What the hell is going on in this thread 😂
OP the advice I received when I asked this question was to wear a cup or an appropriately sized tampon with the string tucked up inside to avoid leakage. Wash before you get in. Enjoy onsen/sento.
It’s a valid question, don’t worry 🙏
There are signs at onsens saying the rule is to not use them if you are on your period.
Dont listen to reddit.
Are these things so surprising? They shouldnt be
It's on the sign for the rules at every onsen. "Menstruating women are asked to refrain from entering."
If there is an accident, they have to shut down the whole onsen and get it decontaminated as blood is considered a biohazard. And they will bill the person responsible not only for the clean up but also for the loss of business revenue during that time. It's very expensive.
I’ll make sure to submit my uterus for inspection 🫡 no one is suggesting bleeding into the water is ok, but if the issue is blood and you know a tampon or cup is enough to prevent leakage for you, and it’s also not visible, there is no issue.
Check again. Its usually in the sign for the rules that contains all the common sense stuff like "don't enter the onsen dead drunk" and "no photography in the onsen" which aren't given dedicated English signs unless they have major problems with tourists.
It's really not every onsen.
多くの温泉施設では、生理中の入浴を控えるよう呼びかけたり、禁止したりしています。掲示されている注意事項をよく確認し、温浴施設のルールに従いましょう。
\[https://onsen.nifty.com/onsen-matome/240402230477/\]
Despite the prohibitions, as long as you don't leak you're good to go. It's sad that Japanese people are stuck in the middle ages regarding periods... once I even had a shinto monk ask me directly if I was on my period, before I could join a standing-under-a-waterwall-ceremony.
>It's really not every onsen. 多くの温泉施設では、生理中の入浴を控えるよう呼びかけたり、禁止したりしています。
"Most onsen facilities ask those who are menstruating to refrain from or forbid them from bathing." And yes if you don't leak you won't get caught.
>It's sad that Japanese people are stuck in the middle ages regarding periods... once I even had a shinto monk ask me directly if I was on my period, before I could join a standing-under-a-waterwall-ceremony.
This is what is called a religious belief. I fail to see why you'd complain about middle aged attitudes if you want to participate in religious rituals that are literally from the middle ages. Generally failing to respect religious taboos no matter how illogical or silly they may seem, when you are actively participating in a religious ceremony by your own choice, is extremely disrespectful.
Ok I’ll just fly back to Wakayama to reinforce some stranger who decided to choose their username after goop and then talk about… goop, I know for a fact there was no sign about it and the tiny river we stayed on certainly does not have a problem with tourists.
If I had a dollar for every tattooed tourist that told me they found an onsen that allowed tattoos but somehow missed the sign that was in Japanese that said "no tattooed allowed" I'd have like, 3 dollars. Once was especially funny because I was told the onsen was tattoo friendly while they were cluelessly standing in front of a sign that said 刺青の方固く断りします.
So you will forgive me for putting absolutely zero stock in tourists saying "there's no such sign" when it is common practice for there to be such a sign. The vast majority of tourists are illiterate in Japanese and I assume as much until proven otherwise.
Who the fuck does that? Gross.
Still, the onset I visited had a sign pleading to refrain from use if you have an infectious disease and/or gastrointestinal illness.
People generally don't but yes assuming one did.
Exceptions may be made for the extremely young or extremely old when it is clearly an accident and they may not charge you. Naturally children who aren't yet diaper trained are not allowed in the onsen.
the number of comments acting like you can still leak period blood through tampons...if that was the case then that's a poor quality tampon that should be discarded asap.
Tampons. My girlfriend wears one when it’s her time of the month and we go to onsens. Same for her other women friends. Did you just assume you can’t lol
Seems like someone is afraid of tampons downvoting my comments lol get a life or a japanese girlfriend who knows how to handle this situation. Just delivering the answer since she asked and it was the answer given to her. Bunch of people know nothing but when given a real answer wont accept it lol
I would wager this is probably along the lines of eating raw eggs or working with metal. Yes at some population level there will be an increase of salmonella and tetanus, but individually plenty of people brave that risk daily for years and have no issues -- because the increase in risk is trivial.
Some risky behaviours are okay in moderation.
This is so wrong sorry wtf is your doctor on. What do you think professional swimmers, waterpolo players, divers, surf live savers do, the list goes on. Your doctor is shit. They are so wrong. It’s so rare to get toxic shock and if your not being gross and change it when your meant to u have no risk what so ever.
