Onsen Etiquette & Manners: Is Shaving Facial Hair Allowed?

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Onsen Etiquette & Shaving Manners

It’s one of the most common questions travelers have before stepping into a public bath. The answer might not be as straightforward as you think, and it often surprises first-time visitors.
In this article, we’ll dive into the cultural background, what locals expect, and the etiquette you should know before enjoying an onsen

Table Of Contents
  1. Onsen Etiquette & Shaving Manners

For those who feel uneasy about visiting onsen on their own, our “Rental Japanese” service offers a local guide who will explain the manners and etiquette, and even join you in the bath to guide you through the experience.

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How to Use an Onsen (Hot Spring Bath in Japan)

1.Onsen Etiquette – Rinse Your Body First with Kakeyu

Before entering the bath, rinse your body with warm water (kakeyu) at the shower area. You will usually find a bucket of warm water near the entrance for this purpose. This simple step is enough before soaking, and you can use soap to wash your body more thoroughly afterward. This helps keep the bathwater clean for everyone. For women, it is also customary to remove makeup before entering the bath.

2.Can You Wear a Swimsuit in an Onsen?

Onsens are enjoyed completely naked. For those who feel shy, it’s perfectly fine to hold a small towel in front of your body when walking around outside the bath. Bringing a small towel with you is allowed, but please remember that towels should never be placed in the bathwater.

3.Onsen Etiquette: Towels Should Not Go in the Bath

Keep your towel on your head or beside the bath, never in the water. The small towel used in onsens is about the same size as the ones used for wiping sweat during sports. You can usually rent one for around 200 yen. Some places accept only cash, so it’s a good idea to bring a few coins with you.

4.Onsen Rules and Etiquette for Shaving and Grooming

Japanese baths are for relaxation, not beauty care.
Haircuts are dyeing are not allowed in onsen.
Avoid shaving large areas because it may clog the drains.
Finish any personal care at home and simply relax in the onsen.

👉 For more details, check out our Onsen Etiquette for Women

5.Japanese Onsen Etiquette – Shampoo & Body Soap Guide

Some onsens provide shampoo and body soap for free, but not all do. It’s best to bring your own or purchase them at the reception if available.

6.Onsen Bath Etiquette – Things to Remember When Washing

When washing your body, take a bucket and stool from the provided area and use them at your spot. After you finish, rinse them off with the shower and return them to where you found them. Not everyone remembers to do this, so putting them back shows you are a considerate and well-mannered guest.

7.Onsen Etiquette – Rules When Leaving the Bath

Before leaving the bath, lightly dry your body with your small towel so you don’t drip water everywhere. Squeeze out the towel before stepping out of the bathing area. It’s also convenient to bring a small plastic bag, so you can store your wet towel after use.

If you’d like to challenge yourself to experience sento, Japan’s unique public bath culture, whether alone or with friends, but find it difficult to take the first step in a foreign country, please contact us. We will escort you through the entire experience.

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Final Thoughts

Japanese public baths may seem intimidating at first, but once you understand a few simple rules, the experience becomes much easier. Avoid shaving inside the bathing area, follow the signs, and respect shared spaces. With that, you’ll be ready to enjoy the onsen just like a local.

RENTAL JAPANESE PLAN

A Japanese guide available from just 2 hours.
Same-day bookings are also possible.

Perfect for travelers who want to enjoy Japan but don’t have much time while moving from Tokyo to Osaka.
Ideal for your last day when you’re free with nothing planned.

We are available 24/7 — from midnight to early morning.
We cover almost everything that other guides cannot.

Check out our Rental Japanese Plan here

Want to know more about Onsen Etiquette for Women?
→ Read the full guide here

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