You might have seen the famous photos of snow monkeys relaxing in a Japanese hot spring. Indeed, onsens, or hot spring baths, are extremely popular in Japan. But when you visit an onsen, no, you won’t be bathing with monkeys.
Bathing in hot springs is a sacred tradition in Japan. The volcanic archipelago has approximately 25,000 hot springs sources and about 3,000 onsen establishments. It’s a way of purifying the body and the soul. So approach an onsen visit respectfully; don’t expect a hot tub party.
On a recent trip to Hokkaido, I bumbled through my first onsen experiences, looking to locals for clues. While avoiding staring, of course. Here are some tips to make your onsen visits a little smoother.