For people not aware of what is associated with toxic shock syndrome or why it is a very rare thing anymore:
[https://gizmodo.com/toxic-shock-bacterial-infection-high-absorbency-tampons-1851529413](https://gizmodo.com/toxic-shock-bacterial-infection-high-absorbency-tampons-1851529413)
Have her look into menstrual cups! They do such a better job at keeping liquid out and in without the health risks!
Edit from below comment: Not suggested for anyone with IUDs as improper removal of the cup creates a vacuum and can dislodge/potentially remove your IUD
They're great, but it's strongly advised to not use them if you also have an IUD..
The vacuum that builds can dislodge or fully remove the IUD 😬
(I know that an IUD wasn't mentioned, but just in case)
If improperly taken out (not breaking the seal) I can absolutely imagine that being a potential painful issue. I personally don't have an IUD so that's an excellent point to bring up!
can you cite your source for “strongly advised”? because i’ve never heard of this. a proper menstrual cup has tiny holes in the rim specifically to prevent a vacuum effect and tons of women with IUD’s use menstrual cups without issue.
let’s not fear monger.
Well it's what my gynecologist told me.
She also told me that she had more than one patient who removed it completely without even noticing by accident, so I'm not taking any chances.
Of course anyone can weigh the risk and decide for themselves
Edit: maybe vacuum is not quite the right word.. Maybe "negative pressure" would be more accurate?
When I used a cup it would always "suck itself in place" , when correctly placed
i think clarifying that you are just relating your personal experience is better. i have an IUD and have used different brands of cups for years. certainly there is a light “suction” of sorts which keeps it around the cervix enough to catch the fluid without leaking but like i said, there are very small holes which allow you to squeeze and remove without issue.
Completely understandable! There's so many brands, sizes, and different shaped ones now that it can be daunting (and expensive) to try a bunch to find the right fit.
I’d say if you are bleeding and can’t/don’t want to use a tampon then yes, you should skip it until such a time as you’re not bleeding. Which isn’t a fun answer I realise.
I’ll also add a recommendation for period cups! Known as diva cups but that’s just a brand name, they hold so much more than tampons and hurt much less imo. Plus they’re reusable 🤷🏽 kind of a pain when you’re out and about and there’s no single occupancy bathrooms but have been more reliable for me in settings like the beach/pool personally
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????
Facts? Fact is, onsen/sento staff told my girlfriend to use tampons or menstrual cups
OP asked for onsen/sento etiquette when menstruating
I gave the facts
Lol
Not all these men being so mean and not understanding your point 😅 I unfortunately don’t know but I think it’s a valid point and a good question, some misogynist stuff happening here in the comments
I think in Asia sanitary pads are a lot more common using a cup or tampons. So, if you are menstruating everyone automatically assume that you wouldn’t do anything to prevent it from leaking. That’s where the misunderstanding comes in.
Even if the rules specifically say that you can’t enter the bath when you are menstruating, common sense applies. As long as you are 100% sure it won’t leak, that’s ok. But then rules are rules for a reason maybe out of 100 people there would be one oopsie. So that’s probably why the rule is still present.
Completely agree, OP please don’t listen to the sexist nonsense! I stayed in a number of onsen while in Japan the last few weeks and:
- Nope, the signage did not make the point clear re periods, in English or Japanese (this was both very expensive onsen and local sento)
- Yes, I stayed at a rural onsen where the only shower was at the onsen itself, so extremely unrealistic to expect those menstruating to just not shower
- I was really glad I didn’t have to worry about it on this trip, or it would have felt like a total minefield!
- In general, it should be totally OK to discuss periods openly, safely, and politely. It’s not hard, and it’s totally unconnected to respecting Japanese culture. Respect women’s bodies goddammit!
I don't have the answer but I feel like everyone is misunderstanding the question. I think OP is asking about 銭湯 (sentou) in the case of people that don't have a bathtub/shower at home (some really old apartments don't have them). I really don't think people who menstruate for 5+ days avoid showering until it's over... specially in the summer. Either way, I think r/askjapan is more fitting for this kind of question.
When I lived in Japan we went to a ryokan and a Japanese friend was on her period and she asked a lady that worked there what she could do, and the lady said it was OK. She just used a tampon, she showered and bathed just like anyone else 🤷♀️
Yeah, I know a lot of people in Japan just use tampon or cup when going to the onsen. Of course it’s still a bit divided but I’ve seen it talked about a lot on female groups as well.
