Daily Life Lessons · Hot Springs
Be able to check each facility's rules on mixed bathing and family (private) baths (bathing garments, towels, reservations, children's ages), and choose a way of bathing that fits your family or care situation.
Most hot springs (温泉) and public bathhouses (銭湯) in Japan have separate baths for men and women. On the other hand, some hot spring areas have mixed bathing (混浴, konyoku), such as outdoor baths where men and women bathe together. For mixed bathing, some facilities provide bathing garments (湯あみ着, yuamigi), but whether you may use a bathing garment or a towel differs by facility. Check the signs or ask at reception before entering. Do not stare at other people or take photos.
A family bath (家族風呂, also called a private bath 貸切風呂) is a bath that only your family or group can use. It may require a reservation, have a time limit or charge a fee. It is an easy option for people with small children or people who need assistance.
At public baths such as sento, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省) guidelines state that males and females aged about 7 or older should not bathe together. The actual age standard is set by local government ordinances, so check with the facility.
日本の 温泉（おんせん）や 銭湯（せんとう）は、多くが 男女 別々です。
【混浴（こんよく）】 ・男女が いっしょに 入る お風呂です。 ・湯あみ着（ゆあみぎ）や タオルの ルールは、施設（しせつ）で ちがいます。 ・入る 前に 案内を 見ます。 ・ほかの 人を じろじろ 見ません。写真を とりません。
【家族風呂（かぞくぶろ）】 ・家族や 友だちだけで 使える お風呂です。 ・予約（よやく）や お金が いる ことも あります。 ・小さい 子どもや、介助（かいじょ）が いる 人も 使いやすいです。
国の 目安（めやす）では、子どもは だいたい 7さいから、ちがう 性別の お風呂に 入れません。きまりは 地域で ちがいます。
What are the rules on bathing garments and towels in mixed baths?
Whether bathing garments or towels are allowed differs by facility. Check the signs or ask at reception.
What is a family bath (private bath)?
It is a bath only your family or group can use. Check conditions such as reservations and fees with the facility.
What must you not do in a mixed bath?
Do not stare at other people or take photos.
Under the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare guidelines, from about what age should males and females not bathe together?
The guidelines say about 7 or older. The actual standard is set by local government ordinances.
What can you do if you want to bathe with a family member who needs assistance?
A family bath is an easy option for people who need assistance. Check the conditions of use with the facility.
Q. Do family baths require a reservation?
A. Some facilities require a reservation, and at others you can use it on the spot if it is free. Hours and fees also differ by facility, so check in advance.
Q. Can I wrap a bath towel around myself in a mixed bath?
A. It differs by facility. Some facilities provide bathing garments, but each facility decides whether bathing garments or towels may be used. Check the signs or ask at reception.
Q. Can a child aged 7 or older bathe in a family bath with a parent of the opposite sex?
A. Some local governments allow married couples, parents and children, people who need assistance and others to bathe together in family baths regardless of age. Standards differ by local government and facility, so check with the facility.
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: 2026-10-03
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