I completely fell in love with onsens on my first trip to Japan. I love European thermal baths, so when I heard Japan had their own bathing culture, I was excited to try it. While getting into the buff is a strange feeling at first, I found there was also something really liberating about it. You’d be surprised how quickly any discomfort disappears as you soak into the calming waters and look at the beautiful scenery all around. It just lulls you into a serene trance and you leave your inhibitions at the door.

Table Of Contents

1. What is an Onsen?
2. The Layout of the Onsen
3. Sentōs vs. Onsens
4. Why are Onsens Good for the Body?
5. Where is the Best Place to Find Onsen
   • Hakone
   • Kusatsu
   • Kyushu
6. When to Visit an Onsen
7. Public Vs. Private Price
8. Buying Your Tickets
9. What To Bring? 
10. Enter Change-Room
11. Konyoku
12. Tattoos
13. You MUST be Naked
14. Modesty Towel
15. Take a Shower First
16. Etiquette
17. Lounge Area

What is an Onsen?

An ‘Onsen ‘is the Japanese word for hot spring. Since Japan is a volcanically active country, there are thousands of natural onsens all over the place. The “Onsen” refers not only to the water itself but also to the facilities surrounding the hot springs. Onsen will often be marked with the “” symbol on the map. You might recognize this symbol from your emoji keyboard! You know something is a big deal when it reaches emoji status! If you’re ever wandering around a new city and see flags or signage for the onsen, you should definitely check it out!

The Layout of the Onsen

Some smaller onsens consist of just two large bathing areas, one for the women and one for the men. Other onsens are more like theme parks with many different bathing areas and pools of all different designs. Onsens are typically located in the most scenic Japanese landscapes. Many onsens will be attached to a Ryokan where you can stay the night in these incredible locations. Sitting in the pools, it looks like you have found yourself in a secret garden. The water nestled right under a canopy of trees all around you.

Inside the Onsen, the pools of water may be set at a variety of different temperatures. They are usually between 98-100 degrees. Even in the winter, the natural springs from the earth as still just as warm and a great way to enjoy the outdoors in the cold months. There is also a version of the Onsen called the “mizu-buro,” which is a cold water onsen. Taking a chilly dip into these waters is supposed to help with the heart and increases blood circulation.

Sentōs vs. Onsens

You might also find “Sentōs” when you are travelling around Japan. The only difference between sentōs and onsens is that sentōs heat the water for their public baths from a regular water heater rather than getting it from a natural hot spring. These are more commonly found in areas where there are no volcanic waters, but people still love to relax in a public hot bath.

Why are Onsens Good for the Body?

The natural volcanic spring water contains many different minerals which are said to provide lots of health benefits. It helps with muscle relaxation, increased blood circulation, insomnia and stress, and even cure some skin conditions. 

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Where is the Best Place to Find Onsen

Onsens and Sentōs can be found pretty much everywhere you go in Japan. Even in Tokyo’s city center, some capsule hotels are known for the onsens included in your stay. But if you want a real, natural springs experience you need to head outside the city and into the scenic countryside.

Hakone

One of the best places to go is Hakone. Hakone is located just over an hour outside of Tokyo but feels like another world. Hakone is home to the sulphur springs of the Owakudani Valley, and it produce some of the most healing waters in Japan. 

Kusatsu

Kusatsu is probably the most famous “onsen town”. An onsen town is a place that became famous only because of the onsens which surround it. People come from all over just to soak in the waters. There wasn’t initially much else to do in these onsen towns other than the onsen itself. Although over the years, with increased tourism, more and more restaurants and attractions have popped up to entertain tourists. But the focus is still on relaxation.

Kyushu

If you are travelling to the south end of Japan, you should visit Kyushu, where you can find the Kurokawa onsen. This Onsen is much more rustic and frequented mostly by locals, but this gives it a traditional atmosphere and unique experience. It feels very much like going back in time to the Japan of yesteryear.

Walking around onsen towns, especially in the winter, is a really cool experience as the hot steam from the springs, pops up practically all over town. Creating streets thick with steam. It’s so cool to find little jets of hot air gushing out from little holes in the ground here and there.

