Bathing culture has a long history in Japan where, for centuries, the sento_ (public bath house) has been an integral part of daily life and the onsen (natural hot spring) a favourite holiday destination. Bathing in Japan might seem somewhat bewildering to the uninitiated, but if you keep the following things in mind, you are certain to make a splash; if only in a figurative sense!

• The personal items you are required to take may vary depending on the establishment. Generally onsen facilities will provide you with everything you need, whereas, when going to a sento_, you are generally expected to bring all of your own toiletries. Soap, towels, toothbrushes, razors and other items are usually available for purchase if you are not able to bring your own with you. Onsen usually have body soap and shampoo-conditioner pump packs available for general use.
• Shoe lockers are generally provided in the main entry. Payment may be made at the counter but you may be required to purchase an entry-token at a nearby vending machine instead.
• Onsen usually provide customers with a main locker key on a wrist strap and look after your shoe locker key for you.
• Pay careful attention to the noren doorway curtain hanging at the bath area entrance. This will indicate which is the female and which is the male bath. Noren do not always have distinguishing colours and are usually written in Japanese characters so it is best to ask if you are unsure. In some onsen where there is only one outside open-air bath, it is not uncommon for the location of the male and female baths to be rotated daily.
• Once inside, put your clothes in your assigned locker and use a small towel or te-nugui to cover yourself. Swimmers or undergarments of any kind are out of the question in the vast majority of Japanese baths. The towel can be used to wipe your face and eyes of sweat in the main baths and you should also use it to dry yourself before coming back into the locker room afterwards.
• Fasten the locker key around your wrist with the wrist strap and enter the main bath area. Take a stool and water bucket, usually stacked near the entry, and find a shower and tap recess to wash yourself before entering the baths.
• Be careful to set the temperature on the tap gauge before turning on the water. Forty degrees is generally a comfortable temperature. Each press of the tap button will generally provide about 20 seconds of water pressure. Pre-washing in warm water will help your body to acclimatise to the temperature of the bath water. Entering the main bath without washing is unhygienic and could make you light-headed or dizzy.
• Wash yourself using the soap provided or your own and rinse all suds away thoroughly before entering the main baths. You can use the bucket to pour water over yourself or use the shower nozzle or both. Be careful not to spray water onto nearby bathers with the shower nozzle and to return the stool and bucket to their stacks free of suds after the pre-bath washing.
• Remove your towel and enter the main bath. The towel should not be put in or submerged into the water. Some people fold it and place it on top of their head. However, it is probably best just to leave it in easy reach at the side of the bath where water will not splash onto it.
• Main baths tend to be around 42-44C. More upmarket facilities often boast a wide variety of different baths including jet baths, electric-current baths, baths with chemical additives or natural volcanic elements. Some rock pools, called roten-buro, are in garden surroundings and open to the outside air.
• Enter the water slowly and do not cause large ripples or waves that might upset those around you. Sit on the outer step up to your waist until you become accustomed to the temperature and then slip down to your chest or neck. It is best not to bob your head underwater and of course spitting water or rinsing your mouth is out of the question. Do not swim in the baths unless you are at a special hot spring resort that has signs indicating it is okay to do so.
• After bathing you may wash or shower again if you like, but if you have visited an authentic onsen, you may want to just dry yourself off and allow the water's therapeutic chemicals to work on your skin.
• Some establishments may also provide the following amenities: bathroom scales, hair dryers, electric cooling fans and rest areas with reclining chairs, massage units, televisions and vending machines.

Despite its initial complexities, Japanese-style bathing is an addictive pastime and there are many ardent fans who, despite having their own bathtubs at home, still make a habit of visiting the local sento_ or onsen whenever they get the chance.