If you’re staying overnight at a local person’s home in Japan, you’ll likely be invited to take a shower or enjoy a relaxing bath. However, you’ll want to be aware of some key differences in bathing etiquette between Japan and the UK. In Japan, bathing is more than just a routine—it’s a deeply ingrained cultural practice that focuses on cleanliness, relaxation, and respect for shared spaces.
Whether you’re having a bath in someone’s home, visiting a traditional inn (旅館 ryokan), or experiencing a sentō (銭湯 public bath) or onsen (温泉 hot spring), understanding the etiquette will make your experience more enjoyable and culturally enriching.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the important points to consider before taking a bath in a Japanese home. These guidelines will help you navigate the experience with ease, ensuring that you not only respect the customs but also make the most of the opportunity to enjoy one of Japan’s most beloved traditions.
1. Take Off Your Clothes in the Datsuiba (Changing Area)
In a traditional Japanese bathroom setup, there are typically two separate areas: the datsuiba (脱衣場), where you undress, and the yokushitsu (浴室), the bathing area that contains the shower, bath, and space for washing. The datsuiba is a designated changing area just outside the bathroom, where you’ll remove all your clothes before entering the bathing space. In Japanese culture, bathing is seen as a private, purifying experience, and nudity in these spaces is both normal and expected. Public baths are separated by gender.
The changing area or datsuiba is a place for both changing and where you neatly leave your clothes and belongings, so they stay safe and dry. In a private home, you may simply find a basket or designated area for your things. In a public bath then may you find lockers or a basket. Lockers are more common in ryokan, a Japanese traditional inn, whereas public baths used for local people are more likely to have baskets. This changing area is also where you’ll return to after your bath to dry off and get dressed and public baths also have hair dryers here.
Before heading into the bathing area or yokushitsu, make sure to bring only a small towel with you for washing, as larger towels are typically left in the datsuiba. It’s important to note that, in Japan, bathers are expected to be completely nude when entering the yokushitsu but at public baths, the small towel is held in front of the body for modesty.
2. Wash Your Body Before Entering the Bathtub
One of the most important aspects of Japanese bathing etiquette is washing your body thoroughly before getting into the tub. Unlike in the UK, where baths are for both washing and soaking, in Japan the bath is used purely for relaxation only and the yokushitsu in the bathroom or public bath has an area for specifically washing before entering the bath.
The water is shared by everyone, even in a private house, and it’s considered essential to be fully clean before soaking in the tub. So the emphasis on cleanliness ensures that the experience is both pleasant and respectful for everyone in the household.
In a private home, you’ll find a shower area beside the bathtub (and sometimes a small stool) where you wash your body and hair. It’s customary to use a handheld shower or a small bucket to rinse off, making sure all soap and shampoo are thoroughly washed away. You should avoid getting any water from the shower and washing your body in the bath. This step is all about maintaining the purity and cleanliness of the bathwater for everyone who uses it after you.
At a public bath, the washing area has a set of individual shower stalls for washing before entering the bath. Each stall has a stool, shower head, soaps and shampoo. There may also be bowls which you use to rinse yourself or your towel.
The first thing to do is rinse down the stool and then seat yourself on the stool. The stool is used to help limit splashing your neighbours’ shower stalls, so do not shower standing up. You can also use your small towel as a cloth. As often people will be waiting then try not to take too long, just wash your body and hair then move on to the bath. Before moving on to the bath, it is important to leave the stall clean and tidy.
3. Taking a Bath
The act of bathing in Japan is more than just a routine—it’s a way to relax and unwind at the end of the day and in the case of a public bath can be social. This step is purely about enjoyment and relaxation and unlike many Western countries (UK etc) is not at all related to hygiene. In the West, bathing in a hot tub is similar in that it is also purely about relaxation.
When you enter the yokushitsu (bathing area), in a private home, you’ll likely notice that the bathtub is covered with a lid. This lid is used to help retain the heat of the water, as the bath is typically prepared in advance and shared by all members of the household. Before you get into the bath, you’ll need to remove the lid and place it neatly in the washing area.
You should also avoid getting the small towel you used for modesty and washing in the bath. It is usually either left by the bath or placed on top of the head. You should also tie up long hair to avoid it touching the water.
Some public baths have different types of baths, with a choice of temperature or a jacuzzi or baths with different minerals or herbs. Some onsen or ryokan may also have a bath outside in the fresh air.
4. Keep the Bathwater for the Next Person
Unlike in the UK, where each person might drain and refill the bathtub after use, in a Japanese household, the same bathwater is shared among all family members. The water is used only for soaking and relaxation, as everyone washes thoroughly before entering the tub. This ensures that the bathwater remains clean and ready for the next person.
After you’ve enjoyed your soak, it’s important to put the lid back on the bathtub to keep the water warm for the next family member. The lid helps to retain heat, allowing multiple people to enjoy the bath without having to refill or reheat the water. In some households, there may even be a built-in reheating function to maintain the temperature.
This practice not only reflects Japanese values of consideration for others but also embodies a mindful approach to resource conservation. The idea is to share both the experience and the water, making the bath a communal yet personal way to relax. By replacing the lid after your bath, you’re helping to preserve the water for others to enjoy the same relaxing soak, in line with traditional Japanese bathing etiquette.
In Conclusion
Bathing in Japan is more than just hygiene—it’s a practice steeped in tradition, mindfulness, and respect for others. From carefully undressing in the datsuiba and washing thoroughly before entering the tub to sharing the same bathwater with family members, each step is guided by a deep appreciation for cleanliness and consideration.
These practices reflect Japan’s strong sense of respect for shared spaces and resources, turning what may seem like a simple bath into a thoughtful and relaxing experience. By embracing these customs, you’ll feel more confident and prepared when visiting a Japanese home, public bath, or traditional inn, and you’ll deepen your appreciation for the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Useful Japanese Phrases
Finally, here are some useful Japanese phrases you can say before and after having a bath in Japan.
Before having a bath:
You can say: 「お先にお風呂いただきます。」(Osakini ofuro itadakimasu)
This phrase is polite and means “I’ll take a bath before you” or “I’ll go ahead and use the bath.” It’s commonly used to acknowledge that you’re using the bath first, especially in the context of sharing bath time with others.
After having a bath:
You can say: 「良いお風呂でした。」(Yoi ofuro deshita)
This translates to “That was a good bath,” and while it’s correct, a more natural phrase would be: 「お風呂、ありがとうございました。」(Ofuro, arigatou gozaimashita)
This means “Thank you for the bath” and is more commonly used to express gratitude to the household for letting you use the bath, especially as a guest.
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