Onsen Etiquette Part 3: Mastering the Locker Room

As a certified “One-Star Onsen Sommelier” and a Regional Activation Master, I’ve started a side job at a local hot spring facility. This experience has given me a lot to think about—so much, in fact, that I’ve had to split my thoughts into a multi-part series!

In an onsen or “super sento,” the drama doesn’t just happen in the water. The locker room (dressing area) is no exception. It’s a space where people let their guard down, and unfortunately, that’s often where the trouble starts.

In this third installment, I want to talk about how we behave in the locker room. From common sense to safety, here is what you need to know to keep the experience pleasant for everyone.

Don’t Be a “Dripper”: Dry Off Before You Leave the Bath Area

The fundamental issue is that far too many young people—and quite a few older men, too—don’t understand why you’re supposed to bring a small towel into the bath area in the first place.

They strut into the bath area completely empty-handed, as if to say, “I’ve got nothing to hide! Look at me!” Honestly? It looks pathetic. It’s not cool at all.

If you want to cover yourself, cover yourself. If you don’t, then don’t. I couldn’t care less about that.

That small towel is used for washing your body, and you also place it on your head while soaking to prevent lightheadedness. Most importantly, you use it to wipe the water off your skin before you leave the bath area for the locker room.

The number of young people who fail to do this is unbelievable. They act just like they’re at home—stepping straight out of the shower while dripping wet and only reaching for a bath towel once they’re in the dressing area. Because of this, the locker room floor gets soaking wet. It’s not uncommon to see actual puddles left behind.

People who are just arriving enter the locker room wearing socks. Naturally, they end up stepping right into those puddles. Even if you are barefoot, nobody wants to walk across a floor drenched in water that just dripped off someone else’s body.

At a natural hot spring facility, even a thin piece of cloth like a “tenugui” is enough since they dry so quickly. You must bring a towel or a tenugui with you into the bath area. Some “brave” souls even try to bring a full-sized bath towel inside, but that is also a major no-go.

According to the Onsen Sommelier Association, the officially recommended way to wash is by lathering up soap or body wash and using your hands. Personally, I’m a bit old-school, so I still prefer to scrub away with a nylon towel.

The reasoning is that if you remove too much of the skin’s natural barrier (dead skin cells) before soaking, the hot spring minerals can be too powerful and overwhelm your system. If you have a history of “onsen-atari” (dizziness from the hot spring) or aren’t feeling 100%, it’s important not to scrub too hard—especially in strong, natural, free-flowing springs. Keep this in mind for a safer soak.

Dry Off Before Heading to the Restroom

Some people head straight to the locker room restroom without even wiping themselves off. That restroom is used by everyone—people who are still dressed and ready to bathe, and those who have finished and are about to head home. There is no way it’s okay to use it while you’re naked and dripping wet.

Someone else has to sit on that toilet seat after you’ve drenched it. If the roles were reversed, how would you feel?

The path to that restroom will also be marked by your wet footprints and dripping water, and other people have to walk there.

Of course, the staff does their best to clean and keep the locker room dry, but very few facilities can afford to have someone cleaning the dressing area every single second. For everyone to have a pleasant experience, it is essential for those of us who love onsens to step up our own etiquette.

By the way, at the facility where I’m currently working, there’s a lounge area that you can enter while still naked. Believe it or not, some people head straight there while soaking wet without wiping themselves down.

That space is also used by people who have finished changing and are fully dressed. You’d think they’d realize what happens if they do that if they just thought about it for a second, but there are so many people who just don’t get it…

The other day, while I was cleaning the locker room, a young man asked me, “Is it okay to come up here while still naked, as long as I’ve wiped myself down?” He was quite a handsome guy, but more than that, his thoughtfulness made me think, “Now, this guy is handsome on the inside, too.”

Meanwhile, right next to him, some middle-aged guy with a beer belly just strolled right past, dripping wet. Of course, I stopped him.
Take a leaf out of that young man’s book—strive to be “handsome” in both your appearance and your heart.

Side Note: Checking the Time

I usually wear glasses, but since I take them off at the onsen, I have the same problem—I can’t tell what time it is. I’m an Apple Watch user, but of course, I take it off before getting in the bath.