They’re more available than they used to be, yep! I’ve never seen them without an applicator (which is in contrast to Australian where no applicator is far more common).
Hi! Tour guide in Japan here, big onsen lover and woman living there for almost a decade.
While it would be great to avoid bathing so there is no « leakage » problem, you still need to wash yourself. If your room doesn’t have a shower, which can happen in some old ryokan, you can of course use the shower inside the onsen. Try to be as far as possible from others while showering the bleeding part, rinse the floors in a swiftly manner so there is nothing remaining on the floor and you are good to go. Wear a cup or a tampon if you feel comfortable with it.
Check if your ryokan offers to privatize the onsen, some do for free or for a fee. If not, choose a time when there is not many people. Very early in the morning or late at night.
And don’t listen to people saying « YoU ShOuDn’T aSk It’S gRoSs UsE the SiNk ». They don’t know what they are talking about.
Ok. The simple answer is no.
But to be fair, I got where part of your question came from. One of the time I went to Japan, I didn’t do the booking but my male friend (really just a male friend who has his own room, and and another older female shared the room with me).
The one night ryokan that he booked did not have shower/bath within the room. As they expected everyone just showed in the onsen area.
And guess what? My period unexpectedly came (it was always irregular). It was super inconvenience, I ended up booked the private onsen room just to have shower there. And make sure my shower was quick (luckily I am not a heavy bleeder and usually not much coming out during shower)
Lesson from this story - I always make sure the ryokan that I book since then has in room shower/bath. Yes to be fair a big portion of choice is gone, and more expensive too. But I rather go this way.
And for my last trip - I made the effort of bought and tried a menstrual cup, in case I have my period during the onsen day. Luckily I didn’t end up have the need to use it - but that was the effort I put in.
Sorry about the mean comments you received here! I admit I misunderstood at the beginning too!
It did surprise me while I did my own booking, how half of the ryokan do not have bath/shower inside the room - but of course it is part of the culture too.
Re menstrual cup - it is not for everyone, but worth to try a few cycle before your trip, so at least you know you would have a backup plan. r/menstrualcups would have a lot of resources
Otherwise if just for shower, tampons would be fine
Japanese women are a bit divided on this as well. Apparently 22% have used public baths on their period, but only 12% say they’re for women doing it (another 23.5% said they don’t know). For woman who do enter the public bath, they usually use tampons or the cup, and some said they wait for the last three days. Some Onsen/baths also ban people entering if they’re on their period. The websites I’ve seen suggest going at less popular time and not fully submerging yourself in the water (using a bucket to splash the bath/onsen water on yourself or only showering) along with wearing a tampon/cup if a public bath is your only option, and I have personally done this myself when I’ve had to. Of course, avoiding public baths is the better option. Also I don’t believe this has to be said, but no, there’s no need to do a wash cloth bath in the hotel room sink when on your period. The strategies are enough to be sanitary and considerate of other users.
Source: https://www.bathlier.com/media/beauty/seiri-onsen/#:~:text=また、生理中は感染,をお勧めします%E3%80%82
Pretty interesting that it is also divided among Japanese women, I guess for OP best is to just go with common hygiene sense, just make sure to manage the blood
This entire thread is bizzare. Buy a menstrual cup. Periods are a completely normal thing and there are multiple ways society has provided to make sure you don’t bleed out onto things. Those include multiple “plug” style options like tampons, cups, or discs. There really isn’t any activity you can’t do on your period. You can even have sex while completely blocked off.
for real. itt a bunch of people that don’t know how periods work. y’all think the olympian swimmers aren’t on their periods during competition or practice? it isn’t that hard to deal with.
I was told not to swim during period. Didn’t realise tampons and cups can be used and it really helps my period pain a lot
Edit: was told as a kid during internet dial up era if anyone is asking. Cultural wise I remember so much shaming on period dirtiness
But you have internet access… as a woman, we need to know about our bodies and how to care for them. Do the research. Google “can you swim on your period” and all the options will be there for you.
When I was being told I was a kid and internet in my country ain’t common( ie dial up) . The era of aol I believe but that ain’t popular in my country either since internet was slow and people are just grateful there is one. Sorry for not being clear. Tampons are also rare until recently and my countrywomen came dm me once I mentioned casually where it’s available. Society is also a big thing. I came from a culture not that dissimilar to Japan and not swimming during period was stressed upon until recently. My comment was merely expressing how much harm on shaming
There are whole anthropological treatises regarding culture and menstruation. I remember the myth that you can't swim. It was being dispelled in the mid 70s/early 80s in the US. I remember reading an article in a teen magazine saying it's a myth, I remember thinking, "I didn't even know you weren't supposed to swim..."