When to Visit an Onsen

Since Onsens are not just a tourist attraction, they are filled with locals throughout the year. Weekends are to be avoided if possible if you are looking for a quieter time to visit. I also recommend avoiding public holidays. The quieter it is inside, the more comfortable you might feel like a newbie rather than being packed in a crowded bath.

I would also recommend avoiding an onsen in the summer. The waters are already pretty warm, and the summer’s added heat and humidity can make this a very uncomfortable experience unless you REALLY like it hot! Visiting an onsen in the winter is actually the perfect way to get warm in the colder months. Despite many onsens being located outdoors, the heat from the springs doesn’t diminish in the cold, and you can easily sit outside in the waters for a long time without feeling too chilly. Plus, you can enjoy the scenic snowfall on the mountains and forest around you without wearing a million layers.

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Public Vs. Private Price

Inside many larger onsens, you will have the option of going into the public areas or renting a private room. The public spaces are separated by gender, so if you are looking to experience the onsen with your partner or friend of the opposite gender, you’ll need to opt for a private room. Private rooms come with your own bath and are typically much more expensive than the public onsens. An entry ticket to a public onsen is usually under $20 US, whereas private rooms cost upwards of $60/hour. 

But the price difference is worth it to some. I experienced both, and I found that if you are timid but are really interested in experiencing the Onsen’s wonders, the private baths are the best option for you. They can also feel much more romantic and peaceful. I loved my experience in the private Onsen in Hakone with my partner; it felt like our second honeymoon.

Buying Your Tickets

When you arrive at the Onsen, you will need to first pay admission to get inside. Some of the most popular onsens can book reservations online. Booking reservations aren’t essential unless you want a private bath as those are usually limited in number and during busy times of the year can book up fast. Booking online does ease the process of checking in, but it’s not required.

Smaller onsens in countryside towns might not even have an attendant at the front door during certain times of the year when they are not as busy. It’s just not worth it to them to pay someone to work there when there are so few visitors. In this case, there is a vending machine at the front where you can buy your entry ticket to get inside. In these cases, remember to bring cash since many smaller onsens are cash only.

What To Bring? 

If you are staying in a Ryokan, your hotel room will usually give you towels and a yukata to bring to the Onsen. If you aren’t staying in a Ryokan but have towels in your hotel room, you should bring them with you to the Onsen as they aren’t typically provided. Some onsens will rent towels and robes out at the front entrance, but the smaller ones may not, so you’ll be out of luck if you arrive without out. If you ever run into a situation where you don’t have a towel, and they don’t rent any out, run to your local 100 yen shop as they will always have something. And often these can be even cheaper than renting the towels from the onsen itself.

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Enter Change-Room

When you arrive at a public onsen, you will take off your shoes as soon as you step through the doors. Some onsen requires you to wash your feet before even entering the main reception area. Once you take your shoes off, you put them into a small cubby at the front. Don’t worry about not locking them up if there are no keyed cubbies; Japan is such a safe country you don’t need to worry about them being stolen.

Once you present your pre-paid ticket or buy your entrance inside, you enter one of two different change rooms. These change rooms lead into the male and females areas of the Onsen. They are generally marked in Japanese lettering on the fabric curtains. Sometimes these are colour-coded; red for women, blue for men. If they are not marked in English, you can always ask the attendant for help.

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Konyoku

While almost all onsens are separated by gender, there are a few co-ed onsens around the country. These are called “konyoku” and are great options if you want to experience the Onsen with friends of different genders. Unfortunately, Japan is pretty behind the times when recognizing transgender, genderqueer and intersex people, so konyokus are also better options for those individuals. Konyokus are pretty similar to European nude beaches, and those same rules of propriety should be followed.

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Tattoos

About 50% of public onsens do not allow you to come into the baths if you have tattoos. While this is an antiquated rule, for many traditional onsens, it still comes into effect. If you opt for a private onsen room, you won’t need to worry about this rule. I always advise you to ask the Onsen about their tattoo policy before booking to ensure you won’t be disappointed when you arrive.

