Sure, no worries! Wanting to experience an onsen, huh? This is absolutely one of the best things to do in Japan. Don't stress, let me break it down for you step-by-step. You'll feel like a pro on your very first visit.

How to Experience an Authentic Japanese Onsen or Sento? What Etiquette Should You Know?

First, let's clarify two things:

Onsen (温泉 / おんせん): Uses naturally flowing water rich in minerals, usually located in beautiful rural or mountainous areas. Perfect for relaxation and vacations.
Sento (銭湯 / せんとう): Public bathhouses in cities using heated tap water (though some upscale sento might add onsen water or medicinal bath salts). It's part of everyday Japanese life, full of local character and community spirit.

For first-timers, I highly recommend starting with a sento. It's cheaper, the rules are the same, and there's less pressure. Once you're familiar with the process, you'll enjoy an upscale onsen ryokan stay even more!

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps, and you can't go wrong!

Step 1: Entry & Buying Tickets

When you enter, find a place to take off your shoes. There's usually a shoe locker (下駄箱 / getabako) near the entrance. Place your shoes inside, lock it, and put the wooden locker key strap around your wrist.

Next, buy your ticket. Old-style sento might have a "bandai" (elevated counter) where an attendant sells tickets. Most places now use ticket vending machines. Insert coins, select the cheapest "Bathing Ticket" option (usually the first one), and the ticket will come out. You can also buy towels, shampoo, etc., from the machine. Hand the ticket to the counter staff.

Tip: If you didn't bring anything, ask if they have a "Tebura Set" ("手ぶらセット", meaning "empty-handed set"). It usually includes a towel and toiletries, super convenient.

Step 2: Entering the Changing Room (Dressing Area / 脱衣所)

Staff will direct you to the Men's Bath (男 / 殿方) or Women's Bath (女 / 婦人) area. The curtain (暖簾 / noren) at the entrance will clearly indicate.

Enter the changing room (脱衣所 / datsuijo) and find an empty locker. Now comes the key step—strip completely! Yes, bathing in Japan is fully nude. Swimwear is not worn. Everyone is used to it, no one will stare, so relax and be confident!

Place all your clothes and your large bath towel into the locker and lock it. You only need to take:

Your locker key (on your wrist)
The small hand towel (for washing yourself or modesty)
(Optional) Your own toiletries

Step 3: Entering the Bathing Area & Thoroughly Washing (The MOST Important Rule!)

Enter the bathing area with just your small towel. DO NOT, under any circumstances, get straight into the main bath! This is the absolute cardinal rule.

First, go to the shower/washing area (洗い場 / araiba). You'll see rows of small stools and shower heads. Sit down on a stool and use soap or shower gel to thoroughly wash your whole body. This is to maintain hygiene in the shared bath and shows respect for others.

Note: Try to wash while seated to avoid splashing water on others. After using the stool and basin (find one!), rinse them off briefly and put them back where you found them if you moved them.

Step 4: Time for the Bath!

Once completely clean, you can finally enjoy the bath.

Entering the Bath: Slowly ease yourself into the water to get used to the temperature. It's good practice to scoop some bath water from the edge and pour it over yourself first. This is called "kake-yu" (掛け湯).
What to do with the Small Towel: This is a classic "tourist giveaway". That small towel you just used for washing? You must never put it into the bath water.
- Fold it neatly and place it on your head (the classic look!).
- Place it on the edge of the bath.
In the Bath: Relax quietly. Don't swim or be noisy. Enjoy the scenery (if it's an outdoor bath / rotenburo) or the different water temperatures. Some sento have special baths like "electric baths" (微弱電流風呂 / denki buro) or medicinal baths (薬湯 / yakuyu) – try them out!

Step 5: After Bathing

Once you feel relaxed (take breaks every 10-15 minutes), you can leave the bath.

Before heading back to the changing room, use your small towel to wipe off most of the water while still in the bathing area. This prevents making the changing room floor wet and slippery.

Go back to the changing room. Now you can use your clean large bath towel from your locker to dry yourself completely and get dressed.

Step 6: Final Touches & Relaxation

Once dressed, don't rush off! Many onsen and sento have a relaxation area outside the changing room, often featuring:

Vending machines: Selling various drinks.
Hair Dryers: Usually free, or coin-operated for a few yen (like 10 yen).
Weight scales, massage chairs

The Ritual Experience: You MUST grab a chilled glass bottle of milk (coffee milk or fruit milk are great too)! Chugging it down after bathing is the quintessential way to finish – it feels like completing the entire experience!

Essential Etiquette (Do's & Don'ts)

Let me summarize the key points to remember:

✅ Wash before bathing: You MUST shower and wash yourself thoroughly before entering the bath.
✅ Keep towel out of the water: Place the small towel folded on your head or on the bath edge.
✅ Tie up long hair: Use a hair tie or a bathing cap to prevent hair from getting in the water.
✅ Keep quiet: The bath is for relaxation, not a water park.
❌ No swimwear: Unless it's specifically a mixed-gender resort with pools, traditional onsen and sento require full nudity.
❌ No washing clothes in the bath area.
❌ Don't stare at others: Don't worry too much – locals genuinely won't care or notice.
❌ No photos: Photography or using mobile phones is strictly forbidden in both the changing rooms and bathing areas.

Important Note on Tattoos (Tattoo / タトゥー)

This is a common concern for many foreign visitors. Traditionally, because tattoos are associated with the Japanese underworld (Yakuza), many onsen and sento prohibit people with visible tattoos.

What to do?

Check in advance: Before going, check the venue's official website or Google Maps reviews to see if they are "Tattoo OK" (タトゥーOK). Many places are becoming more accommodating to tourists.
Use tattoo cover patches: If your tattoo is small, buy flesh-colored waterproof cover patches (タトゥーカバーシール) from a drugstore.
Find "tattoo-friendly" places: Some websites compile lists of tattoo-friendly baths, like Tattoo-Friendly.
Book a Private Bath: At an onsen ryokan, you can reserve a "kashikiri-buro " or "kazoku-buro" (貸切風呂 / 家族風呂), a private rental bath for you/your group per hour – then no one will care about tattoos.

Alright, with this guide, you can confidently go and enjoy the experience. Don't overthink it – just relish the feeling of warm water soothing your body and that ice-cold milk afterward! Have a great bath!