A hot bath is one of the best parts of a trip to Japan. In Tokyo you can visit a neighborhood sento (public bathhouse) for ¥550, and outside the city you can soak in natural hot spring water at an onsen. The rules are simple, and locals will appreciate it if you follow them.
Quick answer
Wash first: wash your whole body at a shower station before you get in the bath.
No swimsuits: everyone bathes naked, and baths are separated by gender.
Small towel: keep it out of the water. Tie up long hair.
No photos in the bath or changing room. Tattoos: rules differ by place, so check first.
Sento and onsen: what is the difference?
| Sento | Onsen | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Usually heated tap or well water; some use natural hot spring water | Natural hot spring water |
| Where | Neighborhoods all over Tokyo | Hot spring towns such as Hakone, and some spas in Tokyo |
| Cost | ¥550 for adults in Tokyo (from July 2024) | Usually more than a sento |
| Feel | Local and simple | Relaxing, often with outdoor baths |
Step by step
- Take off your shoes at the entrance and put them in a shoe locker.
- Pay at the front desk or a ticket machine. Most sento sell towels, shampoo and soap, and some provide shampoo and soap for free, so ask or bring your own.
- Go to the correct side. The men’s side is usually marked 男 and the women’s side 女.
- Undress completely in the changing room and put your clothes in a locker or basket. Swimsuits and underwear are not allowed in the bath.
- Wash your whole body at a shower station before you get in the bath. Sit on the stool, and rinse off the soap completely.
- Soak and relax. If you feel too hot, get out and drink some cool water.
- Wipe yourself with your small towel before going back into the changing room, so the floor stays dry.
Bath rules
- Keep your small towel out of the water. It is for washing and for covering yourself on the way in. Many people fold it on their head.
- Tie up long hair or wrap it in a towel so it does not touch the water.
- Do not swim or splash. Baths are for quiet relaxing, so keep your voice down too.
- No photos. Using phones and taking photos in the changing room and bath is not allowed.
- No alcohol before bathing. It can affect your judgment in hot water.
Tattoos
Rules on tattoos differ from place to place. Some traditional onsen do not accept people with tattoos, though this is starting to change. At Tokyo’s neighborhood sento, each bathhouse sets its own rule. Some places allow small tattoos covered with a sticker. Check each place’s website or ask the staff before you go. See our tattoos and onsen guide.
Private baths
If you do not want to bathe with others, or if you have tattoos, look for a private bath (kashikiri-buro) that you can book for your group, or a ryokan room with its own bath. See our hotels in Hakone for hot spring stays near Tokyo.
Where to try
- Sento in Tokyo: around 400 neighborhood bathhouses. See our sento guide.
- Onsen in and near Tokyo: see onsen in Tokyo, or take a day trip to Hakone, Atami or Yugawara.
FAQ
What is the difference between a sento and an onsen?
A sento is a neighborhood public bath, usually with heated tap or well water, and costs ¥550 for adults in Tokyo. An onsen uses natural hot spring water and usually costs more.
Do I need to wash before getting in the bath?
Yes. Wash your whole body at a shower station and rinse off the soap completely first.
Can I wear a swimsuit in an onsen?
No. Swimsuits and underwear are not allowed. Everyone bathes naked, and baths are separated by gender.
Where do I put my small towel?
Keep it out of the water. Many people fold it on their head.
Can I go to an onsen with tattoos?
It depends on the place. Check the website or ask the staff, look for tattoo-friendly baths, or book a private bath.
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Sources
Sento prices and steps come from the Tokyo Sento Association; bath manners from the Japan National Tourism Organization (checked November 2, 2026).