You MUST be Naked

Once you enter the change room, grab yourself a locker or basket. Put your drying towel, yukata and all the rest of your belonging and clothes inside. And yes, I mean all of your clothes! No bathing suits are allowed. You enter the Onsen wearing nothing but your birthday suit. Although going into a public bath naked might seem pretty intimidating, it’s just one of those things you’ll get used to. Everyone else is naked too. It’s not only you. Public bathing is so common in Japan, so the locals aren’t phased. Don’t worry about feeling like people are looking awkwardly at you – they aren’t.

Modesty Towel

The one item you are allowed to bring into the onsen area is a small “modest towel.” This tower is there to help with those initial nerves. This small hand towel is meant to hold over your private parts for an extra little bit of coverage if you’re shy. This is never to be dipped right into the water, and you must place it on your head to keep it out of the water once you get into the onsen. Look how the locals are doing it and you’ll catch on immediately.

Take a Shower First

Before getting into the Onsen, you must take a shower. But these are not western-style stand-up showers. Instead, you’ll usually find a long bar of low shower heads with little stool beside them. You will sit on the stool and wash with the shampoo and body wash provided. No need to bring anything in yourself; it will all be there, ready for you. Many onsens will have various bath areas, and you should always remember to rinse and shower between going in and out of these other areas.

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Etiquette

• Never put your head under the water, as this will contaminate the water.
• Don’t wash your body inside the Onsen; that is what the shower area is for.
• If you have long hair, put it up in a high pony-tail to keep it out of the water.
• The Onsen isn’t for swimming and definitely no diving!
• Keep your voice to a low volume as an onsen’s experience is supposed to be a relaxing one.
• Attempt to dry yourself as much as possible with your modest towel before entering the change room after the baths. It’s rude to trail in lots of water into the change room.
• There are no phones allowed inside. This is to ensure no one is taking photos. Take this time without your devices to unwind and disconnect. Private onsens, on the other hand, are fair game since you are there in private. But I would still advise you to take a few photos only and spend most of your time in peace and quiet.

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Lounge Area

If you find you are getting too hot inside the Onsen, you can always get out, throw your robe or yukata on and relax in the lounge area. Depending on the size and design of the Onsen, this could be something as simple as a series of benches beside a vending machine or a beautiful restaurant set out in the natural environment. A post-bath meal, like a warm bowl of soba in the winter, is one of the best ways to finish off your day at the Onsen.

I hope you get the courage to experience an onsen for yourself on your next trip to Japan. You might just surprise yourself and find it to be one of the best activities on your travels. Let me know if you have been to an onsen before or what other information you might want to know all about them!

Happy Travels, Adventurers

The post Ultimate First-Timer’s Guide to Japan’s Onsen, Relax & Restore your Mind and Body first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

This magical place is tucked in off of one of the cities busiest shopping streets. Walking under the old wrought iron sign, and through the winter-worn garden, I almost felt as if I was someplace I wasn’t supposed to be. But after poking my head inside the large art nouveau building, I could smell the waters and warm cedar of the saunas. I knew I was in the right spot!

Table Of Contents

1. About Centralbadet 
2. About Nordic Saunas 
3. Price and Inclusions
4. Spa Treatments
5. What to bring?
6. Etiquette & Advice
7. The Experience
8. Dressing Room
9. Roman bath
10. Thermal bath
11. Hydrotherapy Pools
12. Cold Pool
13. Saunas 
14. Steam Bath
15. Roof terrace
16. The Eco-bar

About Centralbadet 

Centralbadet was opened in 1904. It was designed by architect Wilhelm Klemming who wanted to create a calming, natural retreat from the city. A window into nature. The sprawling interior covers 3,500 square meters, which is all quite the surprise considering the rather tiny entrance. Every corner of the spa features beautiful art nouveau designs and feels like you’re stepping back in time.

About Nordic Saunas 

It is very Swedish to go to the sauna. The Nordic tradition of sauna dates back more than 1,000 years. Bathing in these peaceful waters and sitting in the hot sauna helps strengthen your body and soul. Saunas were early day pharmacies as even the ancient Romans used them as cure-alls. They are thought to lower cholesterol, build up the immune system, help you sleep better at night, reduce stress, clear up the skin, and more!

