Tag Archives: onsen

Private Onsen, room with an open-air bath / 6 different types of bath in Onsen Ryokan

Onsen, Tips and FAQ,

PrivateOnsen
Our ‘Shima Onsen Kashiwaya Ryokan’ has three private onsen, all of which are open-air baths(Rotenburo), two rooms with their own private open-air onsen and large public inside onsen for both men and women.

Since anyone can enjoy a private onsen or a room with a private open-air bath（Rotenburo) without any restrictions or concerns, everyone from anywhere around the world can be satisfied with them.

Kashiwaya Ryokan is tattoo-friendly, so anyone can enjoy and participate. But if people would prefer some privacy, they can hire a private onsen or a room with a private open-air bath to further enjoy the experience.

Onsens are an integral part of Japanese culture, therefore, visiting and experiencing an onsen is a big purpose in coming to Japan for many people.
However, there are many different types of baths with different purposes and restrictions, so it may be confusing for tourists who are not used to our customs and culture.

open-air onsen
Kashiwaya’s Private Onsen

Today, I will talk about all different types of onsen.

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How to Take an Onsen?｜8 Rules & Manners of Japanese Onsen

Onsen, Tips and FAQ,

Onsen rules

Today, we will be introducing the etiquette of visiting hot springs(Onsen) in Japan.

It is no exaggeration to say that Japan is known as the World No.1 hot spring country.
There are 2983 Onsen (hot spring) towns, and there are 27297 hot spring locations all over Japan.

There is a description about hot springs in Japan’s oldest history book, ‘Kojiki’, that was compiled in 700 A.D. From this we can tell that hot spring culture has been with Japanese people for a long time.

In the long history of Onsen, Japan’s own hot spring culture has changed, and in that culture, there are manners and etiquette that people follow to try not to cause any troubles for other hot spring users.

Let’s see the manners and etiquette of using hot springs in Japan with a little bit of jokes then!

Onsen etiquette and rules

Before that…
So many people are questioning whether they can go to hot springs in Japan if they have a tattoo.
We, ‘Shima Onsen Kashiwaya Ryokan’, are tattoo friendly. Therefore, anyone with or without tattoos can enjoy all of our hot springs. However, there can be no doubt that many hot spring places do not accept people with tattoos.
Please read the article ‘hot spring and tattoo’ for the further details.

Let’s see the manners and etiquette!

No swim suit

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Private Onsen Tsuki-no-yu Renovated !

Onsen, Ryokan, ,

Private Onsen Tsuki-no-yu
Visitors from Japan come looking for different things, from authentic Japanese food, cultural experiences, and shopping. Japanese hot springs, or onsen, are yet another popular activity for international tourists.

Though many tourists are interested in onsen, some are from countries that don’t have communal bathing customs. For these visitors, it may take a lot of courage to get naked and take a bath with your friends, let alone complete strangers!

Add to that the fact that most onsen aren’t tattoo friendly, and there are even more visitors who miss out on the opportunity to experience Japanese onsen. The reality is, there are historical reasons that people with tattoos have been banned from onsen in Japan. Despite the influx of international guests who have tattoos, many onsen still maintain this antiquated policy.

As you can see, this all makes for a terrible situation. Many visitors to Japan wish to experience Japan’s famed onsen, but they can’t because of superficial cultural problems. This is truly a shame.

We at Shima Onsen Kashiwaya Ryokan have a strong reputation on sites such as Trip Advisor. This is due to our dedication to making onsen accessible to all guests. We have had a “Tattoo Friendly” policy for many years, and we have several private onsen baths that are free for guests to use: three private baths open to all guests, and 2 rooms that include their own private bath.

Many of our guests post photos on Instagram from our private onsen as well. Search #privateonsen and #kashiwayaryokan to see what we have to offer here!

Private Onsen Tsuki-no-yu

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Onsen Ryokan with Beds and Western Style Meals

Cuisine, Onsen, Ryokan, , , ,

western style single bed

Anyone who speaks English probably knows the proverb, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” In Japanese we also have a very similar saying: 郷に入れば郷に従え（go ni ireba go ni shitagae). It means that if you enter a foreign country or region, it is wise to follow the customs and ways there.
I believe that travelling is about not only seeing new sights, but also learning more about another country and culture.
However, during a long journey you will naturally miss the customs of your home country. We Japanese sometimes visit Japanese restaurants abroad. I think this is because many of us become homesick while travelling. Of course, I also believe it is a benefit for international travellers to step out of their comfort zone and learn about other cultures. That’s why I highly recommend staying at a Japanese ryokan.

Japanese style room and Washoku
Japanese style room and Washoku

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Winter in Japan: Open-air Onsen, Scenic Snowscapes, Skiing and More!

