Many onsen ban tattoos, and even among Japanese young people, a little over 60 percent still don't favor allowing them in the bath. But there's no need to fear: We've compiled some solid tips on how to enjoy the water.
Edo-Period philosopher Hayashi Razan identified the three best onsen in all of Japan.
Oita has the most hot spring sources, but Hokkaido has the most spas—and the highest onsen is in Toyama.
While these Kanagawa onsen and their surrounds are certainly worth an overnight stay, each can work equally as well as a day trip.
Onsen etiquette can be confusing for a foreigner visiting for the first time, and there are many small rules and customs that even many Japanese people aren’t quite clear on.
There are plenty of sites and pamphlets explaining how to visit an onsen like a pro. But how about a quick checklist of what not to do?
There’s a bathload of sites out there on onsen, but we found our information pools best filled by the following sources.
Texan in Tokyo superblogger Grace Buchele Mineta finally lays down the primary onsen caveat that nobody ever talks about.