Price and Inclusions

The basic entrance price to Centralbadet includes access to their art nouveau swimming pool, the relaxing Roman bath and sauna area with hydrotherapy pool, thermal spa, Kneipp bath, cold pool, steam bath, and a;; the various saunas. During the summertime, you will also have access to the outdoor gym on the rooftop terrace. There is also an indoor gym for use throughout the year. If you want to save a lot of money, you can purchase just the basic entry package, which simply includes access into the baths and saunas.

The basic entry fee is:

Monday – Thursday: SEK 300 ($35 USD)
Friday – Sunday (and holidays): SEK 400 ($46 USD)

Relax Package

The ‘relax package’ gets you entry to everything above but also includes: a bathrobe, towels, slippers and a swim cap. This costs:
Monday – Thursday: SEK 410 ($47 USD)
Friday – Sunday and holidays: SEK 510 ($58 USD)

Note: Due to COVID, currently, you must make reservations even just for the waters. So be sure to book before you arrive as they are not accepting any walk-ins.

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Spa Treatments

If you are interested in having a spa treatment, there are a myriad to choose from. Everything from classic Swedish (very appropriate) to hot stone, Thai and crystal healing. Each of these costs around 800 SEK ($92 USD) plus your entrance fee. Remember to book any of these treatments in advance to secure your spot with the massage therapist.

What to bring?

You’ll need a swimsuit for sure, and if you’re only buying the basic package, you’ll need to bring a towel and slipper with you as well. If you want to bring a swimming cap, you can, but as long as your hair is up, you don’t require one. I ended up buying the ‘relax package‘ during my visit since I didn’t want to lug around my wet towel at the end of the day. Also, those large comfy robes were totally worth it to lounge around in.

If you arrive in Stockholm and don’t have any of these items, almost everything is available for rent or purchase at Centralbadet upon check-in. When I came, I thought I had packed my bathing suit, but stupidly found that I had forgotten back of it back at the hotel! Luckily, I managed to rent on from the front desk for only $7 USD and was relieved not to have to run out in the cold again when I was all ready to relax!

The warm environment inside the spa is the perfect place for doing hair wraps and faces masks. The spa is totally cool with you bringing your own home, so don’t forget to grab one before you come. They also offer plenty for sale at the reception desk if you’d prefer to buy one there.

Etiquette & Advice

• Before going into the saunas or pools, always shower before entering. This cleanses your body from any sweat or dirt and prevents contaminating the pools. You must make sure to do this not just once, but anytime you move from the pools into the saunas and steam rooms. And vice versa.
• Here at Centralbadet, the spas are mixed genders, so men and women can both use almost all the facilities together. Bathing suits are required in the pool areas. But you cannot wear a bathing suit in the sauna and steam rooms. You are although required to wear a towel for modesty.
• The spa has one women’s only sauna, where women are allowed to remove their towel to relax in the nude. You have the option of keeping your towel on but don’t be shocked if you see most women there bearing all. There is something so freeing about doing this, and if you’re brave enough I would highly recommend it. No one will judge you, it is considered the norm here. But remember to ONLY do it in the women’s only sauna!
• Try to keep any talking to a low volume when in any of the pools. In the steam and sauna room, they aim for almost total peace and quiet. If it’s just you and friend alone in there, you can quietly talk for sure. But, if anyone else enters, it’s polite to keep silent as many people use these hot rooms for meditation.
• Drink lots of water! It’s essential when using the hot steam and sauna rooms to keep hydrated. Sometime you might feel a bit dizzy, so don’t hesitate to leave and cool down. Centralbadet also has these super neat cooling stations, which blow cold air directly at your body. Stand in front of one, and you’ll immediately cool down your body temperature.
• Never push yourself! If you feel hot, take a break. Head back to the pools and cool down. Everyone can handle the heat for different periods of time. Don’t feel like you need to keep up with the Swedes who can stay inside these sweltering rooms for ages. They are made of different stuff!

The Experience

Dressing Room

After you pay for your entry into the spa and are provided with any towels or robes (if you purchased that package), you’ll head next into the male and female changing rooms. The dressing rooms are stunning, and one of my favourite places in the spa visually. It was a treat to change and dress at the end of the session in this beautiful environment. One of my favourite things were tiny shell-shaped sinks with water lilies painted on to the porcelain. Almost all of the decor and furnishings are originals from the 1900s, and each item felt so precious and unique.

