Michelle says, ‘Don’t miss out on a naked hot springs experience!’
“I remember the steam rising to kiss my rose-coloured cheeks as snowflakes danced and settled into my hair. It was all so serene, so calming, SO AWKWARD!” - Michelle Seto
Michelle in a yukata robe ready to go down to the hot springs.
If you ever go to Japan, don’t leave until you’ve had a traditional, naked hot springs experience! I was very lucky to have the chance to bathe in the Kotohira hot springs at the New Star Hotel Yamanakako ryokan (a traditional Japanese style hotel) with a dazzling view of Fuji Mountain in the distance. The heat of the water instantly relaxes your muscles and your worries just seem to drift far far away.
I remember the steam rising to kiss my rose-coloured cheeks as snowflakes danced and settled into my hair. It was all so serene, so calming, SO AWKWARD!
I don’t mean to be a prude, but being butt naked with a bunch of strangers isn’t the most relaxing scenario I can come up with! But I must advise, GET OVER IT and you’ll experience the most tranquil, soothing bath of your life!
View of Fuji Mountain from the hotel.
Here are a few tips I can offer if you’re a bit timid like me:
1. Act like it’s not a big deal: It’s okay to be uncomfortable, but just act like you’re not. By trying to cover up or being all weird about your body, you’ll only draw more attention to yourself. Also, by hiding yourself, you kind of imply that you find it shameful to bare all, which in turn may make your fellow bath mates feel uncomfortable or insecure about being naked around you. You may actually inadvertently ruin their experience.
My cousin and I made this unintentional mistake when we went to the bath house for the first time together. We were very self conscious and freaking out about who got in first, telling each other “don’t look at my tits”, “okay I’m ready,” “NOT YET,”“DON’T LOOK!” I noticed out of the corner of my eye, during my anxiety ridden disrobing, that the other ladies seemed to try to cover up more seeing that I was so anal about being naked :/ My Bad. It also didn’t help that the water was so hot and it took me so damn long to get my insecure butt fully in!
Open-air bath - How relaxing 
!
2. Don’t worry about your body/body hair: No one cares if you’re fat, or if you didn’t shave. Just be clean. Remember to rinse yourself off before you get in (or fully shower if you’re dirty!). I would actually advise you NOT TO SHAVE down there. Turns out the Brazilian hasn’t really caught on in Japan. On top of already feeling insecure about my naked body, I felt like a skanky ho with my business seemingly all ready….for business! Hahaha
3. Ladies, relax and feel the feminine energy encircle you: There’s something about being naked with a bunch of other women that’s very comforting and rejuvenating. Women from around the world share a common experience dealing with stress from family, friends, lovers, and society. Just sitting there naked together, collectively steaming away our stressors, somehow felt therapeutic! I imagine guys would feel the same in the men’s bath house….after they’ve sized up each other’s wangs! HAHA
All in all, it’s an experience you don’t want to miss out on. Another quick tip, don’t rinse off after you’re done. You want the rich minerals from the hot springs to absorb and revitalize your skin! You don’t want all that time sitting there painfully restraining your darting eyes to go to waste do you?!
Cute outer yukata jacket thing for when it’s cold!
I guess it’s slightly different for girls. I went to the Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama and was the only westerner in the baths at the time. Most of the other men didn’t seam to care I was there (much better than ’sizing each other up’!). Also the body hair thing isn’t an issue with the guys. Anyway it was an enjoyable half hour spent in the old bath house (only around 15 mins in the hot water, I could only take so much!). Recommended to anyone visiting Japan.
O how I miss onsens! One of the best things about living in Japan. The best were the outdoor baths; with snow all around you, the hot water feels even better!
I agree. The only thing to do is to suck up your embarrassment and just go with the flow. Follow others’ lead and don’t let your body consciousness become an issue. Sure, your big white girl butt will be the biggest rump in the bath, but after a couple minutes in the water you’ll forget all about that. You’ve got relaxing to do!
Great post!
Cheers, Hilary
I miss onsens so much! I would treat myself to an onsen day about twice a month when I was living in Japan. I lived near Hakone so there was plenty to choose from! ~ I never really felt awkward and i’m as pale as pale can be with blond hair… i thought for sure i’d get stares because i really did stand out. The ladies that I shared the baths with were always very friendly and didn’t pay much attention. Sometimes little kids would look at me oddly but I just thought that was funny.
I like your guide… I had never really considered the “to shave or not to shave” question haha… maybe If i had read this a couple years ago I would have given it more thought.
A Japan experience really isn’t complete with a trip to a public bath house and/or hot spring.
Just discovered your blog today. Nice post.
I’m reading this in the lobby of an onsen myself. This is the only one I’ve been to with wifi and the connection abysmal.
The onsen is great, however.
um..I have a question..is it really ok to not shave down there? I mean..wont I get stared at? >w< its so embarrassing!
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