What is a public bath tour? How to use public baths, fees, towels, and opening hours.

Conclusion: Check the 7 conditions before departure.

JNTO (Japan National Hot Springs Organization) introduces Kinosaki Onsen and Kurokawa Onsen as representative hot spring resorts where you can visit multiple public baths and open-air baths. However, the system for visiting public baths is not a nationwide standardized system. Even if the name is "public bath," "community bath," "public bathhouse," or "day-trip hot spring," the source of the hot spring, reception, facilities, and operating entity may differ.

Please check the latest information in the following order: official website, on-site notices, and information from reception staff. Do not use prices or closing days found in old blogs or reviews; please also check for any temporary closures or maintenance on the day of your visit.

Differences between public baths, communal baths, and day-trip bathing.

You cannot assume it is a natural hot spring just because it is called a "public bath." Check the facility's hot spring information to find out about the water quality, whether water is added, heated, or circulated.Guide to Hot Spring Water Quality, FootbathHow to walk in a footbathWill be helpful.

Bath tickets and accommodation passes require verification of 5 items.

1. Is it included in the accommodation plan, or is it a separate purchase?
2. Issuance methods such as paper, IC, QR code, and promissory note.
3. Applicable baths and ineligible private/special baths
4. Opening and closing times, last entry date, closing days
5. Lost tickets, reissue, re-entry, and refund procedures

Some areas, like Kinosaki Onsen, make it easy for guests to enjoy public baths, while others, like Kurokawa Onsen, are known for their system of allowing guests to choose from multiple baths at their inn. However, the name, price, validity period, and eligibility of the tickets may change. Please reconfirm the latest conditions when making your reservation and at check-in.

If the ticket is displayed on a smartphone, prepare for battery failure or communication problems. Whether or not screen saving is permitted depends on the operator's policy, so do not make your own judgment and follow the instructions. The total travel expenses areBudget for a hot spring tripThe tax on accommodation isHot Spring Tax GuideWe'll consider them separately.

Create a reasonable route by working backward from the opening hours.

This includes not only the distance, but also the time for undressing, washing, resting, and checking in. Please be sure not to be late for dinner.Dinner time at the innwithPublic bath usage hoursI will also check that.A night stroll through a hot spring townIn the morning朝散歩These safety conditions are repeated.

Instead of aiming to visit many places, start by selecting a few nearby facilities. A practical plan is to switch to footbaths, walks, or the hotel's bath if some are crowded or closed. (This is especially true if you're only doing a day trip.)How to use the day-trip hot springsPlease also check this.

Items to bring: Keep things small and separate wet items

Soap, shampoo, hair dryers, cosmetics, cotton swabs, lockers, and currency exchange/cashless payment options vary from bathhouse to bathhouse. Even if you arrive from a ryokan (Japanese inn) with many amenities, the same facilities may not be available at the public bathhouse.Towels from the innwithWhat to bring to a day trip to a hot springWe'll divide the preparations accordingly.

Please check with the inn to see if you can take the yukata, obi, haori, towel, basket, and geta outside the inn. Even if the inn's name is on the rental items, it does not mean that you can leave them at the public bath. Wet towels should be placed in a bag and returned to the return location designated by the inn.

Please place your wallet, smartphone, and room key in a lockable locker or follow the facility's instructions. Do not leave valuables in the changing room basket, and large luggage should be placed in a locker.Luggage storage.

How to use a public bath: 8 steps from check-in to exit

1. Check the business hours, terms of use, and no photography policy at the entrance.
2. Present your ticket or pay the fee and check the equipment.
3. Store your shoes and valuables in the designated location.
4. Undress and place everything except the small towel in a locker or similar place.
5. Wash your body with hot water or in the washing area before entering the bath.
6. Do not put towels in the bathtub; use quietly.
7. Get up according to your physical condition and avoid wetting the changing room.
8. Check for forgotten items, rehydrate, and take a break.

The Japan Tourism Agency provides guidance on using hot springs in inns, advising that the basics are to undress, wash your body before entering the bath, and not to put towels in the bath. Public baths also prioritize posting notices at the facility.Japanese hot spring etiquettePlease Confirm.

There are also bathing areas with only showers, washing areas, and areas for rinsing off. Please refrain from reserving spots, return wash tubs and chairs, and tie up your hair if you have long hair so that it does not enter the bathtub. Avoid loud noises, swimming, washing clothes, and eating or drinking in the bathtub.

