The frequency of bathing shall be at most 1-2 times per day, and when people get used to Onsen, they can enjoy 2-3 times per day. Duration of bathing depends on the temperatures of water, but generally it shall be around 3-10 minutes at one time, and can be extended to 15-20 minutes if you get used to it.
The recommended duration of soaking is not more than 15 to 20 minutes. It's important to note that immersing yourself in hot water for too long will excessively raise your blood pressure or heart rate, causing dizziness and discomfort.
In general there are two types of onsens: day onsens and overnight stay onsens. The day onsens are for day-trippers who want to relax for a few hours. Overnight onsens are for guests who will be staying the night.
It is recommended that you do not shower after bathing in an onsen, as rinsing your body will weaken the minerals' healing effects. However, taking a quick cold shower or bath upon leaving the bath, which has its own health benefits, has also been recommended.
It is not recommended to stay in such baths for an extended period of time – ten to fifteen minutes is the norm. That's why onsen often have baths of varying temperatures so you can work your way up and rotate. Some have much cooler baths for this purpose, and I've even been to one that had an ice bath!
The frequency of bathing shall be at most 1-2 times per day, and when people get used to Onsen, they can enjoy 2-3 times per day. Duration of bathing depends on the temperatures of water, but generally it shall be around 3-10 minutes at one time, and can be extended to 15-20 minutes if you get used to it.
The intense heat can cause dehydration, fainting, and even burns depending on the temperature, so stick to 10- or 15-minute soaks with breaks in between to allow your body temperature to return to normal.
"When taking a bath, you should try to limit it to 15 minutes," Dr. Chimento says. "Anything longer than that will begin to strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to inflammation and irritation." Basically, when it starts to get cold, get out.
Doctors do not recommend using onsen at all while menstruating. But, if you absolutely cannot avoid it, use a tampon. Even if it's a “light” day, nobody wants blood or bodily fluids floating around in the shared bath water. Using a tampon will also help protect against water entering through your cervical opening.
Inside the Onsen room, you will notice “cleaning stations” along the walls with mirrors, showers and buckets. This is the washing area. Choose a low stool and rinse it off before sitting down. With your small towel, thoroughly wash your entire body, including your hair, using the products provided.
Couple onsens are special spaces where the two of you would never be disturbed by other people. Private onsens in guest rooms, in particular, let you spend time with your sweetheart enjoying the hot spring all day long, without the need to go out the door. The experience is largely different from normal dates.
Do NOT bathe in an onsen if you are at the active stage of a disease (especially if you have a fever); Onsen bathing imposes a large burden on your body, so avoid bathing in an onsen when you are weak and tired as the symptoms may become worse.
Many people report feeling dizzy or nauseous after their first few times after going to an onsen, and this is usually because of dehydration or overheating from staying in too long.
It's best not to eat before bathing in the onsen, but you need to drink a lot of water before and after your onsen bath. Keep your bath to a minimum. Staying too long may cause dehydration. While an onsen is relaxing and beneficial to your health, it's generally not a good idea to enter more than three times a day.
High water temperature or long-time bathing in hot springs may result in insufficient blood supply, which may lead to hypoglycemia and blood pressure fluctuations, causing fainting.
The Japanese have perfected the art of onsen, or hot spring baths, for centuries. Traditionally, men and women would bathe together in the same facility, but these days the baths are segregated by gender.
A: The answer differs for men and women. In general, it is acceptable for men to shave in the shower area of the onsen, and razors are even provided. For women, it is not generally acceptable to shave in the onsen as this is seen as an activity that should be done privately.
Shower before you bathe.
Even when bathing in the privacy of their own home, the Japanese always clean themselves under the shower before having a soak in the bath – and this is even more important when you're visiting a communal sento or onsen – to keep the water as clean as possible.
Jeffery Fromowitz, a dermatologist in Florida, who explained what happens when you lounge in the bath for too long. “”In essence, prolonged immersion in water supersaturates the skin and can lead to skin breakdown,” Dr. Fromowitz said. If this is starting to sound like a sci-fi horror film, just stay with us.
Hot baths may provoke light-headedness or dizziness
Taking a hot bath or shower (or spending time in a hot room) can lead to increased body temperature and cause blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure and can cause lightheadedness or dizziness.
The most comfortable onsen temperature for the Japanese is between 39℃ to 42℃ (102°F to 107.5°F). If your body is relatively cool before entering a body of water with such a high temperature, the water's heat becomes much more pronounced.
Ideally, you should aim to time your hot tub sessions to last between 15 and 30 minutes. Depending on the factors at play (i.e., water temperature), you might be able to extend your soak to 45 minutes. Keep in mind that you can always re-enter your hot tub later on!