Learn the bucket, the towels, the tattoos rule and the water — before you ever step into one.

Onsen is the one part of Japanese travel where small mistakes are public and permanent-feeling, and where knowing the rules is what makes the experience genuinely relaxing.

By the end

You will be able to walk into any onsen in Japan, read the entrance, bathe correctly without offending anyone, and choose which springs and regions are worth your trip.

Who this is for

Adults who are curious about Japanese hot springs — whether they are flying next month or will only ever visit through a screen.