"How can Japanese people, often thought of as shy or reserved, feel so at ease being naked in a public bath?" — This is one of the most common questions I get from foreign friends—especially those who’ve never been to Japan.

Interestingly, most foreigners who actually live in Japan seem to have gotten used to onsen (温泉, hot springs) culture—and many even come to love it. Once you try it, it’s easy to see why. Soaking in a warm, mineral-rich bath after a long day of sightseeing or work is incredibly soothing, both physically and mentally.

Japan is an increasingly popular destination for travelers, thanks to its mix of ultra-modern cities and deeply rooted traditions, seasonal beauty, and world-class cuisine. But how many visitors actually make time to experience an onsen?

Japan is an increasingly popular destination for travelers, thanks to its mix of ultra-modern cities and deeply rooted traditions, seasonal beauty, and world-class cuisine. But how many visitors actually make time to experience an onsen?

And more importantly, for those who do—how many are able to relax and enjoy the experience fully?

If you're interested but hesitant because of cultural differences, modesty, or fear of doing something wrong, don’t worry. I totally get it. Some people might also have legitimate reasons for avoiding public baths—religious beliefs, tattoos, or health-related concerns. But if you’re simply nervous or unsure, here are some tips that might help you feel more confident and comfortable.

As someone who grew up in a Japanese family that regularly visited public baths, I can tell you: it’s worth trying. Now that I live abroad, I find myself truly missing the onsen experience.

🏨 Onsen Day Trip or Stay in a Ryokan?

Japan is home to over 27,000 hot spring sources, and around 3,000 onsen facilities are in use across the country. Whether you're staying in a luxurious ryokan (traditional inn) or just looking for a short, relaxing visit, there are plenty of options.

Most ryokan offer at least one onsen, often with multiple baths in different styles, sometimes separated by indoor and open-air sections. On the other hand, day-use onsen are also widely available and usually cost between 500–1,000 yen.

📏 Basic Onsen Etiquette: What to Know Before You Go

🧻 1. Bring the Right Towels

You’ll need two towels:

1. A small towel (face or hand towel) to use while in the bath.
2. A larger bath towel for drying off afterward.

Don’t bring the big towel into the bathing area. Most hotels provide towels, and day-use onsen often sell them at the entrance.

🧴 2. Soap and Shampoo

Most onsen provide shampoo, conditioner, and body soap at the shower stations. But if you prefer your own brand, feel free to bring it.

👞 3. Take Off Your Shoes

As soon as you enter the facility, take off your shoes and place them in the shoe lockers or cubbyholes provided.

🧺 4. Use the Locker Room

Find an available basket or locker in the changing area. Undress completely and bring only your small towel into the bath. If it’s a locker, keep the key around your wrist.

🚿 5. Wash Before You Soak

Always rinse your body at the shower station before getting into the bath. No need to wash your hair just yet—just rinse off any sweat or dirt. Later, you can return to the shower for a proper wash and shampoo.

🧼 6. Keep Your Towel Out of the Water

You can use your small towel to modestly cover yourself while walking around, but do not dip it into the bathwater. People usually place it on their head or leave it nearby.

😌 7. Relax and Enjoy

Ease yourself into the bath slowly. You can chat quietly with friends, or just close your eyes and enjoy the peace. No one is judging you—most people are too relaxed to care what others look like.

♨️ 8. Explore Different Baths

Many onsen have multiple tubs with varying temperatures, minerals, or views. Spend around 10–15 minutes in one, then move to another. Outdoor baths (rotenburo) offer beautiful natural settings and fresh air. Saunas are also common, and rotating between hot and cold helps boost circulation and detox.

Here’s an example of a foot bath (足湯, ashi-yu)—a small bath for your feet only, which you can enjoy fully clothed. It’s surprisingly effective at warming your whole body!

🚿 9. After Bathing

Some onsen discourage rinsing off after bathing, as the minerals are thought to benefit the skin. However, if you prefer not to walk around feeling sticky or smelling like sulfur, it's totally okay to do a quick rinse before dressing.

🥛 10. Don’t Miss the Post-Bath Treats

Many onsen have vending machines offering cold bottled milk, fruit juices, or coffee milk. It’s a fun little tradition to enjoy a chilled drink right after your bath. Beer is also often available if that’s your preference!

Sendai, the capital of Miyagi Prefecture, is a hidden gem in Japan’s northern Tohoku region. Blending modern convenience with rich history and natural beauty, Sendai offers something in every season—from fresh seafood to scenic landscapes in both the mountains and by the sea. The compact layout of the city makes it incredibly easy to explore by public transport.

While many international travelers head straight to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, or Okinawa, skipping Sendai and the broader Tohoku region would be a real missed opportunity. This underrated destination is full of surprises—come and see why you’ll fall in love with Sendai!

🚅 How to Get to Sendai

The easiest way to reach Sendai is by the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station.

