2018 Jan 19, on Japanese Culture Class at NAIST

1. ONSEN (温泉)
M1 TRAN VAN HIEN
JAPANESE CULTURE

2. WHAT IS AN “ONSEN”?
 Japanese hot spring
 Public bathhouse, spa, inn (ryokan),
or hotel with a bath of hot spring
water
 Onsen was traditionally used
as public bathing places, and today
plays a central role in Japanese
domestic tourism

3. HISTORY
 Dogo Onsen in Ehime Prefecture was
the first recorded (around the year
712)
 By the 12th century, onsen had
become widespread due to the
influence of Buddhism
 In the 17th century, the health
benefits were recognized.

4. BENEFITS AND EFFECTS
 Pharmacological effect
• A large amount of sodium
chloride components cover the
body like a veil
• Anti-aging effects
• Avoid skin disease-relation:
abrasions, burns, atopic
dermatitis, heat rash, and
eczema.

5. BENEFITS AND EFFECTS
 Thermal effect
• Improve blood circulation
• Increase the metabolism

6. BENEFITS AND EFFECTS
 Buoyancy effect
• The body became lighter.
• Relax the body and mind.

7. BENEFITS AND EFFECTS
 Pressure effect
• Under water pressure, the flow of
veins in the lower extremities is
improved
• Circulation of blood and lymph
also become active.

8. BENEFITS AND EFFECTS
 Environment effect
• Refreshed by leaving a home
to a different environment.
• Get away from the hectic life
of the city to experience
"naked communion"

9. HOW TO FIND “ONSEN”?
 The presence of an onsen is often
indicated on signs and maps by
the symbol ♨ or the kanji 湯,(yu,
meaning "hot water").
 Sometimes the simpler hiragana
character ゆ (yu) is used, to be
understandable to younger
children.

10. HOW TO BEHAVE IN “ONSEN”?
 Wash their bodies first.
 Bathing stations are equipped with stools, faucets,
wooden buckets, soap and shampoo.
 Entering the onsen while still dirty or with traces of
soap on the body is socially unacceptable.

11. RULES
 Don’t bring cameras.
 Swimsuit is not normally
allowed
 Bathers with tattoos are
banned

12. RULES
 No running, no swimming  No drunk people

13. DON’T BE SHY! JUST ENJOY!
 Please do not miss an essential part of what it is to be Japanese, by visiting to an
onsen at least one time.