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How to Get in a Public Bath

1. A gentle kakeyu before soaking: First, gently douse yourself with a bucket full of bath water outside of the tub. This is called "kakeyu". There are two reasons this is practiced: 1) to wash off excessive sweat off of your body, 2) to let your body prepare for full soak in the temperature of your bath water. Work your way up from your toes to your hands, then eventually to your torso with two or three scoops of kakeyu.

Warm yourself up slowly
starting at yout feet.

This keeps bath water from
getting excessively dirty

2. Avoid suddenly submerging up to your shoulders: Slowly enter the tub. Avoid a sudden soak since it can be harmful to your heart. Avoid jumping into the tub too quickly: splashing the tub water to others is considered rude. Submerge up to your waist first if the water temperature is too high, then slowly work your way up your shoulders. Do not alter the water temperature by adding cold water in the tub.

Even a half-soak
should warm you up

Remember, diving and splashing bath
water to others is considered rude !

3. Avoid staying in the tub for too long: Pay close attention to how long you stay in the tub. It can be harmful to your health to stay in a high temperature water over a long period of time. It can result in what is called, "yuatari". Yuatari symptoms include nausea, increase in heart rate, fainting, unable to walk, and so on. It is highly advised that you step out of the tub and take a breather once in a while when it gets hot or too uncomfortable for you.

Be cautious of the length of time
you stay in the tub

Take a breather
once in a while

4. After-shower is advised for certain types of mineral composition: An after-shower may be needed depending on the onsen and its mineral composition. Especially for those with a sensitive skin, a quick wash is recommended after an onsen with contents including acid and/or hydrogen sulfide. Also, a very thorough wash and a rince are recommended for onsens with a circulated-spring/purifier.

After-shower recommended for
certain types of onsen water

A rash or an irritation may occur
under your arm or between your fingers

Onsen Courtesy

Get out the tub when washing your hair and your body.
Do not do your laundry.

Do not dip your towel in the tub.
Careful not to splash when entering the tub.

How to Put on a Yukata

Yukata is a type of Japanese kimono worn during summer festivals and traditional events. Japanese ryokan and hotels typically use "onsen yukata" as pajamas for the guests.

How to wear

1. Put your arms through the sleeves. Typically, only undergarments are worm under your yukata.
2. Left over right to fold the front
3. Wrap the belt around your waist and tie it on the front side, not the back.
4. Japanese style is that women tie it around the west, and that men tie it around their hips.

Warning !

It is inapropriate in Japan to wear your yukata with your front side right over left.
You might want to make sure that your front side is completely closed at times.
Make sure you leave your yukata in your room before you checkout. They are not complimentary. Fold them nicely and leave them in the room.

How to worship

How to worship at Buddist temples

Purification

At purification trough, wash your hands and mouth to purify yourself before worshiping.

Take a laddle in your right hand, scoop water and wash your left hand.
Wash your right hand using the ladle in your left hand, then your both hands are purified.
Take the ladle in your right hand again, pour water onto your left palm and rinse your mouth with the water. Then your mouth is purified too.
Wash the ladle you used and put it back upside down to the original position for the next person.

Worship in front of the main hall

First, bow deeply one time in front of the offertory box. If you find candles or sticks of incense, light them and offer to Buddha.
Give a small offering into the offertory box, then join your hands in front of your chest and pray silently. Do not clap hands. If you have a juzu, Buddhist prayer beads, place it over you both hands held together or one hand alone while you are worshiping.
Bow deeply one time at the end.

what is juzu ?

Holding juzu is a manner of worship and means respect for Buddha. It’s preferable when you worship at temples, however it is not a compulsory. If you’d like to buy one, juzu are sold at big temples, Buddhist altar fittingshops and some accessory shops. You may find various designs of beautiful juzu. Considered to be a protective charm against evil spirits, juzu are also good for souvenirs.

How to worship at Shinto shrines

Purification

At purification trough, wash your hands and mouth to purify yourself before worshiping.

Take a laddle in your right hand, scoop water and wash your left hand. This is because left hand is sacred in Shinto.
Wash your right hand using the ladle in your left hand, then your both hands are purified.
Take the ladle in your right hand again, pour water onto your left palm and rinse your mouth with the water. Then your mouth is purified too.
Wash the ladle you used and put it back upside down to the original position for the next person.

Worship in front of the offering hall

First, give a small offering (saisen) into the offertory box, then ring the bell. The sound of the bell removes evil spirits and entreats gods to come.
Bow deeply twice to express your reverence to the gods.
Put both hand together in front of your chest, slide your right hand down a little and clap your hands twice.
Join both palm together again and put them down to pray silently.
Bow deeply one time at the end. It signifies taking leave of the gods.

draw omikuji

If you get a good fortune, take the omikuji paper back home. If you get a bad one, tie the omikuji paper to the designated bars at the shrines or temples and leave it there. Do not tie them to any trees because it causes damage to the trees.