Onsen Etiquette: Yunomori’s Onsen Manners (Before, During & After)
Onsen culture is simple: cleanliness, privacy, and calm.
When everyone follows the same etiquette, the space becomes relaxing for everyone—first-timers and regular guests alike.
This guide shares Yunomori’s onsen manners in an easy way, so you know exactly what to do before you enter, while soaking, and after you finish—including a quick guide on how to wear a yukata.
Before Onsen: what to do before you step into the baths
1) Bring only a small towel into the onsen area
In the onsen area, only a small towel (face towel) is allowed.
Please leave your clothes, bath towel, yukata, and belongings in the lockers provided.
This keeps the bathing area clean and uncluttered.
2) Onsen is enjoyed without swimsuits
Yunomori follows onsen-style bathing, so swimsuits are not permitted in the baths.
If you’d like added comfort, we provide disposable underwear/bras for female guests and bath shorts for male guests at Sathorn and Pattaya. At Sukhumvit, we keep the experience more traditional, so bath shorts are not provided.
If it’s your first time, don’t worry—this is standard onsen etiquette and the space is designed for comfort and privacy.
3) Shower and wash your body thoroughly first
A key rule of onsen etiquette is: wash first, soak second.
Please wash your body well before getting into any bath.
4) Shower seated, and avoid splashing others
Please sit down while showering and washing.
This helps prevent splashing and keeps the experience comfortable for everyone around you.
5) Keep the washing area tidy after use
After washing, please tidy your space and keep the equipment clean and in place.
It’s a small act that keeps the onsen environment pleasant for all guests.
6) Keep your locker key on your wrist
Please keep your locker key on your wrist at all times, and don’t forget to return it at reception when checking out.
For peace of mind, please store valuables in your locker (or the smart locker provided).
During Onsen: the right way to soak (and the small things that matter)
1) The bath is for soaking only—no washing inside.
Please don’t put your towel into the bath and don’t wash your body in the bath. The baths are for soaking only.”
2) Rinse before entering each bath (especially after sauna/steam)
It’s good etiquette to rinse your body and feet before entering each bath.
If you use the sauna or steam room, please rinse sweat off before going back into the baths.
3) Keep the atmosphere calm and quiet
Onsen is a quiet wellness space.
Please keep a calm environment and avoid loud noise or behavior that may disturb other guests.
4) Safety first: no running, no swimming
Wet floors can be slippery. Please:
- do not run in the onsen area
- do not swim in the baths
- enter and exit carefully
5) Tie up long hair
If you have long hair, please tie it up so it stays out of the water.
6) Keep an eye on children
If you’re visiting with children, please supervise them closely throughout the onsen area for safety and comfort of all guests.
7) Hydrate during your onsen session
Heat can dehydrate you faster than you expect. Please drink enough water during your onsen visit.
After Onsen: what to do before you leave the area
1) Dry yourself before stepping into the dressing area
Please wipe yourself off with small towel (face towel) before coming out of the bathing area.
This keeps the dressing area safer and drier for everyone.
2) No phones / no personal computers in the dressing area
For guest privacy, mobile phones and all other electronic devices are not allowed in both the dressing and onsen area.
3) Return used towels and yukata properly
Please put your used towel and yukata into the basket provided.
4) No photos or videos in onsen or dressing areas
To protect guest privacy, please refrain from taking photos or videos inside the onsen and dressing area.
How to wear a Yukata (simple steps)
If you’d like to wear the yukata provided by Yunomori, here’s the quick and correct way:
Step 1: Put yukata on after drying
Wipe your body dry and then put on the yukata.
Step 2: Wrap right side first, then left side on top
Bring the right side over the body first, then pull the left side over the right side.
Step 3: Tie the obi (sash)
Wrap the obi around your body and tie it at the front first.
- For girls: obi is typically tied under the bust
- For boys: obi is typically tied around the waist
Step 4: Move the knot to the back
Rotate the knot around to the back.
Quick checks (so it looks neat)
- Make sure both sides are even and the hemline is not too open
- Make sure the collar opening is not too loose
A gentle reminder (why these rules matter)
Onsen etiquette isn’t about strictness—it’s about shared comfort:
- privacy (no phones, no photos)
- hygiene (wash first, rinse before each bath)
- calm (quiet environment)
- safety (no running, dry off before dressing area)
When everyone follows the same manners, the whole experience feels smoother and more relaxing.
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