Some facilities have clocks in the bathing area, but others intentionally choose not to have them, hoping that guests will forget about time and fully focus on relaxing and healing.

In that case, if there’s a staff member nearby, don’t hesitate to ask, “What time is it?” Most onsen staff members wear watches because many of their tasks are scheduled by the hour.

I actually get asked for the time quite often. If you’re visiting with a spouse, partner, or friends and have a set meeting time, naturally you’ll be keeping an eye on the clock.

The reason I’m bringing this up is that many people rush back into the locker room while dripping wet just to check the time. I get it—I want to know the time too. But you can’t do that. Whenever you step into the locker room, you must wipe yourself down first.

No Smartphone Use in the Locker Room

Honestly, I don’t know what’s so important that they can’t put their phones down. It’s not just the young crowd; middle-aged and older men are doing it too. It is absolutely not allowed.

When I call them out, some older guys get defensive and angry, while younger ones complain that I’m being “too strict.” But let me be clear: in every single onsen across Japan, smartphone use in the locker room is strictly prohibited.

An onsen isn’t going to cure a smartphone addiction; if you can’t stay off your phone, you should probably see a doctor. At the very least, use your time at the hot spring for a proper digital detox.

Some facilities post the specific reasons for the ban, while others simply say “No Smartphones.” But the bottom line is privacy.

First and foremost, it’s about preventing surreptitious filming (voyeurism). Regardless of gender, there are far too many cases of people filming in locker rooms and leaking footage online. It’s not a question of whether you specifically are taking photos. If we allow even one person to use a phone, we lose the ability to call out someone who actually is filming. Since staff can’t go around checking everyone’s screen, the only solution is a flat-out ban.

For anyone who understands these risks, just seeing someone with a smartphone in the dressing area is incredibly uncomfortable. Too many people fail to realize the gravity of using a camera-equipped device in a place where everyone, including themselves, is completely naked.

There was even a recent incident where a Japanese politician took a selfie in a locker room and accidentally posted a photo that revealed a bit too much of himself, leading to a public apology. It sounds like a bad joke, but you’d be surprised how many people actually try to take selfies in front of the dressing room mirrors.

When I see kids doing that, I can’t help but lose my temper. Don’t they realize there are dozens of naked people right behind them? How can anyone be so oblivious as to take a photo in a place where other people’s privacy could so easily be violated?
To prevent this kind of sheer stupidity from happening, smartphones are banned across the board—no exceptions.

To take it to the extreme: what if someone was doing a LIVE stream in the locker room or the bath area? Your naked body would be broadcast to the entire world. Everyone understands that this is wrong, but a staff member has no way of knowing if a phone is currently live-streaming just by looking at it.

People who were “just” killing time or playing a game often get defensive when confronted, but staff can’t go around asking every single person, “Excuse me, what exactly are you doing on your phone right now?” We simply don’t have the time for that.

People need to think more carefully about the fact that a smartphone is, first and foremost, a camera. If you saw someone fiddling with a dedicated camera in a locker room, how would you feel? It’s exactly the same thing.

Keep It Quiet: The Hair Dryer Makes You Louder

Why do people feel the need to chat with friends while using the hair dryer? In my previous post, I mentioned not talking while showering, but I actually see this happening much more often at the drying stations.

I honestly don’t understand why you need to talk right at that moment. Can’t you just wait until you’re finished? Because you’re trying to shout over the noise of the dryer, you end up being incredibly loud. It’s a nuisance to everyone else—please stop.

Speaking of hair dryers, there’s another habit I can’t stand: people using them to dry their crotch, feet, or armpits. You see this a lot with older men, but even some younger guys do it now. Please, just stop. Someone else has to use that same dryer on their hair right after you. Think about that.

On a lighter note, I recently saw a bald foreigner working a hair dryer over his head with total intensity. I couldn’t help but chuckle, but seriously—it’s a waste of electricity. Please give the dryer a rest!

Keep Your Locker Key With You at All Times!

I touched on this in Part 2, but there are still so many people in the locker room who ignore the basic rule of keeping their locker key on them.

Whether they’re drying their hair or stepping away to use the restroom, some people actually leave their lockers wide open with all their belongings—including valuables—inside. Why on earth would you walk away like that?

