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.

Table Of Contents

1. Airport to Spa Transfer
2. Access
   • Journey to the Lagoon
3. History of the Blue Lagoon
4. Booking Your Time Slot
5. Choice of Package
6. Arrival at the Blue Lagoon
   • Checkin
7. Entering the Thermal Pools
8. Booking a Massage
   • Massage Pricing:
     • My Experience
9. Benefits of the Waters
10. Silica Mud
11. Steam Rooms
    • TIP

Airport to Spa Transfer

Your visit to the Blue Lagoon begina as soon as you land in Reykjavik. Our flight arrived so early in the morning that even the cafes were shut at the airport. It would be hours before we could check into our hotel, but happily, the Blue Lagoon offers a service for this very problem. You can board a bus directly from the airport that brings you and your luggage straight to the spa. When you arrive, they store your bags free of charge, and you can enjoy the rest of your day in the waters. It’s the perfect remedy for jetlag!

Access

If you are not travelling from the airport on the Blue Lagoon bus, there are several other ways of arriving at the spa. If you are renting a can from the airport, the Blue Lagoon is about 20 minutes from Keflavik International Airport. And 45 minutes outside Reykjavik. To get to the Blue Lagoon via public transport, you’ll need to board a “Destination Blue Lagoon” bus. There are 12 different pickup locations in Reykjavik where you can board this bus. The journey on the bus takes about an hour and costs ISK 3,495 for a one way journey.

Journey to the Lagoon

The journey out to the Lagoon is a wonderful part of the entire experience. We saw our first glimpses of this gorgeous and strange country on the way. The houses outside the city were so unique. Bright metal siding and colourful roofs decorated the barren landscape. We saw statues along the water’s edge as we drove along the coast. They were giant rocks carved into the shapes of people, their bodies leaning into the surf, the wind blowing in their hair.

But the thing that grabbed my attention the most was the earth itself. It was such a strange colour, almost as if the entirety of the soil here was made of nothing but moss. There were pretty much no trees anywhere you looked. Just ground and mountains. This makes the landscape stand out, as nothing obscures the view. It was almost like seeing the surface of Mars.

History of the Blue Lagoon

The history of the Blue Lagoon can be traced back to 1976, when a geothermal power plant was built in the area. The warm water produced by the power plant was directed into a nearby lagoon, which eventually became known as the Blue Lagoon. Over time, the lagoon became a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to experience its unique therapeutic properties.

Booking Your Time Slot

As of 2023, pre-booking is required due to the popularity of this spa. Others in Iceland provide a similar experience, but this is the best of the best when it comes to geothermal spas. One of the most awe-inspiring time slots will be around sunset. Book your arrival an hour before sunset, so you’ll be there day and night. But witnessing the sunset from these stunning waters is an out-of-this-world experience. If you are delighted with a clear day during the season with northern lights, you might also be surprised to see these out here while swimming in the water.

Choice of Package

There are two main types of tickets to the spa. The COMFORT package gets you entrance into Blue Lagoon, a Silica Mud Mask, the use of one towel and a drink of your choice costs at the bar. This package costs between 8,990 kr -12,990 kr, which is the best value. The price is dependant on what time you book, as some times are less popular and therefore less expensive.

Next is the PREMIUM package, which features Entrance to the Blue Lagoon, Silica mud mask, Two additional masks of your choice, Use of towel, 1st drink of your choice, Use of bathrobe and 1 glass of sparkling wine if dining at Lava restaurant. This package costs you 11,490 kr – 14,490 kr. Each package allows you to add other spa treatments for additional costs.

Arrival at the Blue Lagoon

When we arrived, in the distance, we saw the hills part and a faint trail of smoke leading up to the sky where the hot springs were located. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa. Unlike some naturally formed hot springs in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is man-made and uses geothermal water from the nearby power plant. Don’t worry; it’s completely safe. Even more than that, the waters are thought to be some of the most healing on the planet.

The lava formations which create the pools are all natural and filled with geothermal water run-off. The water’s main healing ingredients are silica, algae & other minerals. The blue colour comes from the reflection of the silica in the sunlight.

Checkin

When you check-in, you are given a small blue wristband letting you in and out of the pools and a bright blue towel to use all day. You could also buy a robe or slipper, but we didn’t feel the need to have them. If you visited in the colder months, I can see why the robe would be a plus.

