the quality of the spring water.

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What do you wear to private onsen?

No Clothes Allowed

They are somewhat sacred places. Clothes and bathing suits can bring dirt and soap into the hot spring waters from outside and are, therefore, considered unhygienic. Instead of bathing suits, people use small towels to hide their private parts whilst manoeuvring the hot spring baths.

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Japanese Onsen Etiquette Explained | All rules

44 related questions found

How sanitary are onsens?

It's good manners to avoid using onsens during menstruation, particularly on heavy flow days, even when using a tampon. Onsens, like pools in Japan, do not use powerful disinfectants, so it's not very sanitary for anyone involved.

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Can I use tampon in onsen?

For those opting for tampons, make sure that the string is not clearly visible and change it as soon as you leave the onsen. Wash yourself well and refrain from using another tampon right away — give yourself enough time to cool down first.

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Do onsens have bacteria?

Although millions of Japanese bathe in onsen every year with few noticeable side effects, there are still potential side effects to onsen usage, such as aggravating high blood pressure or heart disease. Legionella bacteria have been found in some onsen with poor sanitation.

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What not to do in an onsen?

submerge your face or head, it is considered unclean. yell or speak loudly, onsen are for relaxing. run, the stone floors are usually slippery when wet. swim or splash around in the bath, no matter how tempting.

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How long should you sit in an onsen?

Firstly, don't stay in the onsen for too long - generally speaking 30-40 minutes total is enough time to reap the benefits of the mineral rich water and not overdo it. Take breaks when you need to by resting on the edge out of the heat of the water and if the onsen is especially hot, don't push yourself.

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Do people shave before going to onsen?

In general, it is acceptable for men to shave in the shower area of the onsen, and razors are even provided. For women, it is not generally acceptable to shave in the onsen as this is seen as an activity that should be done privately. Japan is still a bit behind the times in gender equality.

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Should I go to onsen or massage first?

Additionally, spending time in the onsen is the perfect way to loosen up your muscles before your massage, so it is as effective as possible in promoting relaxation. You should plan to spend no more than an hour in the onsen.

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Do you bring your own towel to onsen?

You can bring your own bath towel, though some onsens provide towels or let you rent one.

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What are the risks of onsen?

You can feel nausea after the long bathing such as discomfortness, insomnia, digestive symptoms, or dermatitis for 3 days or a week after Onsen. When you feel such, it is necessary to stop bathing or to decrease the frequency, and take rest for recovery.

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Why can't you have tattoos in an onsen?

This social aspect, however, led many onsen and sento to prohibit tattooed guests. The Japanese taboo toward tattoos stems from their association with members of Japanese organized crime. Gangsters in Japan are typically heavily tattooed, and body art in Japan came to be associated with unsavory characters.

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Can you stay overnight in onsen?

As a daytripper or overnight guest, you can rent a private onsen room. Some of their rooms have beds, which is perfect for those who want to sleep on one.

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Do onsen smell bad?

Some onsen have a strong sulfuric smell while others have a weaker one but, in general, the milkier the water, the stronger the sulfuric smell.

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Can I wear a swimsuit in a private onsen?

Although swimsuits are allowed in a select few onsen, this is very rare. In most onsen, you take off all your clothes in the dressing room. Clothing and garments that are worn outside are considered sullied and should never be brought into an onsen. Nudity is a must for taking an onsen.

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Should you shower before onsen?

Shower before you bathe.

To this end, every onsen has a row of showers around the outside of the bath. Soap, shampoo and conditioner are usually provided (though you can bring your own if you prefer), and you are expected to sit down on one of the stools provided while you wash.

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Are hot springs full of bacteria?

Thermophilic bacteria are those that thrive within high temperatures, usually between 45 and 80 C (113 and 176F) and are found in environments such as hot springs, peat bogs, and near deep-sea hydrothermal vents. One type of "hyperthermophile", Methanopyrus kandleri, can even survive temperatures up to 122°C.

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Why can't you wear clothes in onsen?

In Japan, clothing, towels, and any other garments are considered sullied or “dirty” and should never, ever be brought into an onsen. Nudity is expressly required, but really, it's no big deal. If you've ever had to shower in gym class (who hasn't?), nudity in an onsen is much less embarrassing.

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Are onsens separated by gender?

The Japanese have perfected the art of onsen, or hot spring baths, for centuries. Traditionally, men and women would bathe together in the same facility, but these days the baths are segregated by gender. Today, konyoku (mixed-gender onsen) are hard to find, with places like Tokyo having bans on such establishments.

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Are periods taboo in Japan?

“Talking about menstruation used to be a taboo subject. But social recognition is changing,” said an official from a sanitary product maker that offers seminars on the issue. The topic is being broached more regularly due to organizations wanting to help women navigate their lives around their cycles.

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Can you go to onsen as a couple?

So the question is “How can I enjoy an authentic Japanese onsen leisurely with my boyfriend/girlfriend?” Our recommendation is a “couple onsen.” Many onsen ryokan in Japan have guest rooms with private onsens, or onsens outside guest rooms for you to charter. In both cases, your privacy will be fully protected.

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Why do Japanese drink milk after onsen?

The ritual of drinking milk after Onsen bathing developed in Japan over fifty years ago, when the majority of the population were using Sento or Onsen facilities instead of home baths. After bathing, rehydration is not only necessary, but an enjoyable part of the Onsen experience.

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