“Tips from Onsen Ryokan Staff! Safe and Effective Ways to Enjoy Onsen”

1. The Difference Between Hot Springs and Regular Baths

In the spring of 2024, the term “Furo Cancel (bath cancel)” gained popularity on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
In Japan, it’s common practice to take a bath every day, and not bathing is often seen as somewhat of a social misstep.

However, in a country renowned for its hot springs, many people find it easy to skip a regular bath but enjoy visiting hot springs.
But what exactly is the difference between a hot spring and a regular bath?

The definition of a hot spring is regulated by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment under the “Hot Springs Law.”
First, a hot spring must “emerge from the ground.” Additionally, the water must be “25°C or higher” or meet certain specific component standards.

Interestingly, even if the water isn’t hot, it can still be considered a hot spring if it meets one of these criteria.
Additionally, the hot spring doesn’t always have to be water—it can also be steam or gas as long as the conditions are met.

The key difference between hot springs and regular baths isn’t just the composition of the water, but also the significant variations in temperature and mineral content. This leads to differences in the way one should enter and enjoy the bath.

2. Safe and Effective "Correct Way to Enjoy Hot Springs"

Here are the correct methods of bathing, taught by hot spring inn staff!

1.Thoroughly Rinse Off First This helps your body acclimate to the temperature of the hot spring, preventing a rise in blood pressure.
It also serves as a courtesy before entering a communal bath by cleansing the body of dirt. Pour water over yourself in sequence,
starting from the farthest point from your chest. Rinse yourself about 10 times.

2.Enter Slowly, Avoid Long Soaks Don’t submerge yourself to the shoulders immediately.
Start by entering with your feet and gradually work your way up to your waist. Allow your body to adjust to the temperature with a half-body soak. Avoid staying in the bath for too long; once you start to feel a little sweat on your face, it’s time to exit.

3.Do Not Rinse Off Afterward Unlike at home, the minerals in the hot spring water provide therapeutic effects.
Rinsing off after the bath washes away these beneficial minerals, diluting the hot spring’s effects.
Instead of rinsing off, simply dry yourself gently with a towel.

4.Stay Hydrated and Rest It’s easy to overlook the fact that you lose fluids while soaking in a bath. Additionally, you expend energy in the bath, and blood pressure can fluctuate.
Dry yourself quickly to avoid chilling and replenish fluids before resting.

3. Points to Be Cautious About

Don’t underestimate the bath! Here are three important points to be cautious about

・ No Alcohol Before Bathing! Drinking alcohol before entering a hot spring bath places a heavy strain on your body.
When you bathe, your body warms up, increasing blood circulation. This causes blood vessels to dilate and can lead to a drop in blood pressure, which may result in dizziness or fainting.
Furthermore, it reduces the amount of blood flow to your liver, slowing down alcohol metabolism.

・ Wash Your Face First! Entering the bath with makeup or sunscreen on can dirty the water, and your pores won’t open properly.
This may prevent you from fully benefiting from the therapeutic effects of the hot spring.

・ Rinsing Off May Be Necessary in Some Cases! For those with sensitive skin or prone to irritation,
it’s better to rinse off after bathing with a shower to avoid skin problems.
This is especially true for acidic hot springs.

・Additionally, don’t bring towels into the bath, and avoid making large movements in the water to maintain proper bath etiquette.

4. The Famous "Kinsen" of Arima Onsen

If you’re looking for a relaxing trip, why not consider visiting Arima Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture, which is easily accessible from the Kansai area?
It’s just an hour from Osaka or Kobe by train or express bus, making it a convenient getaway for families or multi-generational trips.

Arima Onsen offers a charming, old-fashioned hot spring town experience, with famous hot spring sources to visit, the famous Kobe beef to try, and shops selling local snacks like carbonated rice crackers.

Arima’s famous “Kinsen” (golden spring) is a strong iron-rich salt spring.
When the water emerges from the earth, it’s clear and colorless, but as it comes into contact with the air, the iron oxidizes, turning it brownish. This iron-rich water is said to be beneficial for treating neuralgia, cold sensitivity, and fatigue.

The “Kosenkaku” inn is one of the few inns in Arima Onsen with its own source of spring water, and it offers a generous flow of 6 tons of hot spring water per hour.
The inn’s baths are replenished twice a day to ensure guests enjoy fresh, mineral-rich water. The “Iwa-buro” (rock bath) is a traditional bathing area, remaining unchanged since the inn’s founding in 1930.

In 1997, the inn added a new outdoor bath attached to the “Kinsen” large public bath, known as the “Hakkaku-dō” (Octagon Hall), and in 2021, a spacious family suite was added to provide even more comfort. Kosenkaku continues to evolve to meet the needs of its guests, always providing fresh hot springs and delicious kaiseki cuisine.

We look forward to welcoming you to Kosenkaku!

https://www.kosenkaku.com/bath.html