Onsen? What's that? The word 'onsen' is Japanese for 'hot springs' and often describes the bathing facilities that occur around the thousands of hot springs in Japan. When using an onsen, though, there is a very particular etiquette you must follow. Here's the order you should do things in (this comes from experience!).

• Bring your own small towel and soap.
• When you arrive, remove your shoes before you step onto the wooden grate/grill that will be on the floor near the lockers.
• Put your shoes into an unoccupied locker and take off ALL your clothing. Entering the onsen wearing clothing, including bathing suits, implies you are dirty under the covered bits. Save yourself embarrassment and the risk of insulting Japanese custom and just be naked - everyone else is.
• Head over to the washing area and wash yourself COMPLETELY, including your hair. You are expected to be immaculately clean when you enter the onsen itself so make sure you are. Without making a fuss make sure it's obvious you really are clean. Don't EVER use soap or shampoo in the onsen itself.
• If the onsen is 'co-ed' you are advised to cover your private parts while you're walking from the wash area to the baths.
• Pick a clear spot in the bath and kneel down near edge before you enter the water. Splash a little water on the edge of the bath - this makes it yours.
• If people look at you while you're doing any of this it's fine to nod politely or bow but DO NOT STARE. Respect other's privacy and modesty. Remember that a very large part of the Japanese custom is built on respect.
• Enter the water slowly without making any noise or making waves in the water. People are usually trying to relax after a hard day's work.
• If you're with a friend talk quietly. As another website I read says, 'spoken Japanese is less loud than spoken English'.
• Don't care that you're naked. As I said, everyone else is and nobody cares. Really.
• If someone talks to you, answer politely. It's fine to have a conversation while in the onsen.
• When you're done, towel yourself off, dress quietly, put on your shoes when you're off the wooden grate/grill and leave.

That's it. I was stupidly nervous before I went to an onsen for the first time but once you get over the fact that nobody cares that you're naked, it's a very liberating experience for us wussy westerners. :)

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