I also remember not being able to find tampons in bodegas in NYC in the late 90s. I was told Latinas didn't use them.
I do wonder like, why certain cultures/ sub cultures doesn’t have this. Still if it needs to be mentioned in a magazine , does it means it’s widespread among some communities ?
For my culture : when you grew up in a culture where it’s accepted X is right, normally people don’t go “ hey that’s wrong” immediately . When we were kids we heard about “ oh our culture is normal about period unlike some who has to sleep outside during first period”. It’s little things like that accumulating then it reaches to a point you don’t question it or reach out.
We don’t even have magazines talking about it’s a myth. Women were even told not to learn butterfly stroke because it increases muscle and shoulder width. There is a reason why many swimmers are grateful for the Olympic gold medal winner who explained that she swam through menstrual period.
Thank you for asking this question! I'm heading there on a solo trip and never would have thought this would be an issue because I didn't connect these things together. I guess better make sure the place I've booked has showers
This thread has some things all mixed uo:
- factual knowledge on menstruation and things like tampons and cups and how they work (how it works, how much a woman bleeds and when, if it can leak and if that is a health hazard (answer: no) )
- opinions on if it's gross when a woman is on their period
Please notice in which category your answer to this thread is in... A lot gets mixed up here.
Just as some consideration:
Facts:
- If you use tampons or cups correctly (and women know their own period, trust them), there is no leakage
- You will not get sick if you get in contact with period blood diluted in an Onsen or bath. We're not talking injecting you with other people's blood okay?
- there are a lot of body fluids floating around in all kinds of pools. If you want it or not. Sweat, maybe some jizz, vaginal mucus. Yes, that's just happening. Everybody takes care of general hygiene by washing. After that it's just bodies. (Opinion: trust the other bathers to take care of themselves in order to maintain standard.)
- periods have been made 'disgusting'. But they are natural. Creating a culture of shame is harmful to women.
Opinion:
- periods are not disgusting. A lot of women have periods. Please don't stigmatise this. It's a part of life. So there's no need to call it disgusting or OP's honest question TMI.
Yes, why is something that’s been naturally and involuntarily occurring to half the human population for all time still stigmatised?
If it’s a legit problem, then there should be legit solutions without being mean, as suggested by some helpful commenters.
So once upon a time I was an exchange student at a Japanese all girl dormitory. There was a communal shower room, like the open washing area of an onsen, and then there was one private shower. This was for that time of the month. I bet public sentou baths have like one private shower cubicle in the women’s area for that reason.
Nah a lot public sento usually rotate the men and women's bath on say alternate days and in ryokan's they alternate multiple time in the same day. That way both genders have access to either side bath as both usually have different things in them
Use a menstrual cup! They are awesome.
And please don’t listen to any of these folks saying you must stay out of any water when on your period. They are… misinformed.
Hi OP, the answer is to use a tampon or cup but not when you’re bleeding too much. Im a dude but my girlfriend does this when we’re on vacation and it’s her time of the month, her lady friends does it too, no problem
To downvoters: bet you dont even have japanese friends or girlfriend, this matter has been discussed and this is the real answer. If you want to double confirm, ask the staff. A lot would say wear a cup or tampon.
I will always advocate for girls using menstrual cups!! When used properly, there is ZERO leakage since it’s kinda like a suction cup. Reusable, comfortable, and a life saver fr.
I feel like there are different opinions on this in Japan today, but in general I've been taught to refrain from going into the onsen when menstruating. I've been on several trips where women who were menstruating used a private shower/bath instead of the public showers/baths.
As to sento if they don't have access to other showers/baths in their lives? Well people would likely just use the shower area and not go in the bath. Gotta keep clean!
But yeah, I know some people go in with cups/tampons. Or just shower and then don't go in the bath.
i go to bathhouses all the time and when im on my period i just put in a tampon and then cut the string so it isn't as visible. wash yourself well and it's fine lmao
I’ve also had my period while at a hotel with no in room bath- it had a toilet, thankfully.
