Japan onsen gay

Japanese onsen (hot springs) are a deeply ingrained part of Japanese culture, treasured for relaxation, socializing, and their healing mineral properties. Onsens are found across Japan, often surrounded by natural beauty, and can be either traditional outdoor baths or up-to-date, indoor facilities. Here’s a look at the history and what to anticipate, particularly for lgbtq+ travelers.

History and Cultural Significance

The use of hot springs in Japan dates support over 1,000 years, with records demonstrating samurai, monks, and nobles using onsens to heal and rejuvenate. Many onsens are considered holy due to Japan's connection between character and spirituality, with the mineral-rich waters believed to provide healing benefits for the skin, muscles, and general health. Onsens remain highly respected spaces for relaxation and are a beloved tradition. They are certainly not cruising areas!

Experience and Etiquette

Onsens go after specific etiquette to maintain a calm and clean environment. Key customs include:

• Nudity: Bathing suits are generally not allowed, so everyone enters the water nude: even tourists.

• Showering First: Bathers must thorough
  

  Hotels in Japan may not turn away gay couples. The Ministry of Health issued a warning to the sector. It reminds me of my trip to Nippon in 2013, where I witnessed something strange.

  The Ministry of Health has warned hotels and specifically affectionate hotels they can’t turn away homosexual couples. More in this at PinkNews.co.uk.

  What for us Belgians sounds dodgy, is very common in Japan. Couples depart to love hotels to have sex because they can’t find privacy at home. The square meter is so expensive and people live in petty spaces. Walls are also literally paper-thin.

  I wasn’t discriminated for being gay in Japan back in March 2013. But I did life this phenomenon: Japanese people look for intimacy in a crowd of strangers.

  Onsen and jjimjilbang

  Onsen (Japan) and jjimjilbang (Korea, where I stayed in 2014) are bathhouses. Historically warm springs, these are places where Japanese and Koreans move for a wash and a cleanse. The ritual is highly regulated. Men and women are separated.

  Writing about this issue reminds me of an elderly post by Brenton Parry. But there are more videos on the subject.

  Experience

  I visited two onsen in Japa
  

  24 Kaikan Shinjuku

  Great place

  I've been on Monday afternoons (from 2pm and from 4pm) and late blackout on Saturdays. The last day I went was Sat Pride 1 2025. Saturday night is wild - people queuing to get in, and saunas and sleeping areas packed with cruising around and men doing it. I imagine Fridays would be much the same. Though quieter, the afternoons still had enough people to keep me interested. If it's your first hour in this kind of place, I'd recommend going late afternoon, as it won't be overwhelming, but there will still be a stream of students and businessmen coming in for a quickie on their way residence. All I can say is, I've had an amazing moment there and recommend it for a 3-4 hour visit. There's always a wide range of types, with foreigners (tourists and those living in Japan) around 50:50 each time. I've always met some really hot guys and had some amazing encounters. It's always different- I've been there in the afternoon and only hooked up with non-Japanese, and in the evening and been pounced on by Japanese guys. The flow is: 1. At the entrance, take off your shoes and put them in the 10yen foot locker. 2. G
  

  Located in Osaka, Konpira Onsen is a local and intimate bathhouse frequented by Japanese men and a modest number of Asian tourists. Known for its cruisy atmosphere, this venue is particularly accepted within the queer collective. Open from 3:00 pm, it's a compact, no-frills experience priced at 520 yen, with Thursdays off. Bring your own towels and toiletries, and hope for to explore small but diverse spaces including saunas, steam rooms, and open-air areas. Despite its size, it can get bustling, especially during peak hours. Visit for a recognizable, community-focused experience in Japan's onsen culture.

  Reviews summary

  Konpira Onsen offers a unique experience praised for its friendly atmosphere and the variety of amenities like saunas and open-air areas. Visitors, mostly Japanese with some Asian and international guests, mention the onsen's popularity and engaging setting. A few reviews noted its crowdedness and minimal facilities, but generally, feedback was positive.