Onsen Map Japan › Ibaraki › Hirakata Onsen (平潟温泉)

Onsen, Sento & Super Sento – Hirakata Onsen (平潟温泉), Ibaraki

1 places

Onsen, sento and super sento — what is the difference?

  • Onsen: baths using natural hot spring water, from rustic communal baths in onsen towns to day-trip spa facilities.
  • Sento: neighborhood public bathhouses with a fixed, affordable price set by each prefecture — many have Mt. Fuji murals and saunas.
  • Super sento: large bath complexes with many kinds of baths, saunas, bedrock baths, restaurants and rest areas — great for a whole day.

How to enjoy a Japanese onsen or sento

  • Wash your body at the shower area before getting into the bath.
  • Do not put your towel in the bath water; keep long hair tied up.
  • Many baths are nude and separated by gender; swimsuits are usually not allowed.
  • Tattoo rules differ by facility — look for “Tattoo-friendly” or check the official site.
  • After a sauna, rinse off sweat before entering the cold plunge bath.