Everyone shares the bathwater, and to keep it clean, it’s important to wash and rinse yourself thoroughly before getting into the bath. Jumping in, swimming, or talking in a loud voice are frowned upon and should be avoided so as not to cause trouble for other bathers.
And when you leave the bathroom to return to the changing room, don’t forget to towel off excess water. Dripping water onto the changing room floor makes it slippery and dangerous. Other recommended practices are to avoid bathing after drinking alcohol, after sports where a lot of energy has been expended, or immediately before or after eating. It’s also best not to bathe more than three times in one day. One 30-minute bath supposedly consumes the same amount of energy as running 1,000 meters at full speed, and bathers are advised to rest sufficiently and replenish fluids after bathing.
But most of all, be open to social interaction with other bathers. Don’t just keep to yourself or your small group: the best benefit of onsen bathing is the chance to chat with local people who are there to relax and enjoy themselves too.
This is all you need to know to be a hot springs connoisseur, and you can share your knowledge with others too. All you need now is to actually go to an onsen and enjoy yourself to your heart’s content.
