Japanese Onsens

An onsen (Ohn-sen) is a public bath. The tradition began when most Japanese did not have indoor plumbing, and it has continued. It is a delight, and we have stayed at some of the best in Japan. The first one is of the ohnsen in the Hakodate. There are rules for using the onsen:

1)You must enter the bath naked. No clothing or towels allowed.

2)Men and women are separated completely. No opposite sex allowed.

3)You have to take a bath and completely wash everything, including your hair, in a side area before you enter the bath. Along the edge of the bath there are little stations with mirrors. You sit at one and soap up and shower off. The water is warm and pleasant.

4)Once you are in the bath, relax. Nothing else is important.

The entrance to the onsen. Men go to the left, women go to the right.

The entrance to the women's side

another perspective on the entrance

The area where you get undressed

The shower area

The indoor bath

The outdoor bath

This ryokan's outdoor bath looked out onto a beautiful japanese garden.