A quiet guide to onsen etiquette
What to know before your first hot-spring bath, without the tourist-trap anxiety.
Wash and rinse thoroughly at the shower stations before entering the bath — the onsen water is shared, not a place to wash.
Swimsuits are typically not worn in traditional onsen; a small modesty towel is common but shouldn't touch the water.
Tattoos are still restricted at many traditional onsen. Check ahead, or look for tattoo-friendly listings, increasingly common in larger cities.
Keep voices low. An onsen is closer to a quiet room than a pool.