Onsen are generally gender segregated, but sometimes you'll find old traditional onsen where there is mixed bathing (konyoku onsen) along with a women-only bath. Often with mixed bathing, women are provided with a towel-like dress to maintain decorum.
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.
Mixed-Gender, Coed, or the Konyoku is a term described to onsens that do not separate men and women. A little new and a bit uncomfortable to beginner hot spring enthusiasts, but the practice of men and women bathing together was no big deal in the early times. Konyoku, though not common, still exists in Japan.
Couple onsens are special spaces where the two of you would never be disturbed by other people. Private onsens in guest rooms, in particular, let you spend time with your sweetheart enjoying the hot spring all day long, without the need to go out the door. The experience is largely different from normal dates.
Do NOT bathe in an onsen if you are at the active stage of a disease (especially if you have a fever); Onsen bathing imposes a large burden on your body, so avoid bathing in an onsen when you are weak and tired as the symptoms may become worse.
A handful of onsen and sento advertise being tattoo-friendly on a sign or on their website, but such facilities are rare. More often, facilities will have a sign showing that they forbid tattoos, making it clear which ones to avoid. If you don't see a sign and you're still in doubt, ask if tattoos are allowed.
First, there is no onsen age-limit. However, in regards to newborns, the hygienic aspect of the public bath house remains a concern. For that reason, it's better to wait a month to two months before their debut. Second, the hot spring's components make the floors slippery, so tread carefully!
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.
So please don't concern yourself with being embarrassed in an onsen. It is a great experience that is both relaxing and exhilarating. Also, there is no reason to fear tourists or Japanese. Really, everyone inside the onsen doesn't care at all!
“Illicit and unauthorised photography and filming is, of course, prohibited in all onsen and similar establishments,” he said. “But new technology, such as miniaturisation of cameras, makes it quite difficult to eradicate entirely.”
Mixed-bathing was banned in Tokyo around the turn of the 19th century and has remained so ever since. Still, there are a few found outside of the city in the central region of Kanto that make for a perfect day trip to Gunma or Tochigi.
Yes, in Japan parents and children bath together fully naked. And that's culturally perfectly normal. From a Japanese perspective, together tub-time is good for family bonding.
No clothes or bathing suits are allowed in the onsen bathing areas. People try hard to preserve the cleanliness of onsen. 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.
Australian onsens
In New South Wales, the Japanese Bath House at South Bowenfels in the Blue Mountains is meticulously authentic - not to mention an excellent day trip.
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.
First of all, why people with tattoos cannot take onsen? This is because there is recognition in Japan from historical background that tattoo, so-called Irezumi in Japan, is “something anti-social people get” or “something members of illegal organization such as gangsters get.”
A: The answer differs for men and women. 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.
Rule #2: You must be completely naked
In Japan, clothing, towels, and any other garments are considered sullied or “dirty” and should never, ever be brought into an onsen.
It is recommended that you do not shower after bathing in an onsen, as rinsing your body will weaken the minerals' healing effects. However, taking a quick cold shower or bath upon leaving the bath, which has its own health benefits, has also been recommended.
The age of consent in Japan is 13.
The Japanese Penal Code stipulates that the age of consent, i.e. the legal age at which an individual is considered to have the ability to agree to sexual activities is 13 years old as of 2022. Most countries set the age of consent at 14 to 16.
The frequency of bathing shall be at most 1-2 times per day, and when people get used to Onsen, they can enjoy 2-3 times per day. Duration of bathing depends on the temperatures of water, but generally it shall be around 3-10 minutes at one time, and can be extended to 15-20 minutes if you get used to it.
As of now, Japan has the lowest age of consent in developed countries, as 13-year-old children are deemed old enough to consent which also means sexual activity with them is not considered statutory rape.
Rules are very important in Japan, and as there is a no tattoo rule in nearly all pools, onsens and gyms, a foreigner walking up to the desk with tattoos showing is bound to cause concern. Just cover up and keep those tattoos covered and that is acceptable. If you can't cover up, don't go to those environments.
Traditionally, visitors with tattoos aren't allowed in Japan's onsen (natural hot springs) because of an age-old association with organized crime. However, times are changing, and more and more onsen have relaxed their policies—in some cases to accommodate tattooed foreign tourists.