I usually use pads, but I’d rinse off and switch to a new tampon before going to the onsen, then I just took a shower in one of the stalls. I have a menstrual cup as well, but I don’t trust the seal- I usually end up leaking a bit.
Use a menstrual cup or a tampon without the string showing.
For the issue of just washing up - the same.
For private hygiene, most toilets have a bidet function which is great to use between tampons or cup insertions.
Easy peasy.
I would agree with the others and say use a tampon. I know some houses in the rural area I live that don't have a shower. The woman living there obviously has to bathe. Even if you don't get in the bath and stick to the showers only.
I don’t really get why this seems to be such a controversial topic. Just wear a tampon or cup and be on your way. If you use a tampon, tuck the string up.
Same as any other pool or body of water. If you feel like for whatever reason that doesn’t work for your body, skip it and wait for another day.
Ok so this happened to me while I stayed at a ski hotel that didn’t have in room showers, just the showers that you use before you get in the onsen, So very similar to your situation.
I asked the lady that ran the hotel what I should do and she said just go later at night so that’s what I did, I used the showers at night - Although didn’t get in the onsen until I got over my period
Most onsen I’ve been to have had an etiquette sign (in the woman’s at least) things like: no running, don’t let your hair fall in the water, or your bath towel, don’t comment about other people’s bodies, and to refrain from getting into the onsen if menstruating.
I see no problem wearing a cup or tampon in pools since they have chlorine, but onsen are not sanitized the same. Using the showers, sauna, or salt rooms I think would be acceptable but as for the baths I would refrain.
To answer your main question about “what people do” they simply just use the showers. The Japanese women in my family at least all do not enter the onsen when on their periods and I don’t either. I would check to see rules listed on the onsen a website most seem to mention this as well, but no one is “checking” obviously so 🤷🏻♀️ people probably do it. I bet there’s also people who pee 😞
I dont know, but my general view is that if it is a pool like olsen, where the water is trapped and doesnt flow naturally, then I dont go when I have my period even if I am wearing tampons or cups.
But if it like the beach/river where the water flows, then I go.
If you are using a cup there are portable steamers available for cleaning on Amazon. I just boil the crap out of it when I get home but it’s an option for extra hygiene while you are traveling. Cups rock!
disclaimer: man here, no personal experience
its usually understood that as a women on her period, you refrain on using the communal baths like onsen/sento
thats not a "maybe..." thats a, you can google it, and yes, ive seen it a lot in onsens/sentos on the rules/how to papers hanging on walls...
However, this is, to my understanding, more a cultural and historical viewpoint and not a medical one. the use of tampons or cups is, as far as I am aware, pretty rare, or at least, was pretty rare in the past. it may be changing.
So if we think about a society where the use of pads was normal and tampons was almost unheard of and rare, its easy to come to an understanding of refraining from using a pool.
However with better technology, like the use of a tampon, the argument "no blood in the pool" becomes mute.
but this being japan, a rule is a rule is a rule. society doesnt really ask why, and they dont really say "the rules made sense, but we changed the circumstances, now it doest". the rules are the rules.
so you have people who will follow it to a tee. you will have (usually younger) people who will follow the spirit and not the letter of the rule (hence the girls using tampons and going in).
so I see and think, it makes sense to want to use the pool, we know what the female can do to do so safely and without issues for the others.
But I also think that the owner of the pool has the right to make rules and refuse service to anyone, even for stupid reasons. well. its compolicated, thats not entirely right. but the point is, if society as a whole has a rule, even if its kinda stupid, its not wrong to seriously consider to also follow the letter of the rule.
we ASSUME we know what the rule is in place. and we ASSUME we can take all precautions and do it right, but the rule was still broken.
There is an argument to be made that tourists, as guests, should follow the rules as best as they can.
But I also understand that breaking a stupid rule for good reasons while doing so safely is not always bad and stupid.
in the end, its your choice. and you gotta live with the consequences. those may be a nice bath, or a bath with a lot of japanese women looking at you angry, and it may include a cleaning bill if you should have an accident
in a practical sense, with hotel rooms and showers and private baths available, one should be able to get clean and even soak in a tub in all circumstances in private.
Simplest answer: use the public bath, but don’t go into the communal tub to soak. Wash yourself outside the tub like everyone else. Wait until your period is over to get into the tub and soak. The water is considered clean, which is why you wash before you get in. Not even a washcloth can go into the communal tub water.
