How To Enjoy Onsen in Japan As A Family

Enjoying onsen in Japan is not just for those riding solo. You can get the family in on it too!

When the weather turns chilly, families in Japan flock to the nearest local onsen (hot spring) to warm up, relax and detox the body. Visiting an onsen in Japan as a family is one of the coziest ways to embrace the season—what could be more lovely than dipping your entire body in a steaming, mineral-rich pool and then bundling up afterward?

In addition to communal relaxation, there’s the idea of hadaka no tsukiai (naked communication) at the onsen. Japanese people believe that when everyone’s in their birthday suits, there are few barriers to open and honest communication.

In a seismically volatile country like Japan, onsen are scattered across the length and breadth of the archipelago. However, it is possible to visit famous onsen towns relatively close to Tokyo. If you’re up for a relaxing day trip, try:

• Hakone (Kanagawa)
• Yugawara (Kanagawa)
• Atami (Shizuoka)
• Ito (Shizuoka)
• Kusatsu (Gunma)
• Kinugawa (Tochigi)

Why not introduce your family to this Japanese tradition this season? Here’s our guide on how to enjoy onsen in Japan with the family.

Public Onsen: So Many Rules!

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In Japan, onsen can be private or public. Public onsen are, by and large, affordable. However, one drawback is that they are usually divided by gender. Generally, however, a child can accompany a parent of the opposite gender until they are of elementary age (6 years and up). This practice may vary depending on the onsen, so please check before booking.

If you’re thinking of visiting a public onsen, you and your family need to be aware of the rules, especially if you have young children. For hygiene and onsen etiquette reasons, here are some guidelines to help you enjoy onsen with your family in Japan.

1. Babies and kids wearing diapers (including swim diapers) are not allowed in the pool. Young children must be potty-trained. It’s recommended that they go to the bathroom and scrub their bodies thoroughly before entering the hot spring.
2. Remind your kids that it’s rude to point, stare and laugh at the naked bodies on display. If this presents a challenge, consider renting a private bath or using an onsen facility that allows swimsuits. 
3. Teach your kids that the itty-bitty towel they get at the onsen is for wiping the body and covering privates (in the front only). However, these towels should not be allowed in the pool! Teach them to put it on the side of the pool or on top of the head.
4. Children with long hair should tie it up so it doesn’t touch the water. 
5. Public onsen require kids to be on their absolute best behavior—no loud talking, screaming, etc. 
6. There should be no running and horsing around, as the area around the pool can become very slippery.
7. Kids should enter the pool gently, without splashing and making a scene.
8. Warn your kids that the water will be hot. Test before entering and don’t stay in too long. Soaking for about five minutes at a time is probably the best approach.
9. You shouldn’t use an onsen if you have open cuts or sores on your body.
10. And of course, don’t drink the water!

Private Onsen: Much More Family-Friendly

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If you rent kashikiri onsen (private bath), particularly kazokuburo (family bath) by the hour, you don’t have to worry about so many rules and gender segregation. The entire family can get naked, that is, if you’re comfortable doing that with your partner and your kids. These private baths typically require reservations, so it’s best to book in advance.

If you’d really like to prolong the experience, why not try a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) stay with an adjoining private bath? This is perfect for some overnight family downtime.

Remember to keep the private bath clean! Remind those kids to use the toilet first and then shower before entering the pool at all times.

Swimsuit-Friendly Onsen

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If you and your family members haven’t achieved that level of intimacy yet, don’t fret. There’s still another option. It is possible to visit an onsen without all your bits and bobs out. However, these are far from the norm and tend to operate more like theme parks than traditional hot springs.

A place where you and your family can enjoy an onsen in Japan without getting your kit off is Hakone Kowakien Yunessun in Kanagawa prefecture. This facility includes 23 hot spring baths, water slides, caves, a waterfall and specialty wine/coffee/sake/green tea baths. For the unprepared, Takaragawa Onsen in Gunma Prefecture offers body coverings for the whole family. It features outdoor mixed-gender baths set amidst spectacular scenery.

If getting into a swimsuit is still too risqué for your family members, feel free to dip only your tootsies in ashiyu, free footbaths found in many onsen towns.

Excited to experience more onsen? Be sure to check out these other helpful onsen guides:

• 5 Tattoo-Friendly Onsen in Tokyo
• 12 Breathtaking Onsen Resorts To Visit This Autumn

Have you been to onsen in Japan with your family yet? How was it?