Hot springs have been used in Japan for a long time.

It is often said that Japanese people love baths.
Bathtubs are standard equipment in most homes and hotel/inn bathrooms, and people soak in the tub to wash away the daily sweat and dust from their bodies.
It goes without saying that soaking in the spacious hot spring waters of inns and hotels, large public baths, open-air baths, large hot spring facilities, and public baths gives you a feeling of freedom and refreshment that is even greater than that of a bath at home.

To ensure a comfortable bathing experience, it's important to know in advance how to use Japanese public baths (hot springs, large communal baths, sento, etc.) and what precautions to take.

★Bathing naked

Bathing completely naked is considered good manners in Japanese hot springs.
Of course, there are hot springs and private baths that allow mixed bathing, and facilities where swimsuits are allowed, but most public baths in Japan are separate for men and women and require bathers to bathe naked.
If you don't want strangers to see your body, please use the bath in your guest room.

Things you should know before taking a bath

1. Don’t put strain on your body

・Avoid bathing when you are hungry, immediately after a meal, or after drinking alcohol.
・Elderly people, people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or people who have had a stroke should avoid bathing in water that is over 42°C.
・For people with weakened cardiopulmonary function, half-body or partial baths are recommended.
When getting out of the bathtub, get out slowly to avoid getting dizzy.

2. Avoid taking long baths

The recommended bath time is 1-2 times a day. This varies depending on the bath temperature, but each time you bathe, it should be around 3-10 minutes, and you should bathe quietly, moving your arms and legs lightly.

3. Stay hydrated

To avoid dehydration, drink a glass of water before and after bathing.

◆Bath Manners

・People with tattoos are not allowed to bathe.
*Rules vary depending on the facility. In some cases, it may be possible to enter by covering yourself with a bathrobe or sticker.
・Do not wear a swimsuit or underwear when entering the bathtub.

(At LIBER HOTEL, guests with tattoos are not allowed to bathe.)

・To keep the bath clean, please do not put towels in the bathtub.
・Tie up long hair and be careful not to let it fall into the bathtub.

・Do not swim, dive or submerge in the bathtub.
- The use of swimming accessories such as inflatable rings, balls, and toys is also prohibited.

・Please refrain from talking loudly and enjoy the bath quietly.
・To prevent voyeurism, the use of smartphones is prohibited, including in the changing rooms.

・Do not scrub your body or wash your hair in the bathtub.

・Even if the water temperature is high, do not add cold water without permission.
・Please refrain from doing anything in the shower area other than washing your body and hair (such as doing laundry or dyeing your hair).

★Please do not bring in food or drinks.

◆Preparing your belongings

In ryokans, amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and combs are generally provided in the bath area, so you should bring the face towels, bath towels, and yukata provided in your room.
At facilities where towels are provided for free use in the bath area, there is no need to bring them from your room.

Unlike inns, hotels allow you to use slippers, bathrobes, pajamas, etc. only in your room, so please follow the hotel's regulations regarding what to wear and what to bring to the large public bath.
Also, please note that hot springs and large communal baths may not have lockers with locks, so please do not bring valuables with you.

(At LIBER HOTEL, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, face towels, bath towels, etc. are provided in the bath area. If you need a body towel, please bring it from your room. Please leave your valuables in the lockers.)

◆Bathing Procedure

①Go to the changing room barefoot

If you're staying at a ryokan, put on your slippers from your room before heading to the large public bath.
Please take off your slippers at the entrance, line them up neatly on the floor or leave them on the shoe rack, and then head to the changing room barefoot.
If you wish to wear your own slippers when you leave, please place them a little distance away from yours or mark them with a number tag or memo paper provided by the inn to distinguish them from others.

(At LIBER HOTEL, you may come to the spa on the 3rd floor wearing pajamas and slippers. Please put your shoes and slippers in the designated lockers.)

② Take off your clothes in the dressing room and take a shower

The changing room is equipped with baskets and lockers for storing clothes.
Put your clothes in the basket and cover it with a bath towel. This way, other people can't see inside the basket and you can use the bath towel right after you've finished bathing.

Bring a face towel with you when you enter the bath.
If you're uncomfortable being naked, you can use a face towel to cover yourself while you move from the dressing room to the bathroom.

(At LIBER HOTEL, please put your clothes in the locked lockers.)

③Shower and shower

Be sure to wash your whole body before getting into the bathtub.
Sit on a chair and take a shower.
When doing so, be careful not to splash the hot water from the shower on those around you.
Shampoo, rinse, body soap and face wash are provided as standard.
Makeup remover may be available at the sink in the changing room.

After rinsing your whole body in the shower, pour the water over yourself from your extremities towards your head to allow your body to become accustomed to the temperature of the water.

*The bathtub has been turned upside down and placed on a chair, which is an empty space so please feel free to use it.

After use, please clean the chair and the bathtub to remove any bubbles and return them to their original condition.

If you don't need a shower, such as if you are taking a second bath on the same day, use a bucket placed nearby to pour water over yourself before getting in the bath.

(At LIBER HOTEL, makeup remover is provided in the washing area of the women's bath only.)

④ Bathing

Get into the bathtub quietly and start by taking a "half-body bath" by immersing yourself in the water up to your solar plexus.
Once you have gotten used to the temperature of the water, take a full-body bath, floating your body and gently moving your arms and legs to promote blood circulation.
When your forehead starts to sweat, get out of the bath.

To maintain the hot bath effect, do not rinse your body.
However, if you have sensitive skin, it is best to wash off the harsh hot spring ingredients with warm water.

⑤Before going to the changing room

After you finish bathing and showering, dry your entire body with a well-wrung face towel at the exit of the bath before going to the changing room.
This will keep your dressing room floor clean.
Use a towel to absorb as much water as possible from your hair.
After drying your body, wring out the face towel thoroughly when you exit the bath.

⑥After bathing

Please dress warmly and try to rest for about 30 minutes.
Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

This concludes our introduction to how to bathe in Japanese hot springs and large public baths. Be aware of the customs and etiquette beforehand so you can enjoy your bathing experience.