Shima Onsen, ,

SnowInShimaOnsen

As we’ve written before on our blog (see links below), the Japanese take pride in the distinct charm of each of the four seasons.

The cherry blossoms of spring and the dazzling autumn leaves, the electrifying buzz of the cicadas in summer and the calm, sheer white snow of winter beckoning you to come play!

Hanami
Autumn Leaves

The winter season is upon us now, so you may be asking yourself: what is there to do here in Japan? Well, let us give you just a few ideas!

In winter, you can enjoy snowy landscapes stretching over a wide range in Japan, from Hokkaido in the far north to the more central Northern Kanto where Shima Onsen and our Kashiwaya Ryokan are located. Although it depends on the conditions in each region, generally the snow season is from December until March.

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Are people with tattoos allowed in onsen?

Onsen, , ,

Kashiwaya Onsen

Yes, we are tattoo friendly onsen ryokan!

In Japan, people with tattoo are often rejected to take onsen. You must feel unreasonable in spite of taking all the trouble of visiting Japan to take onsen. Aren’t there any ways to take onsen even with tattoo?

In fact, at ryokan with private onsen and rooms with open bath, such as Shima Onsen Kashiwaya Ryokan, you can enjoy onsen in peace even with tattoo because there is no chance to have somebody sees your tattoo.

Differences in Perception of Tattoo in Japan and Abroad

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Onsen town near Tokyo even Japan enthusiasts admire

Onsen, Shima Onsen, , , ,

Description

When saying onsen resort, people tend to imagine it to have left far from towns such as Tokyo. Yet, actually, there are a lot of highly original onsen resort and onsen ryokan near Tokyo environs, too.
There are more and more visitors who stay based at Tokyo Metropolitan area and stay at onsen ryokan in short trip in one night and two days. Onsen resorts near Tokyo, including out Shima onsen, are perfect for such needs.

Shima Onsen Town

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A Ryokan outside Tokyo, but Close to Tokyo

Onsen, Ryokan, , , ,

Evening at Onsen Ryokan

Overview

There are also a lot of ryokan in Tokyo but most of them do not equipped with onsen and meals.

So, it is hard to experience all the essences of ryokan (Japanese atmosphere, onsen, washoku) there.

Thus, I recommend you to stay at least one night at onsen ryokan that is close to Tokyo.

I have listed up some recommended onsen resorts, where you can enjoy ryokan close to Tokyo.

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In Tokyo, there are a variety of accommodations from ultra-luxury hotels to capsule hotels.

The total number of rooms of accommodations is almost 150,000 rooms, combining hotels and ryokan.

In addition, construction and opening of new accommodations are coming up towards the Tokyo Olympics.

Tokyo Shibuya night
Bright Lights, Big Tokyo

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That’s Why rural Onsen are Good! 3 Reasons to Recommend Countryside Onsen

Onsen, , ,

If you are planning second time or third time Japan travel, why don’t you include a plan to rural (countryside) onsen, which are rarely listed on travel guidebooks?

Our Shima onsen is one of rural onsen, which have relatively good access from Tokyo; that is about 3 hours. We are sure you’ll satisfy with your travel.

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Enjoy various types of Onsen at Shima Onsen

Onsen, Shima Onsen, ,

Yuzuriha Footbath & Drinking Fountain
Yuzuriha Footbath & Drinking Fountain

At Shima Onsen, not only each ryokan has satisfying number of Onsen, but also there are various facilities at the Onsen town, where you can enjoy Onsen, such as foot bath, drinking fountain, and public bathhouse.

Footbath is just good for relaxing after walking.

There are Okinaya Footbath, Yamaguchi Foodbath, Yuzuriha Footbath & Drinking Fountain, and Hinatamiyakushi Footbath towards the back from Kashiwaya Ryokan.

Okinaya Footbath
Okinaya Footbath

Hinatamiyakushi Footbath
Hinatamiyakushi Footbath

In addition, there are facilities, where you can enjoy “drinking fountain (onsen)” that is one of Toji culture, such as Yuzuriha Footbath & Drinking Fountain and Shionoyu Drinking Fountain in the immediate vicinity of Kashiwaya cafe.

There are also three Onsen facilities, where you can enjoy one day trip for free from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.; Kaminoyu, Kawaranoyu, and Gomusonoyu.

In addition, two facilities with charged but has rich equipments; Seiryunoyu and Koshikinoyu at the lakeside of Okushima Lake.

Gomusounoyu
Gomusounoyu

Please enjoy efficacy rich Shima Onsen in various types, which has been said to work on 40,000 diseases from ancient times.

If you interested in Japanese style Onsen, Please click here
Shima Onsen Kashiwaya Ryokan >

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