The changing rooms are public – unless you opt for the super expensive couples package. So prepare to change into your bathing suits around others. But arriving as early in the morning as we did, there weren’t many people, so we felt it was private enough. After changing into your bathing suit, you need to take a cleansing shower before entering the thermal pools.

Entering the Thermal Pools

Immediately as you walk through the doors to the outdoor pools, you’ll be stunned and in awe by the sight. The vivid blue waters glowed in the sunlight, and puffs of steam rose off the water like clouds in the sky. The pools were framed against the rough and rugged black molten rocks. It seemed impossible that the earth created something so incredible. I was one of the only people outside since it was early in the day, and walking across the bridges and platforms to the massage area, I felt so lucky to be experiencing something not many would ever get to see – an empty blue lagoon.

It felt so hot when I dipped my toe in the water, but since it was Iceland and the air was freezing, I jumped in to escape the cold. I breathed a sigh of relief as the warm water surrounded me. I gently swam around my tiny waiting pool and watched as a man with a severe skin condition rubbed the silica mud all over himself. To my amazement, after he left it on for a few minutes, the redness in his skin had all but disappeared when he washed it off. It was like magic. After washing in the showers, he quickly left without even using the water. I found out later that he is a regular whose doctor gave him private entry to the spa to help heal his severe eczema since it was the only thing that brought him any relief. Magic.

Booking a Massage

One of the most unique aspects about booking a massage at the Blue Lagoon is that they provide in-water massages. Unifying the dynamic pleasures of massage therapy, the revitalizing powers of Blue Lagoon Water, and the otherworldly beauty of the Blue Lagoon’s volcanic landscape.

Massage Pricing:

Relaxing Massage 30 minutes ISK 15 900 | Relaxing Massage 60 minutes ISK 24 900 | Signature Massage 120 minutes ISK 49 900

My Experience

I decided to book a 30-minute message when I visited the Blue Lagoon to get the complete experience. When I arrived for my massage, I was told to lie on a floating blue mat in the water. A small pillow is placed under your head, and a large wet towel covers your body to keep you warm. Unlike any other massage I’d had before, here you feel weightless. My masseur could massage parts of my body I don’t think you can explore in a regular massage.

Floating there, weightless, she could move around me like a fish. After she was done, she pushed my mat to another part of the lagoon, where I lay for a few minutes, eye closed, letting that sense of perfect calmness flow over me. I almost fell asleep, but soon I opened my eyes, and to my surprise, when I sat up, I saw that the entire pool was now filled with hundreds of people. I pulled my jelly-like appendages off the mat, went to find my friend, and swam in these crystal blue waters.

Benefits of the Waters

The water here is SUPER salty. I also noticed that different areas of the pools had varying degrees of warmth since there were heated by the earth’s natural temperature. The geothermal water cannot hold onto bacteria, so the waters do not need any chlorinator; therefore, it’s devoid of any chemicals which might dry out your skin. The lagoon had a few little nooks where you could sit and relax. There was even a waterfall which was so powerful that when you stood underneath it, you thought it much crushed you. But oddly enough, it felt great on sore muscles.

Silica Mud

We went and put silica mud on our faces to moisturize and exfoliate. As we swam around and loved squishing the silica between our toes. We giggled and laughed as kids again, playing in the mud and splashing around in the pool.

Steam Rooms

There were also steam rooms which were insanely hot but great for getting rid of impurities in the skin. The steam rooms looked like little hobbit holes in the hillsides. When you stepped inside, it was almost pitch black, with bursts of steam rising from the ground. Sitting inside on one of the benches, it felt like I was breathing in hot lava. It was a mysterious but enjoyable experience. I was too scared to stay there for an extended period, but we stayed long enough to decompress and let the hot air fill out lungs and purge our skin of city pollution.

TIP

While basking in these waters is super relaxing, it is important to take breaks. You will get very dehydrated, so be sure to grab a drink of water throughout your stay, so you don’t pass out. It is also essential to use the conditioner provided in the showers before you leave. Take this piece of advice seriously! The waters are extremely dehydrating for your hair, but their super moisturizing conditions are perfect for bringing back a soft texture. So don’t just shower and run. Some people even like to put some conditioner on their hair while they get dressed.

Iceland is an incredible city, unlike any other in the world. Mystical, magical and a must-see for anyone with a desire to seek out the strange and mysterious sides of this great place we call earth.

The post Everything you Need to Know about Visiting Blue Lagoon in Iceland [UPDATED 20223] first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.