There are 2–3 trains per hour, and you can arrive in just:

1. 90 minutes on the Hayabusa (はやぶさ) express

2. 120 minutes on the Yamabiko (やまびこ) local service>

   💰Cost: ~11,000 yen one way

For budget travelers, long-distance buses are also available:

1. 6 hours from Tokyo

   💰Cost: 3,000–6,000 yen depending on the service

🏨 Where to Stay in Sendai

Start your stay in the city center, where you’ll find a lively atmosphere, plenty of restaurants, and easy access to key attractions. For a change of pace, spend your second night in one of the nearby onsen (hot spring) areas like:

1. Naruko (鳴子)
2. Matsushima (松島)
3. Akiu (秋保)

This way, you get the best of both worlds—urban excitement and peaceful relaxation. Major Japanese hotel chains are easy to book in central Sendai, but if you're traveling around late July to early August, book ahead for the popular Tanabata Festival!

🎯 Top 5 Things to Do in and Around Sendai

🏯 1. Aoba Castle (青葉城) & Zuihoden (瑞鳳殿)

One of the must-see places in Sendai is the site of Aoba castle built by the feudal lords Samurai, Date Masamune in the 16th century. During the war period in the Edo era, he moved to Sendai from the northern part of Miyagi established the Sendai domain, and became the first feudal lord in that region. He is well known as the “One-Eyed Dragon” as he lost one side eye at a young age. The statue of Date Masamune looks down over the city.

🌊 2. Matsushima Bay (松島)

Matsushima Bay consists of 260 islands (called Shima in Japanese) and is surrounded by thousands of pine trees (called Matsu in Japanese), which is why the place is called Matsu-Shima(松島). Thousands of tourists from across Japan visit Matsushima to see the color change in four seasons throughout the year. I highly recommend taking an island cruise touring around those islands to discover their beautiful nature by enjoying the calm wind.

One of the longest bridges is the Fukuura-bridge which is 252m, with shiny red architecture and it is famous as a bridge for lovers that brings romance while crossing from island to island. After the short walk from island hopping, you explore the history of Matsushima at the Zuiganji temple. On the way to the temple, you can find many souvenir shops and great seafood restaurants serving street food. Get some energy by grabbing some food and keep walking to discover the whole area of Matsushima!

🛤️ Access:From Sendai Station, take the Senseki Line to Matsushima-Kaigan Station (~1 hour). Most attractions are within walking distance.

🌋 3. Okama Crater in Zao (蔵王のお釜)

Okama is an inactive volcanic crater located on the border of Miyagi and Yamagata, with a circumference of 1000m and 27m depth. The lake is unreal emerald green with an alien landscape. There is a big parking lot and it takes only 10 minutes to walk from the parking lot to get to the peak of Zao Mountain with the picture point. The weather is valuable and changes quickly, so I recommend you to bring a jacket or an extra layer of clothes. Be careful that they close winter time from November till March.

🥩 4. Taste the Legendary Gyu-tan (Beef Tongue)

Does it sound weird for you to eat beef tongue? You would doubt why people visiting Sendai are so obsessed with finding the best beef tongue place in Sendai. Sendai is historically the first spot where meat restaurants started serving beef tongue after World War Ⅱ., under the circumstances of shortage of any nutritious foods including chicken, pork, and beef.

Today, many restaurants use charcoal to cook meats which makes this beef tongue very savory tender, and juicy despite being sliced thick, and usually, its set comes with grilled sliced beef tongue, barley mixed rice, and beef tail soup in many restaurants. I do believe that this combination of sets makes the Sendai beef tongue perfect, unlike many other Yakiniku(BBQ) restaurants outside of Sendai that slice the meat very thin and get overcooked and hard.

Here is the list of Gyutan restaurants favored by local people:

1. Rikyu (利久)
2. Tasuke (太助)
3. Kisuke (㐂助)
4. Tsukasa (司)

🍨 5. Try Zunda Shake & Local Delicacies

Zunda is also one of the most famous local foods in Sendai, it is sweetened mashed edamame(green soybeans) and served with Mochi(rice cake), Dango(round-shaped chewy dessert), and Shake. Zunda Saryo (ずんだ茶寮) , a local souvenir shop, was the inventor that initiated mixing ice cream with zunda, and now, you can find many cafes and shops that found its business chance also sell this sweet in Miyagi.

The combination of smooth ice cream with some grains of beans in it gives a unique, but great texture.

Other must-try local dishes:

1. 🍣 Umai Sushikan (うまい鮨勘)

   Umai Sushikan is a Sendai Sendai-based sushi restaurant operated nationwide for 34 chains including a branch in Malaysia. All dishes are very delicious and reasonable as it's their main concept. A wide variety of fresh seafood dishes are offered here such as sushi, sashimi, tempura, grilled seafood, drinking snacks, and also Japanese alcohol.

   Miyagi is also well known for fresh seafood, as its location surrounded by the sea and mountains gives abundant gastronomy culture for producing fresh fish and rice, and this creates a perfect high-quality Sushi.

   

🗾 Final Thoughts

Sendai is not just a gateway to Tohoku—it’s a destination full of history, flavor, and scenic wonder. Whether you're walking the castle ruins of a legendary samurai, cruising past pine-covered islands, or indulging in sizzling gyu-tan, you'll discover why Sendai deserves a top spot on your Japan itinerary.

So, skip the tourist crowds for a bit—and uncover the authentic charm of Sendai.