In Japan, bathing is more than just a way to get clean—it’s an ancient tradition elevated to an art form. Long regarded as both a physical and spiritual experience, communal bathing has historically ...

Photo: Supplied Etiquette: The majority of onsen in Japan are gender-segregated but local public bath-houses in regional areas may have mixed bathing. A small gauzy towel is usually provided at ...

Neither do you wear a bathing suit in a Japanese onsen. It is completely normal to bathe in the onsens naked. Your ryokan will have provided you with a small onsen towel, but it’s not for ...

Discover everything you need to know for your first onsen in Japan: from etiquette and pre-soak rituals, to top hot springs ...

Across Japan, different kinds of public bathing ... keep in mind that these are the only kind of hot springs that allow towels in the water. Regular onsen customers keep their washcloths out ...

Even the macaques love the onsens of Japan. Picture: Unsplash/Katharine Crompton Before entering the bath, you are obliged to wash and shampoo thoroughly. You will be given a big towel and a ...