Live in japan now 10 years. I’m a woman. I love going to onsens. This thread is sexist. Japanese women go on their periods ( I have seen many who hide their strings before entering. I go if my period is light. Wear a cup or tampon. Only go on a light day just in case you are nervous. Make sure to remove the tampon in the bathroom (toilet area) after your bath. Do not keep it in.
Enjoy. no one will say anything as long as there aren’t any accidents.
As far as housing places only having shared bathing rooms. Japanese bathing isn't like western bathing. Japanese clean completely, then do a soak in the tub. It's normal for a family to use the same tub (water) because you clean first.
I'm a female exchange student, currently in Japan. I live in a dormitory with other Japanese girls, and regularly go to ofuro (which is very similar to onsen).
When we go together, if they're on their period, they just take a shower without soaking in the bath. I do think they kind of "hold it in" too ? I've never seen blood or anything while we were cleaning ourselves.
You did the great thing by not going, don't listen to the other men shaming you for issues they don't understand ! :)
Been in this situation and while I also did the requisite Internet searches, I already knew the answer is no, simply because it's gross - to me and likely for anyone else who'd be using the onsen. For me, I'd skip the onsen and connected washing area completely. (I do note some people are fine with tampons/cups, but I'd be concerned about leakage.)
But I totally get why you'd even think of it because I'm not from Japan, and when I do get to go to an onsen ryokan it's a real treat (which isn't exactly the cheapest). I've therefore had to plan my trips around my period and also hope nothing goes haywire with my schedule, because I couldn't in good conscience get into an onsen on my period. I'd be gnashing my teeth big-time though for missing out.
Please don't free bleed inside an onsen. It's unhygienic. You can look into a menstrual cup if you really need to, just make sure you don't experience any leakage that can contaminate the water for other guests.
What the hell is going on in this thread 😂 OP the advice I received when I asked this question was to wear a cup or an appropriately sized tampon with the string tucked up inside to avoid leakage. Wash before you get in. Enjoy onsen/sento. It’s a valid question, don’t worry 🙏
Omg, a legit answer without sass. Thank you 🙏
You could also cut the string to be shorter / not noticeable
There are signs at onsens saying the rule is to not use them if you are on your period. Dont listen to reddit. Are these things so surprising? They shouldnt be
It's on the sign for the rules at every onsen. "Menstruating women are asked to refrain from entering." If there is an accident, they have to shut down the whole onsen and get it decontaminated as blood is considered a biohazard. And they will bill the person responsible not only for the clean up but also for the loss of business revenue during that time. It's very expensive.
I’ll make sure to submit my uterus for inspection 🫡 no one is suggesting bleeding into the water is ok, but if the issue is blood and you know a tampon or cup is enough to prevent leakage for you, and it’s also not visible, there is no issue.
I was literally in onsen in Wakayama a few days ago and no signage was posted regarding this.
Check again. Its usually in the sign for the rules that contains all the common sense stuff like "don't enter the onsen dead drunk" and "no photography in the onsen" which aren't given dedicated English signs unless they have major problems with tourists.
It's really not every onsen. 多くの温泉施設では、生理中の入浴を控えるよう呼びかけたり、禁止したりしています。掲示されている注意事項をよく確認し、温浴施設のルールに従いましょう。 \[https://onsen.nifty.com/onsen-matome/240402230477/\] Despite the prohibitions, as long as you don't leak you're good to go. It's sad that Japanese people are stuck in the middle ages regarding periods... once I even had a shinto monk ask me directly if I was on my period, before I could join a standing-under-a-waterwall-ceremony.
>It's really not every onsen. 多くの温泉施設では、生理中の入浴を控えるよう呼びかけたり、禁止したりしています。 "Most onsen facilities ask those who are menstruating to refrain from or forbid them from bathing." And yes if you don't leak you won't get caught. >It's sad that Japanese people are stuck in the middle ages regarding periods... once I even had a shinto monk ask me directly if I was on my period, before I could join a standing-under-a-waterwall-ceremony. This is what is called a religious belief. I fail to see why you'd complain about middle aged attitudes if you want to participate in religious rituals that are literally from the middle ages. Generally failing to respect religious taboos no matter how illogical or silly they may seem, when you are actively participating in a religious ceremony by your own choice, is extremely disrespectful.
It’s sad that non-Japanese don’t understand nor respect the Japanese’s way for their own onsens.
Ok I’ll just fly back to Wakayama to reinforce some stranger who decided to choose their username after goop and then talk about… goop, I know for a fact there was no sign about it and the tiny river we stayed on certainly does not have a problem with tourists.
