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What's the difference between an onsen and a sento?
First off things first, are you going to an onsen, or a sento? It doesn’t really matter because the rules are the same, but it’s good to know the difference before we start.
An onsen is a hot spring (温泉), and a sento (銭湯) is a public bath. As you may have gathered from their names, the biggest difference is the water. Onsen water is a natural spring water from deep underground, while at a sento the water is just heated tap water. But, that doesn’t mean a sento doesn’t have good baths—I've soaked in some amazing ones with all sorts of cool add-ins like lemon baths 🍋
But honestly? Once you're inside, it can be tricky to tell if you're in an onsen or sento. They both usually have a bunch of different baths to try, some inside, some outside, and most throw in a sauna too. The biggest giveaway is actually the location and price—sento are scattered all over cities and won't break the bank, while onsen tend to be out in the mountains and cost a bit more (but not always!).
So which should you choose?
My take? Don't stress about picking one or the other—try both if you can! I used to mostly go to onsen, but now I also go to sento all the time. I love the more local feel, and some have gotten really trendy lately with some cool perks (such as serving craft beer!).
But if you're worried about figuring out which is which, just do a quick Google search before you go. Pro tip: grab an Airalo e-SIM before your trip to make sure you have the data to check. Way easier than dealing with physical SIM cards at the airport, and usually cheaper too. Will it stop you from getting lost in Japan? Maybe not completely, but hey, at least you'll be able to Google your way back! 😅
Things to bring to an onsen or sento
You can technically show up to an onsen or sento with absolutely nothing! But you may end up paying extra for things like towels or hair elastics if you don’t bring your own. So, I would bring:
- A big and small towel (why you need both, to come)
- A bottle of water
- An extra pair of underwear to change into after
- A hair elastic (why you need this, also to come!)
- A hair brush
- Moisturizer
- Face wash
Things you don’t need to bring unless you want to (as they will almost always be included):
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- A bathing suit (they aren’t allowed!)
- Hair dryer
What to do when you arrive to an onsen or sento
Step 1: Remove your shoes
When you arrive, the first thing you need to do is take off your shoes! Right when you walk in the doors, you will probably notice some lockers. You also will probably notice they are up a step. Take your shoes off before going up the step, and put them in the locker.
Step 2: Check in at reception
After taking off your shoes, head to the front desk. Sometimes you pay before you enter, sometimes you pay after. They will let you know which, and also offer things like towels for rent or purchase.
Step 3: Find your change room
Japanese baths are almost always gender-separated (since you go naked, it kind of makes sense). You can enter the baths through the change rooms, so the first step is to find the right one! While unlikely to find English written on the doors, you don’t usually have to learn kanji to find the right one either. Just look for a door with a red curtain for women’s or a blue curtain for men’s.
Most onsen I find follow this structure, but just in case you can also look out for the characters 女 (onna/women) or 男 (otoko/men). But at the same time, I find they often just have the character ゆ for bath, so in this case, you will know by the colour!
A quick note for gender separation, while strict for adults, there is flexibility for young children—kids under 6 can usually go in either bath, so they can go with either parent. And yes, onsen are generally kid friendly! Just make sure your children are sitting and not using the bath as a swimming pool.
Step 4: Undress and prepare
Here's the part that makes many first-timers nervous: yes, you'll need to get completely nude. But remember—everyone else is too, and nobody's paying attention! Make sure to also tie up your hair, because nothing should go in the water except your body. I also take my small towel and tie it around my head to both hold my hair in, but also so I have it to dry off before coming back into the change room.
Step 5: Enter the bathing area
Once you’re ready, head into the onsen area! The only thing I bring into the onsen is my water bottle. There’s usually a little shelf somewhere to leave it so if you get too hot it’s handy without having to go back into the changeroom to find it. If you've brought your own toiletries, feel free to bring those too, though they should provide soap, shampoo and conditioner!
Step 6: Shower yourself
This is maybe the most important step as you will get the evil eye from other patrons if you forget it: shower before going into the baths! Find a free shower station—they're typically low seated areas with a stool and shower attachment. You may (rarely) have to wait, but it’s fine it shouldn’t be too long! Give yourself a good scrub with soap, though you might want to save the hair wash for after your soak (especially if you're planning to use the sauna). Once you're done, be sure to rinse off your stool for the next person, and if you used a bucket, flip it back upside down so it can dry.
Step 7: Enjoy the onsen
There are usually multiple kinds of baths, so take your time and enjoy them all! And a couple quick etiquette notes to keep in mind:
- Keep your head and hair above water
- Don’t be too loud
- No splashing or swimming
- Your small towel shouldn't go in the water (keep it on your head or place it at the edge)
Step 8: Rinse and dry
After you're done soaking, you can rinse off, wash your hair if you haven’t, then head back into the changing room. But here's a crucial step many first-timers miss: before heading back to the changing room, thoroughly dry yourself with your small towel. Yes, even if you plan to come back out again! Why? Nobody wants to step in puddles while getting dressed, and those poor innocent socks deserve better than a soaked changing room floor. Think of the socks!
Step 9: A quick note on sauna etiquette
Some onsen and sento also have saunas! A quick note on how to use these:
- Look for the sitting pads either outside or just inside the sauna door
- Always sit on a pad—never directly on the sauna benches
- When you're done, take the pad with you
- Rinse the pad off (if you got it from inside, use the tap in the sauna)
- Return the sitting pad to where you found it
- Give yourself a quick rinse before getting back into any baths
Can you go to an onsen or sento if you have tattoos?
Unfortunately, most onsen and sento do not allow tattoos. But, that doesn’t mean they all don’t! So even if you are covered head to toe, you can still experience onsen and sento in Japan.
Around Tokyo, my favourite tattoo friendly onsen is in Hakone and is called Tenzan Onsen. It’s a bit out of the city but is definitely worth the trek!
For an onsen in Tokyo, you can check out Togoshi Ginza Onsen. Despite being within Tokyo, it is an onsen, meaning it has actual hot spring water. It also has an outdoor bath which (in my opinion) is always the best part.
Private Baths
Another option for those who have tattoo's are private baths. If you rent a private bath, you can also go in with whoever you like, so it's also a great option for couples or families if you want to go together and have already tried the public baths!
If you want to rent a private bath, I recommend booking before you go, just in case they are all full when you arrive. Many Ryokan (traditional Japanese style hotels) also offer discounted (or even free!) private bath time slots to guests. So if you're staying at a Ryokan, make sure to check with reception in case this is something that they offer. You can usually book your time slot at the time of check-in, so try to get there early to make sure you're able to snag a spot!
What else to do on a trip to Japan?
Need help planning the rest of your trip? No worries, I’ve got you covered! Check out my 5 day itinerary for Tokyo, my ultimate two week guide for Japan, or maybe my top 20 things to do in Kyoto. No matter where you stay or what you do, I know you’re going to have a great time!
Enjoy the onsen, and see you in the next one! Wander on friends ✨
