Onsen Etiquette

[aceizace]

Hi there, I have a few questions about visiting an onsen in Japan (obviously). I am finally going there next week, and I really don't want to be the obnoxious foreigner (any more than humanly possible).

I know that you must wash before going into the bath, and not get any soap or anything like that into the bath. But what if, say, I have a cut on my leg or arm? Should I put a plaster on it, leave it bare or would it just be frowned upon to enter the bath with a cut full stop?

I have these really annoying spots on my legs, not too many but enough to be obvious. They're inflamed hair follicles or something the doctor tells me, and I just "need to grow out of them", they look a bit like acne and aren't contagious or anything, but how would Japanese people react to something like that (if they noticed). I'm probably just being paranoid, but like I said I'm really afraid of making a huge faux pas in Japan! Obviously if plasters are recommended for cuts then I can use them to cover them.

Sorry for the perhaps-too-much-information detail, it's the kind of thing you don't find in tour guides! Thanks for the help!

Andrew

 

[senseiman]

I'm not sure what the etiquette is regarding bandages or plaster, but if you've got anything that is likely to start bleeding then you had better stay out of the onsen.

Probably acne-like spots aren't a problem so long as they aren't contagious or anything.

 

[nice gaijin]

Yeah, if you're going to bleed in the water then you shouldn't go in. inflamed hair folicles? sounds like ingrown hairs to me. Nothing to be concerned with there.

 

[Ewok85]

Most pools have a rule that you are not allowed to enter with open wounds - and I wouldn't think that an onsen owner or patrons would appreciate it either.

 

[nice gaijin]

also, you should be exfoliating if you have trouble with ingrown hairs. Talk to a dermatologist and take what they say to a skin care specialist.

 

[aceizace]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm glad to hear about the spotty things, and it was more curiosity about the wounds, I don't have anything that will bleed. Also, thanks for the advice nice gaijin, I will get some more exfoliating stuff!!

Andrew

 

[nice gaijin]

well, be careful about what you have; it the skin is already irritated you might make it worse. You don't have to scrub too hard, just enough to clear off the top layer of dead skin. Also beware of chemical exfoliators, as they could also further irritate your skin. I stand by my recommendation to seek a professional opinion though.

 

[sanji]

If you enter the onsen water with 2-3 plasters, it won't look strange and no one with notice. Do not go, though, if you might bleed, this would definitively not ve appreciated by other people soaking...
Pay also attention on which onsen you plan to go. Some have very typical water with high acidity - some contains lots of minerals. Not sure if those are good for your skin, so it could be wise to check before.
I personally would not go in a highly acidic water (Kusatsu, Manza, Tamagawa, ...), as I doubt this would do you any good!

sanji