Ooedo Onsen Monogatari – Tokyo Bath Theme Park
Enjoy a Japanese Bath in Tokyo – Entrance Procedure and Etiquette
Sep 9, 2009
While, visiting a traditional ryokan is still the most relaxing way to take an onsen, Tokyo does have the Ooedo Onsen Monogatari, which is a natural hot spring piped from deep below Tokyo. It is also an Edo period theme park, complete with a tiny “village” where onsen goers can break for food, ice cream, trinket shopping, or even a palm reading.
Onsen Entrance Procedure
After entering the building, visitors are required to take off their shoes in the initial tile entrance. Secure shoes in a shoe locker located to the left. Take the key and proceed to the check-in clerk. The clerk accepts payment and gives each visitor a key to a locker located in a gender-specific locker area. This key also has a wristband and barcode on it that allows the visitor to charge goods and services to an account maintained by the front desk. This is a really convenient way to keep valuables safely locked up during a visit and keep money from getting wet in the baths. It even works with the vending machines located inside the baths. Just be sure to charge only what you can afford to pay on the way out.
Before heading to the locker room, stop by the back wall and select a yukata and obi. This is what visitors wear around the interior of the Monogatari while they are not in the baths. Once at the second locker, visitors disrobe down to their underwear and put on the yukata. Visitors are not allowed to wear swimsuits into the onsen. They are considered unhygienic. So, now is the time to make peace with any body issues.
The yukata is wrapped around the body, with the left side over the right. Then, secure the obi (belt) around the waist by holding with the center of the fabric around the front of the waist (for women) or hips (for men), wrapping the ends around the back of the waist and back around to the front, and tie a bow (for women) or knot (for men). Then, (for women) scoot the obi around the waist toward the right (or the yukata will drag open) until the bow is at the back. Once dressed in the yukata, visitors may then proceed into the Onsen.
There is no need to bring any shampoo, soap, combs, hair gel, or even a hair dryer to the onsen. A variety of personal care items are provided. A fresh pair of underpants or socks can even be purchased via vending machine. The hair care products are rather generic, so if there are special requirements, by all means, bring those products along.
Procedure for Navigating the Japanese Baths
Once inside the Monogatari area, visitors are assaulted with people wandering around and taking pictures, food stands, and small shops. This is the monogatari (theme park) part of the onsen. The food is mostly quick service favorites, like massive steaming bowls of ramen or katsu curry. There is also ice cream, which is highly recommended after a really hot soak.
There is a side passage that leads to the onsen. The baths in Ooedo Onsen Monogatari are gender-specific. Women proceed to ? (onna). Men proceed to ? (otoko). A clerk will hand out two towels. This is where visitors will find the third and final locker. At this point, disrobe completely. Lock the large towel, the yukata, and the key to the other locker into this final locker. Now there is only one key to carry around. Take the small towel and proceed to the wash area. Many Japanese will stop at the shower and rinse off before making their way to the wash station.
Wash thoroughly, including hair and body, and obey all of the Japanese etiquette for bathing at one of the washing stations. Once thoroughly washed and rinsed, tidy the wash area by rinsing off the stool and proceed to the baths.
Ooedo Onsen has many indoor baths and one large outdoor baths. The baths toward the center of the room are extremely hot. The baths around the edge of the room are slightly cooler. Some even have Jacuzzi jets. The baths outdoors are a treat during the winter, because the cool air circulates around the bath, making for a very satisfying soak. The air is cold though, which makes for a shock when running between baths.
If a visitor is concerned about modesty, he or she can hold the small towel over their private areas as they walk between the baths, but keep the towel out of the water. Many Japanese simple fold it into a square and place it on their forehead while they soak or hang it over the stair rail or along the edge of the bath.
The bathing area includes a steam room, a sauna, and a mineral bath. These are all included in the entry price. Visitors can also pay extra for massages or other treatments. When a visitor is done soaking, he or she proceeds to the rinse area, rinses off, and then makes his or her way to the locker to retrieve the large towel and yukata. Visitors can return to the baths for as many soaks as they like during their stay.
Tips for Onsen Goers
- Tattoos are generally not allowed into onsen or sento. However, many facilities will allow visitors to cover tattoos.
- Do not soak for too long! It is common to feel dizzy and lightheaded, so do not overdo it.
- Likewise, bring bottled water with you into the onsen and stow it near the edge of the bath to keep from overheating.
- Test the water before entering. Some baths are hotter than others.
- Do observe proper bathing etiquette.
- Avoid staring at other bathers. The Japanese bath together, but they ignore each other’s nakedness. Sometimes, they may sneak a peek, but openly gawking is poor etiquette.
Hopefully, this overview will help those wishing to visit Oedo Onsen Monogatari feel prepared for the experience!
Related Resources
Ooedo Onsen Monogatari – Natural Hot Spring Park (Directions and Overview)
Ooedo Onsen Monogatari English Web Site
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