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.
Sauna: dedicated sauna facilities, private (reservation-only) saunas and sauna & capsule hotels, often with Finnish-style löyly, a cold plunge and an outdoor cool-down area.
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.