Karinoya Learning Room

Daily Life Lessons · Hot Springs

How to Use Hot Springs and Public Baths

Goal of this lesson

Be able to use hot springs and public baths on your own with proper manners.

Explanation

At typical hot springs (温泉) and public baths (銭湯), you bathe without a swimsuit (some facilities do require swimsuits, so check the information provided). Before getting into the bath, pour hot water over yourself (かけ湯) and wash your body. Do not put your towel in the bath water, and tie up long hair. Do not talk loudly, and do not take photos in the bathing area. Some facilities may restrict bathing for people with tattoos.

Read in Easy Japanese (yasashii nihongo)

温泉（おんせん）・銭湯（せんとう）の 入り方です。

1. 服を 全部 ぬぎます。ふつうは 水着を 着ません。 2. 体を 洗ってから、お湯に 入ります。 3. タオルは お湯に 入れません。 4. 髪が長い人は、まとめます。 5. 静かに 入ります。

Check quiz

Q1

At a typical hot spring or public bath, what about swimsuits?

  1. Required
  2. You don't wear one
  3. Underwear is OK
  4. Either way
AnswerB. You don't wear one

At typical hot springs and public baths, you bathe naked. Some facilities require swimsuits, so check the information provided.

Q2

What do you do before getting into the bath?

  1. Wash your body
  2. Drink the water
  3. Take a photo
  4. Run
AnswerA. Wash your body

Wash your body before getting in.

Q3

What about your towel?

  1. Put it in the water
  2. Keep it out of the water
  3. Scrub your body with it in the water
  4. Throw it away
AnswerB. Keep it out of the water

Do not put your towel in the water. It is OK to put it on your head.

Q4

What if you have a tattoo?

  1. OK anywhere
  2. Check the facility's rules
  3. Always OK if you cover it
  4. You can never enter
AnswerB. Check the facility's rules

It depends on the facility.

Q5

What about photos in the bathing area?

  1. OK
  2. Not allowed
  3. OK if only of yourself
  4. Need permission
AnswerB. Not allowed

Photos are not allowed.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Should I bring my own shampoo?

A. Public baths often do not provide it, so bring your own or buy it at the reception. Hot springs often provide it. It depends on the facility.

Q. Can I go with my child?

A. The age until which a child may enter the bath for the opposite sex with a parent is set by prefectural or other local ordinances (in many areas, roughly under 7 years old). Also check the facility's rules.

Q. What about valuables?

A. Leave them in a locker or at the reception.

Practice: answer the questions on this page

This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.

Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28

This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original