Boundaries and safety when walking in a yukata and geta sandals

JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) is promoting the experience of visiting the public baths in Kinosaki Onsen while wearing a yukata and geta (wooden sandals). However, this attire is not permitted at all hot spring resorts and establishments. Consideration must be given to the dress code of restaurants and tourist facilities, the availability of rentals at accommodations, and the need to prevent the yukata from becoming disheveled.Guide to yukata (Japanese inn robes)In can be confirmed.

Geta (wooden clogs) can be slippery on wet cobblestones, slopes, stairs, and icy surfaces. If walking becomes difficult, do not force yourself and change into shoes. In winter, be careful not to catch a chill after bathing; in summer, be careful not to get heatstroke; and in rainy weather, be careful not to get the hem of your yukata wet. Do not travel long distances in a yukata. After sunset, choose well-lit routes and decide on a meeting place in case you get separated from your companions.

The time to return to the inn isHotel curfew / nighttime entranceWe will check. Even if there is no curfew, there may be separate conditions regarding front desk service hours and entrance locking.

Take breaks when bathing continuously, depending on how you feel.

When visiting various public baths, be careful of overheating, dehydration, fatigue, and falls, as you will be moving around and bathing repeatedly. If you have any concerns, such as having a pre-existing medical condition, being pregnant, taking medication, having recently consumed alcohol, having a fever, or feeling unwell, prioritize seeking guidance from a medical professional or facility, and it may be necessary to refrain from bathing.

It's impossible to determine the appropriate number of turns or bathing time for everyone using the same numbers.Health and safety during hot spring tripswithHot spring trip and drinkingBased on this information, we will cancel the activity depending on our physical condition that day. Drinking the spring water is not the same as drinking the water used for bathing; it should only be done in places where drinking the spring water is permitted and the method is clearly stated.

Please check each facility for information regarding child-friendly, tattoo-friendly, and wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Restrictions on children using the opposite-sex bathroom vary depending on local ordinances, facility regulations, age, height, etc. We also check for parental supervision, diapers, baby baths, baby chairs, and rest areas. Please be careful of hot water, slippery floors, deep bathtubs, and children running out from the changing room.Family-friendly hot spring inns,Hot springs with babiesI'll consider that as well.

Tattoo policies are not uniform throughout the entire hot spring town. While the JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) guide to Kinosaki provides helpful information for travelers with tattoos, it's essential to check the latest regulations at each individual bathhouse. Do not make assumptions about the permissibility of covering tattoos.Tattoos and hot springsCompare the private baths and the baths in your room.

Steps, handrails, bath wheelchairs, caregiver gender, private bathrooms, and rest chairs vary from facility to facility. Even if a facility is advertised as "barrier-free," we will specifically communicate the user's requirements and check everything from the entrance to the bathtub. For more details...Barrier-Free Hot Spring GuidePlease refer to.

When your plans are disrupted due to closures, overcrowding, or bad weather.

If you arrive at the entrance only to find it closed, do not look for unofficial shortcuts or guest-only entrances; instead, switch to an alternative. During peak hours, there may be a shortage of lockers in the changing rooms or entry restrictions. Follow the instructions of the reception staff, and if you cannot wait, change your plans to use the hotel's public bath, footbath, or stroll around the hot spring town.

During snow, heavy rain, strong winds, extreme heat, or freezing conditions, the number of public baths will be reduced, and nearby locations will be prioritized. Don't rely solely on your smartphone at night; save the accommodation's address, phone number, and map. For overall travel preparations...What to bring on a hot spring tripThe travel plan isHow to walk around a hot spring townIn can be confirmed.

If you realize you've left something behind, inform the reception or operator of the name of the bathhouse, the time of use, and a description of the item. If you lose valuables, also contact your accommodation and have your cards or devices deactivated as necessary. Before rushing back to the next bathhouse, make sure you have a safe place to organize the contact procedures.

When you encounter a problem, check it on the spot and switch to the appropriate solution.

Do not attempt to disassemble or operate any malfunctioning tickets or equipment yourself; instead, inform the reception staff of the situation. If you have difficulty communicating, briefly indicate the name of the bathhouse, the name of your accommodation, the screen showing your ticket, and what you need to know. As the public bathhouse is also a place of daily life for local residents, please do not block the entrance or changing rooms, and wait patiently for assistance.

Public Bathhouse Hopping FAQ