After showering and changing into your bathing suit, you head out of the dressing rooms into the buttercream painted hallways which lead you throughout the complex of pools and saunas. It really does feel like a maze, with narrow hallways leading up and downstairs to get to your destination.

Roman bath

The first thing we did upon entering was to seek out the famous Art Nouveau swimming pool. Walking into the room, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of this space. The ceiling’s bowed roofline framed with stage lights and the walls were illuminated in pale yellow, pinks and rose. On the left side of the room, towering palm trees and green plants gently swayed. 

This room is truly the piece-de-resistance of the spa. I took a seat on one of the cedar lounge chairs and took it all in for a few moments. The pool was the PERFECT temperature to swim in. Not too hot but not too cold so you could slip right in. If I lived in Stockholm, I’m sure I would be here everyday! There were a few shower stalls on the back wall, which were adorned in the most elaborate undersea designs. Coral reefs burst with colour, and painted ceramic fishes swim joyously around them.

There is a small upper balcony area above which wraps around the pool. In one of the corners, hidden up there, is a large hammock, and if you’re lucky enough to find it empty, be sure to jump right in!

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Thermal bath

After swimming around the refreshing waters of the main pool, we headed into the thermal bath area. Thermal bathing has been around since Roman times. A thermal bath is a hot or tepid bath used to treat both chronic and acute diseases and provides relaxation and stress relief. It improves circulation, which helps deliver nutrients and remove toxins from various parts of the body. Entering this part of the spa, you find this giant marble statue greeting you upon entry. While this is a replica, the original icon which it is based on, ‘Winged Victory of Samothrace,’ is on display at the Louvre. She was a relic of the 2nd century BC and was thought to once belong on a Roman ship’s prow. Her connection to the water is why perhaps she feels very appropriate situated here.

Hydrotherapy Pools

There were two warm pools in this room. One was a Hydrotherapy pool that used jacuzzi jets. Inside were these long underwater lounge chairs that you lay on while the warm waters whipped around below. The hydrotherapy water supports your weight, which helps relieve pain and relax your muscles.

The water was much warmer in the pool nearby, but there were no jets, so you could simply sink right in and indulge in the almost steaming waters. I love a warm bath, so this perhaps was my favourite of the heated pools.

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Cold Pool

Right beside the warm waters are two narrow pools with a set of stairs that descend into them. Be warned, this water is COLD! And I mean almost freezing. A cold pool dip is another traditional Nordic treatment. Historically, Scandinavians would sit in hot saunas, dug out of the earth, and then jump into the frozen lakes’ cold waters. This hot-cold-circuit is now something you’ll see in almost every modern-day spa. To complete a traditional circuit, you bath in hot water and then take a cold plunge. This is then followed up with stepping into a steam bath or sauna to bring the body back to its natural state. Then repeat.

How to Use A Cool Water Pool

The cold water pool here is pretty easy to use. Instead of dunking yourself in cold water, which is pretty intimidating, you simply walk down the stairs, which naturally dips your body in and out of the cold water. It still requires a bit of bravery but trust me, it really does make you feel amazing, and you’ll be proud you tried it!

The Circuit

Many people say you should complete the circuit of hot-cold-hot three times during your visit to get all the benefits of the Nordic waters. There is something almost meditative about focusing on this cycle. It requires you to step away from daily life’s stress and do nothing but relax and focus on your body. There are several lounge chairs to relax on here but if you wish to move on, step through the doors in this room towards the sauna area.

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Saunas 

As you head into the spa’s Sauna area, men and women are sent through a separate set of doors where they must take off their bathing suits and cleanse in the shower. You leave your bathing suits in the change room and enter the sauna area with only your robe or towel.

Nordic Sauna

Centralbadet features over seven different saunas to relax inside. Each one is a little bit different, and I’d advise trying them all. Even if you think you don’t like saunas very much, you might find one that is more to your liking and a bit cooler than others you might have experienced before. The Nordic sauna is the most traditional, the mixture of dry, hot air helps sweat out all those toxins. They recommend you sit inside anywhere from 5 to 15-minutes, depending on how much you like the heat! But remember, never push yourself!

