Family gathering at Japanese hot spring! Introduction to our “family onsen” – Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and more!

Photo: Dai-ichi Takimotokan

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Family gathering at Japanese hot spring! Introduction to our “family onsen”.

For people travelling with children or/and elderly parents to Japan, we highly recommend “family onsen”. Japanese hot springs, or onsens, can refresh you, make you feel relaxed, and have medicinal properties good for health and beauty. Experiencing onsens with your family is especially enjoyable. This article introduces three different ways to get the most out of onsens, so please take a look if you are planning a family trip to Japan.

１. Family onsen at public baths

Photo: Dai-ichi Takimotokan

At onsen ryokans, there are gender-segregated large public baths with open-air hot springs. Every ryokan puts a great deal of effort into distinguishing its own public baths from others, concerning their sizes and natural scenery. Soaking in spacious baths with your family is an out-of-the-ordinary experience which provides exceptional amusement to family members of the same sex. You will not worry about being seen by others at a large hot spring bath.

2. Private family onsens

That said, there are onsen ryokan beginners who easily get nervous, and people may who want to enjoy the onsen with family members of the opposite sex. I have written and published an article on “couple onsen” where you can have a romantic time with your lover of the opposite sex on this website, but I am also sure many people want to enjoy onsens with their families in a private setting, regardless of gender.

*What are differences among private open-air baths in rooms and private-use hot spring baths (Kashikiri buro)?

As I have explained in the “couple onsen” article, there are actually hot spring facilities in Japan where men and women can take a dip together, including theme park-style “spa lands” where everybody wears swimsuit, and “mixed baths” (or “konyoku” in Japanese) where all people bathe together, naked. But neither of them meets the needs of families who want to enjoy hot springs in a relaxed and slow manner. Most people on family trips like to unwind in traditional, authentic Japanese onsens.

The solution here is “private family onsen” where your family, regardless of sex, can occupy the whole hot spring. There are basically two types of family onsens – private onsens in guest rooms, and onsens outside guest rooms for you to charter. Many onsen ryokans in Japan have either or both of them.

A. Private onsens in guest rooms

Photo: Ryokan Sanga

B. Onsens outside guest rooms for you to charter

Photo: Bousui

In both cases, your privacy will be fully protected. You do not need to care about others’ eyes, and are free to enjoy the hot spring with your family in the way you like. Depending on the family’s preference, you can either bathe together or take the water separately at any time you like. The hot spring is here for your family.
*Note about “A. Private onsens in guest rooms” : At some ryokans,  each guest room with private onsens is limited to the use of two adults. Please read the details of each plan when you do a booking.

Private family onsen is particularly engaging when you are travelling with aging parents and/or small kids

Many travellers visit Japan in the form of family vacation. There may be both masters and beginners of Japan tourism and onsen in the same family. As stated before, if the group includes elderly persons and small children, being separated from them may cause extra anxiety.

For instance, my father is the only male member in my family which consists of my parents, my sister and me (I am a Hong Kong woman living in Tokyo). Every time we go to a Japanese hot spring, the three women become anxious and feel sorry for Dad. The slippery floor, and the high temperatures and humidities are also causes for concern. Personal problems including high blood pressure, diabetes and weak legs add to the anxiety.

In contrast, private family onsen allows the whole family to enjoy onsen while keeping each other in sight, removes the lonely feeling, and let all other family members to take care of persons who are not used to Japanese hot springs, who suffer from chronic illnesses, who experience mobility difficulties, as well as small children. It ensures safety and security for the whole family.

It is nice to have a quiet and elegant time at a private family onsen for sure, but if you like, you can also enjoy it with other family members in a lively manner. You have the say because nobody is going to bother you in a family onsen. Through pleasant conversations and relaxing together, you will feel warmth and happiness of the family, and realise that your family is becoming more harmonious. Some family onsens are open-air baths or indoor baths with exceptionally fine scenic views, and therefore make your family even more pleased. The experience at family onsen will become a beautiful and unforgettable memory shared by every family member.

3．Attractions of family onsen apart from the hot spring bath

Apart from the hot spring itself, distinctive guest rooms, food, yukata and futon unique to Japan can also help you create special memories with your family at the onsen ryokan.

Photo: Hotel New Awaji

Many onsen ryokans provide spacious guest rooms called “wayo-shitsu” (lit. Japanese-western rooms) that consist of a pure Japanese room (washitsu), a western-style bedroom and a living room. The whole family can enjoy their time together at such a guest room. Please choose a large room when you make a reservation.

Photo: Dai-ichi Takimotokan

At onsen ryokans, you can dine inside the guest room (called “heya-shoku”) instead of at the restaurant. Heya-shoku is an ideal style of dining for families. It even allows you to send your children to bed at any time when they become sleepy. Please choose a plan with heya-shoku if you want to have meals inside the guest room.

Photo: Dai-ichi Takimotokan

Most ryokans provide yukata with sizes for both adults and children. What about changing into yukata and take commemorative pictures of the whole family? That would become a wonderful memory of your Japan trip.

Photo: Dai-ichi Takimotokan

If you stay at a washitsu (Japanese-style room), you will have to sleep on futon. Different from ordinary beds, sleeping on futon with other family members is a special cultural experience. If you have small kids, you don’t have to be worried about their safety, as they will not fall off the bed.

Let’s stay at ryokans with your family and have an unforgettable experience of the fascinating family onsen!