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Mar.17 2018　　 Manners in Japanese hot springs for foreigners 　English version　Prohibited reprint　　　Japanese ver. is here

　For Japanese people, bathing is not just a matter of washing the body.

　Because Japan is surrounded by the ocean and has rainy and humid climate, mainly due to aeration the residence was wooden from long ago.

　 For the partition of the room a thin paper slide-type door for lighting called Shoji is used , and light, thin, easily removable partitions which are stacked paper called Fusuma are used.

　The upper part of these partitions may be openings called Ranma in some cases.

　Japanese houses including soil walls are made of highly hygroscopic material as a whole and are open and suitable for ventilation, so it is suitable for a humid climate in Japan, but in the houses it is hot in summer and cold in winter.

　Therefore, the purpose of Japanese taking a bath was to wash sweat a lot in summer and warm cold body in winter.

　Until the early Showa era, people did not have a bath at home, and many public baths called Sentoh were used, but there was also a place of communication.

　In the rural areas, farmers also went to hot springs in distant places with acquaintances close to farming period, and there were customs to stay for a long period of more than a week.

　Hot springs often have good ingredients for health, farmers heal bodies that have been overworked in harsh agricultural work, entered the bathtub many times in the hot springs in cold weather, and the mind also recovered their bodies.

　Therefore, for Japanese people, the bath means a bathtub that can soak the whole body in plentiful hot water, not only washing the body, but also for the purpose of warming up the body in cold weather and relaxing , even at the place of communication.

　I briefly described what the baths and hot springs mean for the Japanese.

　I would like foreigners trying to enter a hot spring in Japan to enjoy hot springs as well as Japanese.

　Let me teach you how to enjoy hot springs and manners for foreigners mainly entering hot springs.

　As there are many volcanoes in Japan, hot springs are located in various places, and in recent years large-scale hot springs are also built in urban areas.

　The value of the hot spring is the ingredient, temperature and quantity, but it is said that the hot springs that do not dilute the original hot water that gushes out and do not reuse are good and "Gensen-kakenagashi (not to dilute and recycle)" is said.

　In addition, large-scale hot springs in urban areas have facilities such as swimming pool, sauna and massage, while hot springs in old mountains are often able to enjoy natural scenery such as beautiful mountain streams and trees.

　 I would like to recommend the former hot spring of the latter.Wooden houses are old and facilities are inadequate, but I think that people can relax in nature.

　In the outdoor bathtub, spring sees Sakura, autumn looks at autumnal leaves, and in winter you can sometimes see the snow scene.In addition, we can enjoy the change of the four seasons depending on the place and time such as the sunrise, the sunset, the starry sky etc.

　In particular, points to be noted when elderly people enter hot springs are described below.

　 Since hot springs are often a little hot from 40 degrees to 42 degrees, avoid hunger so as not to become low sugar, take water so as not to be in a dehydrated state, put hot water from the foot rather than put the body in a sudden hot water such as preventing sudden rise in blood pressure,the same precautions as in entering a normal bathtub are required, .

From this point, when entering a bathtub in a hot spring, you should wash your head and body first and then enter.

　However, since I want to taste the pleasure when I soaked my body in the bathtub, I went into the bathtub first, thoroughly warmed the body, I got out of the bathtub, washed the whole body and like to enter the bathtub in the end.

　It is preferable that the lady drops make-up before entering the bathtub.

　Also, women with long hair often put hair on top of the head so that hair does not get soaked in hot springs.

　Therefore, a woman often washes her whole body before entering a bathtub, often wrapping wet hair with a towel.

　Also, women should avoid bathtubs during menstruation.

　Of course, both men and women avoid excessive alcohol before bathing.However, there are cases where services can be offered for drinking sake while immersing in a bathtub.

　 What you need when entering a hot spring is a towel for washing your body.Thin one is easy to use.

　A plastic bag is also necessary to take wet towels back.

　Note that this towel can be purchased at a controlled hot spring.

　 Bath towels are bulky so I do not use them on hot springs, but bring them if necessary.Sometimes you can borrow it for a fee.

　Towels are prepared when staying in a hot spring inn, and wash towels can be taken home.

　Shampoo and body shampoo are mostly installed. Hair dryer may not be available.

　Valuables can deposit in the hot springs, which even managed if there is no coin lockers.

　In addition, it is difficult to use shampoo etc. when soft water faucet is not installed in old hot spring.

　In large-scale hot springs, swimming suit may be worn in a facility such as a pool.

　In Taiwan's hot springs, men and women enter a bathtub with a lot of them, so many are wearing bathing suits.

　 In some hot springs of mixed sex in Japan, there are cases in which it is possible to wear bathing-only clothes for women, but in most cases it is not permitted to wear swimsuits or clothes in bathtubs, including bath towels.

　People who are not used to hot springs in mixed baths should better look it up in advance.

　In large hot-spring lodges and large-scale hot springs, families and friends can sometimes enter hot springs in their own rooms that is called family bath, but it does not reach the feeling of liberation of the large public bath.

　 About tattooing, in many cases bathing is prohibited in Japan.If it is partial it will be tolerated.In Japan, a tattoo was a symbol of a group of criminals called Yakuza, so it was traditionally excluded.

　You may speak to someone who is strangled in the tub.

　Japanese people often can not speak English, but if you pronounce by separating words, you can communicate with each other.

　There are many tourists in famous hot springs, but there are many local people in small hot springs.

　 There are many tourists in famous hot springs, but there are many local people in small hot springs.If local information can be obtained at the hot springs it is good.

　It would be fun if you could get information such as local food and events.

　In addition, when staying in a hot spring inn, it is common that meals are served in the morning and evening.

　The price is indicated per person rather than per room.

　The price for entering only hot springs is about 500 yen per person to about 2000 yen.There is a case that bathing hot water is only for guests, there are cases where you refuse a customer with only hot water in a crowded day or time zone.

　Manners in the bathroom, put hot water enough on the body before entering the bath to keep the bathtub clean.

　 Especially after washing the lower body with hot water.Do not immerse washing towel in bathtub.When accompanied by children, leave the toilet before bathing.

　Be careful not to splash water or shampoo splashes to people around you when using a shower in a wash place.

　After washing the tub and chair, wash it and organize it properly.

　Hot water and water of a faucet in a washing place are often tap water without ingredients.

In order to expect the effect closer to the ingredients of the hot springs it is common to finally be pickled again in the bathtub.

　Wipe the whole body water drop well with a wash towel in the bathroom, so that water drops do not drip and return to the undressing room.

Otherwise the floor of the dressing room will get wet.I wrote a lot, but Japanese people do not know about manners so you do not have to worry too much.

　 Depending on the season, in the undressing room to cool down moderately so as not to sweat.In cold weather, wear sufficiently warm clothing.

　There may be people thinking that manners are troublesome because they are going to go to hot springs, but in short it is basically not to disturb other people.

　It is not limited to hot springs but basic rules and manners for people to live.

　I would like to know the manners and enjoy the hot springs.

　Reprints of all or part of this document are prohibited.