Hakuba Onsen Guide

Did you even go to Hakuba if you didn’t finish the day with a post-shred onsen? We don’t think so. So we wanted to provide you with the local information that you really need to know this JaPow trip–where the best onsen around the region are.

Hakuba is home to a variety of natural hot spring onsen, each offering a unique opportunity for those looking to experience traditional Japanese relaxation. Below, we have listed our tips for the best and most accessible onsen experiences around town, but first, let’s hash over some essential etiquette tips that all visitors should know before visiting. 

Onsen Etiquette

• Wash Prior To Bathing: Most Japanese onsen have a shower area for guests to thoroughly wash their body before entering the bath. It is seen as rude or impolite to enter an onsen with dirt, sweat or soap on your body, so it is important to scrub yourself clean before entering the hot spring.
• Use the Modesty Towel: As nudity is a huge part of the onsen experience, modesty is expected. You will be given a small modesty towel upon entry so that you can hide your private parts as you’re moving between the change rooms, showers and bathing areas. 
• Tie Up Your Hair: If you have long hair, it is expected that you tie it up to avoid it touching the water.
• No Dunkin’: In a similar vein, dunking your head under the water is strictly prohibited in onsens.
• Tattoos: We know that a lot of people are wondering about this one. Yes, more often than not tattoos are banned in onsens due to their associations with organised crime in Japan. While some onsens will allow tattoos (especially the ones in tourist areas such as Niseko), many won’t. If you have a small tattoo, you can sometimes get a pad or bandage from reception to cover it up, however, if you’re covered in them, you may run into some issues.
• Pregnant & Period: If you are pregnant or on your period, it is recommended that you don’t attend an onsen. 
• No Drunk People/No Glass: While we agree that the thought of an onsen and a couple of bev’s sounds like a pretty bangin’ time, the majority of onsens have banned the consumption of alcohol.
• Let it Fly: In most onsens (except for a few mixed gendered ones), it is mandatory that you must be naked while bathing to avoid dirty swimwear contaminating the hot spring.

Tip* – Some onsen have age restrictions on children, so if you are planning on attending with an infant it is worth checking in advance if the onsen will allow young children.

Benefits of Onsen

• Hot springs have a sedative effect that relieves stress, allowing you to unwind in deep relaxation.
• Sodium chloride hot springs are rich in carbon dioxide which helps promote blood circulation and warm the body.
• The minerals in hot-springs have an enriching quality on the skin, helping to give you softer skin while also removing oil and dirt from your sebum. 
• Provides benefits for illnesses such as: neuralgia, muscular pain, arthritis, skin disease, hypertension, diabetes and more.