First Move
Take off your shoes before entering the changing or bathing area.
Quick steps
- Remove your shoes where others do.
- Pay or show your ticket.
- Enter the correct changing room by checking the signs.
- Wash your body before entering the bath.
- Enter the bath without a towel or swimsuit unless the facility says otherwise.
Don’t Do This
Don’t enter the bath before washing.
At Japanese baths, you wash your body first at the shower area. The bath itself is for soaking, not washing.
Don’t put your towel in the bath water.
Keep your small towel outside the water. You can place it on your head or leave it in a safe spot outside the bath.
Don’t wear a swimsuit unless the facility clearly allows it.
Most traditional onsens and sento are nude bathing spaces separated by gender.
Say or show this
Use these phrases to speak or point when you need help.
Use when it is your first time and you need help.
Hajimete desu.
初めてです。
It’s my first time.
Use when you need to check the tattoo policy before paying.
Tattoo ga atte mo riyou dekimasu ka?
タトゥーがあっても利用できますか？
Can I use this facility if I have a tattoo?
Use when you are unsure where shoes come off.
Doko de kutsu o nugeba ii desu ka?
どこで靴を脱げばいいですか？
Where do I take off my shoes?
Use when you need a towel.
Taoru wa arimasu ka?
タオルはありますか？
Do you have towels?
If You See or Hear This
Kutsu o nuide kudasai.
靴を脱いでください。
It means: Please take off your shoes.
Your move
Look for the shoe area or shoe locker.
Karada o aratte kara haitte kudasai.
体を洗ってから入ってください。
It means: Please wash your body before entering the bath.
Your move
Go to the shower area before entering the bath.
If You’re Stuck
Watch the order of movement. Shoes come off first. Clothes come off in the changing room. Washing happens before the bath. The bath is for quiet soaking.
Tiny Culture Note
Onsen and sento are shared quiet spaces. The rules keep the water clean and the space comfortable for everyone.