Wrap the Yukata properly The hotel staff will always fold the Yukata correctly when they leave it in your room. Take note of the folding direction so you can get the Japanese onsen etiquette correct. Wear your underwear underneath the Yukata and nothing else.
You can wear a light undergarment (such as a plain t-shirt and shorts) underneath the yukata. You'll need a koshihimo or two (or you can use a length of ribbon instead), to tie the yukata in place, and an obi, or any type of belt or cord, to finish the look.
As I mentioned at the beginning, most onsen ryokan have yukata prepared for guests to use as sleepwear and for relaxing around the inn. You can even wear the ryokan yukata while walking around town. That means these robes are used all year round, not just in summer!
During summer and hot spring, you do not need a lot of clothing beneath a yukata. Men can wear tank tops or t-shirts together with pair of shorts underneath. On the Other Hand – Women can wear camisoles or t-shirts with shorts inside a yukata. A light-colored V-necked T-shirt and light-colored shorts are preferred.
Onsen Etiquette Before Entering the Onsen
When entering a hot spring, please take off all clothing, including underwear. It is against Japanese custom to enter the water whilst wearing any items of clothing.
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.
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.
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.
If you plan on wearing a kimono, it's important to know what kind of bra will be the best for that outfit. A kimono-style bra should work well with your clothing choice and provide enough coverage so as not to have any chance in showing through your top layer.
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.
Avoid bathing in an onsen in the following cases. If you have chronic bronchitis and fever or difficulty in breathing. If you have stable angina and chest pain becomes frequent. Bathing may cause serious problems with dehydration or thrombosis.
Nudity in an onsen is not embarrassing at all, in fact you will probably feel more embarrassed being the only one wearing a bathing suit. If you feel uncomfortable being naked, you can use your small towel to hide your private parts when you are moving from dressing room to bathing area and back again.
Onsen Etiquette
If you have any tattoos or body piercings, it is possible that you won't be allowed to enter. Be sure to remove any piercings (ears are okay) and conceal any ink.
Most onsens will have a change room for undressing and baskets are generally provided to leave your clothes in. Remove jewellery and other accessories such as watches and glasses as the mineral rich water can discolour these.
In short, you will not be viewed as 'stealing' Japanese culture if you wear a kimono and you are respectful when doing so. In fact, many Japanese would be pleased to see you wear a kimono as it demonstrates your passion for Japanese culture.
Japan. Japan is a country in East Asia that is known for its unique culture and customs. One aspect of this culture has always been beauty and fashion standards, which includes the surprising fact that it is very common for women to not wear bras, even in public.
Onsen etiquette
Take a shower to cleanse yourself before bathing. Most onsens provide soap and shampoo for you to use. If not, you have to buy some. It's best not to eat before bathing in the onsen, but you need to drink a lot of water before and after your onsen bath.
Onsen time varies from person to person– some people can spend up to an hour soaking in the hot water, others feel that a quick 10-minute dip is more than enough. Don't feel under pressure to stay in the onsen too long, or you could do yourself more harm than good.
Although onsen etiquette does not prohibit drinking alcohol before entering a hot spring, let alone during the experience, it can be hazardous; consuming spirits before entering a hot spring—let alone during the experience—increases the risk of thrombosis.
Doctors do not recommend using onsen at all while menstruating. But, if you absolutely cannot avoid it, use a tampon. Even if it's a “light” day, nobody wants blood or bodily fluids floating around in the shared bath water. Using a tampon will also help protect against water entering through your cervical opening.
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.
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.
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.