Even those who do close their lockers often leave the key sitting on the vanity while they get ready, only to forget it when they walk out. I truly don’t understand why people are so reluctant to just keep the wristband on.

As a result, “I lost my key” has become one of the English phrases I hear most often on the job. Every time someone says it to me, I’m thinking, “I told you to keep it on you…”

At many traditional Japanese inns (ryokans) or local hot spring facilities—unlike large international hotels—there are often no English-speaking staff members on site. If a non-Japanese speaker runs into trouble like losing a key, it becomes a massive headache for everyone involved because of the communication barrier.

This is a situation that can be easily avoided just by keeping your locker key on your person at all times. Please, keep it attached to your wrist or ankle to ensure your relaxing trip doesn’t turn into a stressful ordeal.

The Locker Room is Not Your Living Room

There are way too many students spreading their belongings everywhere while changing. Are they trying to set up shop or something?

When I told one, “This is a walkway, so don’t block it,” he actually snapped back, “Well, then don’t put lockers in a place that becomes a walkway!”

Just look around. No one else is setting up shop in the locker room like you are.

I was amazed he could say something like that without feeling any shame. Since I’m an employee, I have no problem telling people to clear the path so I can get through. But not every customer can do that. That’s exactly why we staff members tell people to clear the way—for the sake of the other guests who might find it hard to speak up.

Keep Your Belongings Inside Your Locker!

There are way too many people who leave things on top of the lockers. Some just forget them there, while others seem to think it’s a trash can.

I honestly believe the number one spot for lost and found isn’t inside the lockers, but on top of them. People also tend to leave their things in places like windowsills instead of using their own assigned locker. I really have to wonder: is it impossible for you to get changed without scattering your belongings all over the place?

Always Close Your Locker Door!

Beyond just while in use, there are way too many people who leave their locker doors wide open after they’re finished and head home.
You might think it’s fine because the staff will eventually close them, but we aren’t patrolling the locker room every single second. We can’t always get to them immediately.

The real problem is that people actually run into those open doors or bang their heads on them. And let me tell you—it hurts.
Closing a door after you open it is a basic human action. It shouldn’t even need to be said—just do it.

“I Can’t Open My Locker!”

The second most common issue after lost locker keys is people coming to us saying, “I can’t get my locker open.”

Of course, there are rare cases where a locker actually malfunctions—in which case, as staff, we can only apologize for the inconvenience—but the vast majority of the time, the reason it won’t open is simply because it’s the wrong locker number. You might think, “That’s impossible,” but I’m serious.

Based on the assumption that “I definitely put my things here,” quite a few people go out of their way to find a staff member to complain. The first thing we do is check the locker number. Nine times out of ten, they are trying to open a completely different locker.

Before you tell a staff member it won’t open, please double-check that your locker number is actually correct.

Don’t Overstuff Your Locker!

I understand that when you’re traveling, it’s only natural to have a lot of luggage. However, I often see people desperately forcing their bulky bags into a locker. Doing this carries a high risk of the locker getting jammed.

If your belongings press against the door from the inside, the key might stop turning or the locking mechanism could get stuck.

While we staff members have a few “tricks” for getting a jammed locker open, there’s always a chance of breaking the lock or the door if too much force is used. If you find your locker won’t open because it’s overstuffed, please don’t try to force it yourself—come and talk to the staff first.

Most locker rooms are equipped with an emergency phone that connects to the front desk. If you can’t find a staff member nearby, please don’t hesitate to use it. A member of our team will head over to the locker room immediately.

Since this isn’t a case of a lost key, you won’t be charged any replacement fees. However, it’s not as simple as just using a master key; in most cases, we actually have to physically remove the entire lock mechanism. This process can take quite a bit of time.

If you have a lot of luggage, some facilities offer a service to hold large bags at the front desk. Alternatively, if the place isn’t too crowded, it’s much better to use two lockers instead of risking a jam by stuffing everything into one.

Don’t Leave Your Used Towels Lying Around!

This seems to happen at every facility: people buy a towel, decided they don’t want it anymore, and just toss it aside when they leave. Most places have designated hampers for towel collection—please use them.

If it’s a towel you purchased (not a rental), it makes a great souvenir of your trip. If you really don’t want it, they’re incredibly useful as rags. Personally, I use mine to wipe down my car before finally tossing them out.

