Little known rite of traditional Japanese hot spring baths

More than 25,000 natural hot mineral springs are an important source of energy for Japan's health-resting tourism industry.

Located in the volcanic region of the Pacific Ocean, Japan is likened to being lying on a "heated bed" with continuous geothermal activities. The country has more than 25,000 natural hot mineral springs that provide "living resources" for more than 3,000 resort spas across the country.

Japanese Onsen is often opened in a beautiful area, so that the bather can relax and watch the scenery.(Photo: BBC).

Hot spring bath (onsen) is an important part of Japanese culture with long-standing typical rituals. Here are the basic guidelines for visitors who have their first onsen bath experience.

Shower before entering

Depending on each facility, visitors will need to clean themselves with tap water or scrub with soap before entering a hot tub. Ideally, visitors should bring their own soap, shampoo and towels.

Remove all the clothes

Most onsen do not allow visitors to wear swimsuits to bathe. In these spas, there are separate baths for men and women. You can use a towel to cover your body on the shore. The purpose of this is to keep the water as clean as possible.

Read carefully the "tattoo policy" of the onsen

According to OnsenJapan, people with traditional tattoos are understood to be in gangs or have relationships with organized crime. Although this rule seems to be discriminatory in the present era, some onsen are still not open to visitors with tattoos.

No taking picture

Many onsen do not allow photography to ensure privacy. If you want to take a picture of the surrounding landscape, you must ask the resort staff first.

Do not drink alcohol

Guests are encouraged to drink bottled water for hygiene. Most importantly, do not use alcoholic beverages before taking a bath, partly because prolonged exposure to hot water when drunk can be dangerous to health.

Much of Onsen will be divided into two areas: male and female separately.(Photo: Japan Times).

Mineral baths are considered health rehabilitation and medical treatments, which have been widely used in Japan. Although often considered a "secondary therapy" , its benefits have been proven by prestigious medical research around the world. The combination of chemistry, temperature, and pressure of thermal baths is used to treat health problems such as dermatitis, arthritis or lower back pain.

Sulfur and magnesium in hot springs help promote the health of the skin, while the heat can reduce the symptoms of inflammation and pain, while strengthening the immune system. The onsen in Japan must have a temperature of at least 25 degrees Celsius, even some up to 100 degrees centigrade.

Onsen bath is a long tradition of Japanese people.(Photo: Japan Times).

One of the most popular onsen baths in Japan is Kurama Onsen, a peaceful outdoor bath located less than an hour's drive from Kyoto city center.

Housed in a comfortable, lovely ryokan (traditional lodge), the hot spring Kurama offers visitors a magnificent view of the mountain with a surrounding Japanese cedar forest.

Traditional ryokan with other famous hot spring baths include Gyozanen and Seryo, two beautifully designed resorts in Ohara, a rural district in northern Kyoto near Sanzenin temple.