Singing Dunes

The Singing Dunes sauna features a low-pitched song that plays throughout the room. Sitting inside you’ll feel a gentle dessert breeze sweep across your body. In the centre of the room is a massive piece of salt, lit from below, which creates the most mesmerizing glowing effect. The ionized salt therapy it provides is thought to help with anxiety and insomnia. They recommend humming along to the song and meditating inward to help find inner peace and increase relaxation.

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Aromatherapy

My favourite was the herbal and aromatherapy sauna, called the Kristall sauna. When you walk inside, the first thing you see is this huge piece of amethyst, and I mean HUGE. It was almost as big as I was! Here, you’ll find scents of fresh thyme, rosemary, mint and orange peel fill your nostrils. These herbs have been placed into the air via the steam inside the room. The smell was intoxicating, and I loved just sitting here and clearing my sinuses. 

When sitting in the saunas, I would recommend you just close your eyes and listen to the sounds in the room, the soothing music which lulls your mind away from stress.

Infrared Sauna 

The most comfortable sauna is sure the infrared as its the lowest temperature, almost just room temperature. There are lounge chairs inside this rather small room where you can sit and chat, as this room has a more casual atmosphere. Some people say they can experience positive effects in just 10-minutes from infrared light. Still, others sit here for almost an hour to bask in the relaxing energy waves. Infrared saunas are thought to help with collagen stimulation, skin brightness, and improved heart and vessel condition. So why not?!

Steam Bath

The steam bath is one of the most unique rooms. I’ve done steam rooms before, but never one this steamy! You can barely make out the white tiled floors for the thick steam all around you. The temperature is only about 45 degrees, but with 100% humidity, it can feel a lot warmer. Sitting down inside, it almost feels like it’s raining, the most gently drizzle, a genuinely ethereal experience. I usually can only stand a few minutes in the steam room but here with the lower temperature, I found myself meditating here for much longer.

Roof terrace

After completing a few rounds of the circuit, I wandered around the complex a bit more. This place is so vast, and when walking around certain areas, you felt like you might be going somewhere, you weren’t meant to be. Throughout my explorations, I discovered the barbershop, gym and even an artist’s residence office! But I was trying to locate the Roof Terrace! I finally made my way to the spiralling staircase, which led to the roof. Despite it being the dead of winter, the door to the outside was open, and I could peek my head out there. It was freezing, but the view was incredible! This place would be amazing to sit out on during the spring and summertime, and even in the freezing cold, I still soaked in the view. Then I immediately ran off back downstairs to jump back in the warm pool!

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The Eco-bar

The eco-bar located inside the spa is like dining inside a rainforest. The indoor restaurant features lush greenery and light therapy illuminations above you. These bright therapy lights are meant to aid with depression some people feel during the darker winter months. Otherwise known as ‘SAD’ or seasonal affective disorder. You can hop from the waters into the restaurant without taking off your robe and dine in pure comfort. There are different locations where you can eat throughout the spa, some which offer only cafe like drinks and snack and other areas which serve up entire meals.

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Food & Drink

The food is all organic and rich with nutrients, perfect for that revitalizing experience. You can also have wine, champagne or smaple some of their non-alcoholic beers. But for me, it’s always a cup of coffee and a dessert which calls my name! While the meals aren’t super cheap, they aren’t going to break the bank either, and honestly, I say go for it as eating here really adds to the entire experience.

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My experience at Centralbadet was unmatched! It was one of the best spa experiences I’ve ever had, and I wished I had been able to stay longer. I’ve read mixed reviews about this place and was interested in seeing it for myself. While it might not be the cheapest spa or sauna, it is also one of the largest and offers more options and amenities than any other.

Most people seem to complain about the price, so I hope this post really helps you understand all the different things you can do inside, which comes with entry. I didn’t have time for a massage or spa treatment, and I still was there for hours and hours. I went out of there feeling beyond relaxed, and as a traveller, you can get really run down exploring a new city. And this was precisely what I needed to recharge and relax! I would recommend it to everyone visiting Stockholm for the first, second or really anytime!

Let me know if you’ve experienced a Nordic spa before and what your favourite part was!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Centralbadet Stockholm first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.