A Guide to Onsens in Japan for Foreigners: Etiquette 101

How to Visit an Onsen Without Offending Anyone

To visit an onsen in Japan correctly, you must strip completely naked in the changing room, wash your body thoroughly at a seated shower station before entering the water, and ensure your small towel never touches the bathwater. It is a peaceful, silent experience where following these few unspoken rules will help you blend in like a local. Landing at Narita or Haneda with a working data connection makes finding these hidden gems significantly easier, so see plans before you depart Sydney or Auckland.

Why the Onsen Experience is Essential

For many Australians and Kiwis, the idea of a public bath is, frankly, a bit daunting. We are used to board shorts and bikinis, not standing around in the buff with strangers. But if you skip the onsen, you are skipping the soul of Japan. These natural hot springs are where the Japanese go to reset, heal, and connect. Whether you are trekking through the snow in Hokkaido or exploring the backstreets of Kyoto, an onsen is the ultimate recovery session. To find the best ones, you will need a reliable data connection, as many of the best 'secret' spots are tucked away in rural areas where English signs are rare. While you are planning your adventure, you might also find our Munduk Waterfalls Guide: Best Spots to Visit in North Bali useful if you love nature-based travel.

The Golden Rules: Step-by-Step Etiquette

1. Entering and the Changing Room

When you enter an onsen or a sento (public bathhouse), the first thing you do is remove your shoes. There will be lockers or shelves specifically for footwear. You then head to the changing room (marked with 男 for men, usually blue, and 女 for women, usually red). This is where the nerves usually kick in. You take off everything. No swimmers, no underwear, nothing. Place your clothes in a basket or locker. You are allowed to carry a small 'modesty towel' into the bathing area, but that is it.

2. The Washing Station (The Most Important Part)

Before you even think about touching the hot spring water, you must wash. Japan is a culture of cleanliness, and the bathwater is for soaking, not cleaning. Head to the rows of small stools and showerheads. Sit down on the stool—washing while standing is considered rude as you might splash others. Scrub every inch of your body with soap and shampoo. Rinse off completely. If you leave even a bubble of soap on your skin, you are breaking the cardinal rule.

3. Entering the Bath

Now you are ready to soak. Move slowly. Onsen water can be incredibly hot, often between 40°C and 44°C. Do not dive in and do not splash. As for that small towel you brought in? Do not let it touch the water. Most locals fold it and place it on top of their heads. It looks a bit silly, but it keeps the towel dry and out of the communal water.

4. Post-Soak and Drying Off

When you are done, do not just walk back to the locker room dripping wet. Use your small towel to wipe off as much water as possible before stepping back onto the changing room floor. This keeps the mats dry for everyone else. Once you are back at your locker, you can use your larger towel to dry off completely.

The Tattoo Question

This is the biggest hurdle for many Aussies and Kiwis. Historically, tattoos were associated with the Yakuza (Japanese mafia), and many onsens still have 'no tattoo' policies. However, things are changing. In major cities, some onsens are becoming 'tattoo-friendly.' If you have small tattoos, you can often cover them with waterproof bandages. If you are heavily inked, it is best to search for 'tattoo-friendly onsen' on Google Maps before you go. Having a high-speed data connection via an eSIM means you can check these reviews on the fly rather than turning up and being turned away.

Staying Connected in the Japanese Countryside

To find the best onsens in places like Hakone, Beppu, or the Kiso Valley, you cannot rely on spotty hotel Wi-Fi. You need a solid mobile network. When you use an AussieRoam eSIM, you are connecting to the best local networks in the country: NTT docomo, Rakuten Mobile, KDDI/au, and SoftBank. NTT docomo, in particular, has incredible reach into the mountainous regions where the best onsens are hidden.

Most travellers from Australia and NZ fall into the trap of using the Telstra International Day Pass or Optus roaming daily charges. These can add up to $10 or $15 a day, and often the data is throttled or capped. With our Japan eSIMs, you get a fixed amount of data or a daily pass that works directly on local 5G towers. You can see plans that range from a simple 1GB for a quick trip to massive 50GB plans for long-term explorers. These are data-only plans, meaning you won't get a local Japanese phone number, but you can still use WhatsApp, Messenger, and FaceTime to call home or book dinner reservations.

Why Local Networks Matter

Japan’s geography is rugged. If you are heading to a remote ryokan (traditional inn) to soak in an outdoor bath (rotenburo), you need a carrier with 'Platinum Band' frequencies that penetrate deep into valleys. NTT docomo is the gold standard for this. When you install your eSIM, your phone will automatically hook into the strongest available signal. You can check how to install your eSIM to see how simple it is to set up before you even leave the airport.

Feature	AussieRoam Japan eSIM	Home Carrier Roaming (Telstra/Optus)
Network	Local 5G (docomo, SoftBank, etc.)	Roaming partner (often slower)
Daily Cost	Low one-off cost	High daily recurring fee
Installation	Instant via QR code	Automatic (but expensive)
Data Limits	High-speed, generous limits	Often throttled after small usage

How to Install Your eSIM Before You Land

You do not want to be fumbling with a physical SIM card or searching for a kiosk at Narita while you are jet-lagged. The best way to do it is to buy your eSIM at the airport in Sydney, Melbourne, or Auckland.

1. Check your phone's compatibility to ensure it supports eSIM technology.
2. Purchase your chosen plan.
3. Scan the QR code sent to your email.
4. Follow the prompts to add the 'Travel' cellular plan.
5. Turn off your home SIM's data roaming to avoid those nasty charges.
6. As soon as the plane wheels touch the tarmac in Japan, turn on your AussieRoam line, and you are online.

This setup allows you to immediately pull up Google Maps to find the Narita Express or the limousine bus to your hotel. If you are also planning a trip to the UK later in the year, you might want to read our guide on the Best Things to Do in Shoreditch London: Art and Food to keep the adventure going.

Data Needs for Your Japan Trip

How much data do you actually need for an onsen-hopping trip?

• Google Maps: Essential for navigating the complex Japanese train system and finding rural bathhouses.
• Google Translate: Vital for reading onsen rules, menus, and signs in rural towns.
• Social Media: Uploading those (non-nude!) photos of the beautiful scenery.
• VOIP Calls: Using WhatsApp or FaceTime to keep in touch with family.

If you are a light user, 3GB to 5GB for a two-week trip is usually plenty. If you are a heavy user who likes to stream Netflix on the Shinkansen, look at the 10GB or 20GB options. We also offer daily passes if you prefer a 'set and forget' approach with a daily data refresh.

The bottom line

Visiting an onsen is a highlight of any trip to Japan. As long as you wash before you soak, keep your towel out of the water, and respect the quiet atmosphere, you will be welcomed with open arms. To make the journey stress-free, skip the expensive home-carrier roaming and grab an AussieRoam eSIM. It gives you the freedom to explore the deepest parts of the Japanese countryside with the confidence of a local 5G connection. Say goodbye to the Telstra Day Pass and hello to more yen for ramen and sake.