On a cold winter day, taking a hot spring bath is truly a delightful experience. When it comes to soaking in hot springs, many people will immediately think of Japan. After all, perhaps only Japan has taken the hot spring culture to the extreme.
But when it comes to Japan’s hot spring culture, many people will surely think of the alluring scene of “mixed bathing for men and women” in Japan. In fact, these are just a few screenshots from “island nation love action films” made by some media or individuals. If you really think that Japanese hot springs are like that, then that’s too…
By the way, does Japan really have “mixed bathing for men and women”? There is an answer, but it’s not what you think. Mixed bathing for men and women is just one form of Japanese hot spring culture, coexisting with separate bathing for men and women. However, whether it is mixed bathing for men and women or separate bathing, one must be fully naked when taking a bath.
However, don’t think that soaking in a hot spring in Japan is just a group of men and women scrubbing in a pool. Soaking in hot springs in Japan is not merely about taking a bath; it is a complete set of rituals and there are many hot spring etiquette rules to follow.
One of the more important points in Japanese hot spring etiquette is to maintain cleanliness and purity. Before entering the hot spring pool, be sure to take a shower first and scrub off all the mud that needs to be rubbed. Scrubbing is not allowed in the hot spring.
Then, take a small towel to cover your private parts and walk to the hot spring pool to enter. However, remember that the small towel should not be put into the pool. It can be placed aside or used as a pillow, or covered on the forehead. If it’s a girl, a small towel can be used to wrap her hair to prevent it from getting into the water.
In addition to the above, there are many points to note when soaking in hot springs: Do not splash water on others when taking a shower; After washing, remember to wipe it briefly with a towel. Don’t go to soak in the hot spring with water dripping all over your face. After soaking in the hot spring, don’t go back wet. You can let it dry naturally or wipe it.
Also, slippers are not allowed in the hot spring pool. You have to go there barefoot. When entering the hot spring pool, do it slowly. Don’t jump in with a splash. The hot spring pools in Japan are not the big bathhouses in China… The picture below shows the wrong way to soak in hot springs. Please don’t do this when soaking in hot springs in Japan.
Don’t you think it’s just a hot spring bath, so why is it so troublesome? In fact, there are quite a few subtleties involved here. In the vast majority of hot springs in Japan, guests are required to take a shower before entering the hot spring pool completely naked. This is to keep the hot spring pool clean. Therefore, towels are not allowed in the pool either. Even if towels are to be washed, they should be washed in the nearby water tank or during the shower.
On the other hand, because hot springs have many special therapeutic effects, taking off all clothes and soaking in hot springs will enable the therapeutic effects of hot springs to be better exerted. Moreover, free from the constraints of clothing and combined with the soft water, the feeling of completely immersing oneself in the embrace of nature and enjoying the harmony between man and nature might be the main reason why Japanese people like to soak in hot springs naked.
After soaking in the hot spring, the most enjoyable thing is to have a glass of milk. Usually, there are vending machines for milk and other beverages at the entrance. Buy what you like and gulp it down. It’s so refreshing.
If you stay in a hot spring inn in Japan, after soaking in the hot spring, you can also enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine. Some inns offer local specialties, local dishes, kaiseki cuisine, etc., which will surely satisfy your taste buds.
Next time I go to Japan, I’ll take a hot spring bath and enjoy myself to the fullest.