Now, since you bought the towel, it’s technically yours to do with as you please. However, standard practice at most facilities is to reuse any left-behind towels as cleaning rags.

So, if you don’t want to keep it, please don’t just ditch it in a random spot or throw it in the trash. Put it in the towel collection hamper. If you’re not sure where the hamper is, just ask a staff member; they’ll either take it for you or show you where it goes.

A New Low: Leaving Dirty Diapers Behind

Since I work on the men’s side, it doesn’t happen constantly, but there are still a surprising number of “trashy” parents who leave used diapers sitting right inside the lockers when they leave. I honestly feel sorry for children being raised by parents who don’t even understand the concept of a trash can.

Do they ever stop to think that another person will be using that locker immediately after them?

And it’s not just the lockers. Recently, some parent actually tossed a dirty diaper into the towel collection hamper I mentioned earlier. We had finished laundering the towels and were folding them to be reused as rags when, at the very bottom, there it was. My coworker and I were absolutely disgusted. Naturally, we had to re-wash the entire load from scratch.

Does this really need to be explained? “Put your dirty diapers in the trash.” It’s mind-boggling that someone could be so thoughtless.

Trash Belongs in the Trash Can!

It’s not just towels. Trash is everywhere—inside lockers, on top of them, on the floor—people just leave it wherever they please. It’s mind-boggling how many adults can’t follow a rule that even a grade-schooler understands: put your trash in the bin.

Almost every facility has trash cans in the locker room. Since people are often unpacking new towels or undergarments, these areas naturally generate a lot of waste, which is why many places even provide multiple bins.

Whenever I clean up after someone who just walked away from their mess, I can’t help but think, “Their house must be a total disaster.”

This isn’t your private home; it’s a space shared by everyone. Keeping things clean so the next person can have a pleasant experience isn’t just about “onsen etiquette”—it’s a fundamental part of being a decent human being.

Respect the Closing Time!

This is overwhelmingly common among younger customers. They stay long after closing, casually using the hair dryers without a care in the world. They’ll even say, “Thanks for staying open late! It was great!” as they leave, but the staff are part-time workers—they don’t want your gratitude; they just want you to leave so they can go home.

Whether or not a facility actively kicks people out depends on their policy. Some will put on the pressure to get you moving, while others will wait silently for you to finish. But make no mistake: in both cases, every single staff member is thinking, “Just leave already.” The facility is closed, after all.

I have no idea where you’re headed at that hour that requires such a perfect hair-dryer blowout, but failing to respect the closing time is nothing but a nuisance to everyone working there.

After the doors close, there is a mountain of work waiting behind the scenes—cleaning the baths, prepping the facility, and ensuring everything is perfect for the next day’s guests. Many staff members are working hard to make sure you have a pleasant experience tomorrow.

When guests fail to respect the closing time, the facility is forced to pay overtime to its employees. Over time, these costs add up, eventually leading to higher admission fees for everyone. Your “just a few more minutes” could directly result in a price hike.

Being inconsiderate doesn’t just annoy the staff—it harms the very facility you enjoy. Please keep that in mind and exit on time.

Learn the Rules, Love the Soak: How to Truly Enjoy an Onsen

I had so much I wanted to write for Part 3 that it ended up being quite long, but I’ve only been working here for three months, so I’m sure all sorts of things will continue to happen in the future.

Living here in Odawara—the gateway to famous hot spring towns like Hakone, Yugawara, and Atami—I want everyone to experience the incredible healing power of a Japanese onsen in the best way possible.

Even if you’ve never been to an onsen before, I hope this blog helps you understand the local etiquette. These rules aren’t meant to be strict; they’re here to make sure your visit is relaxing, safe, and respectful to everyone.

The onsen is waiting for you.

Please Note:
The photos shown here are from my past travels or provided by my clients. They are not related to my current workplace or the specific facilities mentioned in this post.

Important Rule:
Photography and the use of smartphones are strictly prohibited in all bathing and dressing areas. Please respect everyone’s privacy.

この記事は、温泉の入り方・マナーを知らない人が多すぎる話・その3：脱衣場編を日本人の方以外でも理解できるように編集・翻訳したものです。