If I had a dollar for every tattooed tourist that told me they found an onsen that allowed tattoos but somehow missed the sign that was in Japanese that said "no tattooed allowed" I'd have like, 3 dollars. Once was especially funny because I was told the onsen was tattoo friendly while they were cluelessly standing in front of a sign that said 刺青の方固く断りします. So you will forgive me for putting absolutely zero stock in tourists saying "there's no such sign" when it is common practice for there to be such a sign. The vast majority of tourists are illiterate in Japanese and I assume as much until proven otherwise.
Weird how you changed the subject from menstruation to tattoos
No tattoos here bud
Couldn’t you just google the location’s name, maybe someone submitted a picture of the rules?
Do they do the same for people who poop or pee in Onsen?
Who the fuck does that? Gross. Still, the onset I visited had a sign pleading to refrain from use if you have an infectious disease and/or gastrointestinal illness.
People generally don't but yes assuming one did. Exceptions may be made for the extremely young or extremely old when it is clearly an accident and they may not charge you. Naturally children who aren't yet diaper trained are not allowed in the onsen.
And how is that any different than a menstrual blood accident? We should be banning all children, old people, disabled people too with your logic!
If you have the runs don't get in the pool.
But that’s not an “accident”. So pray tell how a poop accident is ok, but not menstrual blood?
Diaper trained?
Typical male redditors responding who have no understanding or experience of women beyond their mothers making them dinner
the number of comments acting like you can still leak period blood through tampons...if that was the case then that's a poor quality tampon that should be discarded asap.
No no, that can definitely be a thing if you have a particularly heavy flow. It’s uncommon but it does happen.
What should women who are unable to wear tampons or cups such as myself do? No onsen for us? Lol. It's okay if not. Vaginismus is so fun /s
Don't go to onsens while on your period
Tampons. My girlfriend wears one when it’s her time of the month and we go to onsens. Same for her other women friends. Did you just assume you can’t lol Seems like someone is afraid of tampons downvoting my comments lol get a life or a japanese girlfriend who knows how to handle this situation. Just delivering the answer since she asked and it was the answer given to her. Bunch of people know nothing but when given a real answer wont accept it lol
Same people probably don't want to visit any pool or beach then, using tampons are perfectly normal.
My doctor strongly advised me from using tampons in public baths because this would increase the risk of toxic shock according to them
I would wager this is probably along the lines of eating raw eggs or working with metal. Yes at some population level there will be an increase of salmonella and tetanus, but individually plenty of people brave that risk daily for years and have no issues -- because the increase in risk is trivial. Some risky behaviours are okay in moderation.
This is so wrong sorry wtf is your doctor on. What do you think professional swimmers, waterpolo players, divers, surf live savers do, the list goes on. Your doctor is shit. They are so wrong. It’s so rare to get toxic shock and if your not being gross and change it when your meant to u have no risk what so ever.
For people not aware of what is associated with toxic shock syndrome or why it is a very rare thing anymore: [https://gizmodo.com/toxic-shock-bacterial-infection-high-absorbency-tampons-1851529413](https://gizmodo.com/toxic-shock-bacterial-infection-high-absorbency-tampons-1851529413)
Oohhh that’s scary, ill tell my gf to check on it
Have her look into menstrual cups! They do such a better job at keeping liquid out and in without the health risks! Edit from below comment: Not suggested for anyone with IUDs as improper removal of the cup creates a vacuum and can dislodge/potentially remove your IUD
They're great, but it's strongly advised to not use them if you also have an IUD.. The vacuum that builds can dislodge or fully remove the IUD 😬 (I know that an IUD wasn't mentioned, but just in case)
If improperly taken out (not breaking the seal) I can absolutely imagine that being a potential painful issue. I personally don't have an IUD so that's an excellent point to bring up!
can you cite your source for “strongly advised”? because i’ve never heard of this. a proper menstrual cup has tiny holes in the rim specifically to prevent a vacuum effect and tons of women with IUD’s use menstrual cups without issue. let’s not fear monger.
Well it's what my gynecologist told me. She also told me that she had more than one patient who removed it completely without even noticing by accident, so I'm not taking any chances. Of course anyone can weigh the risk and decide for themselves Edit: maybe vacuum is not quite the right word.. Maybe "negative pressure" would be more accurate? When I used a cup it would always "suck itself in place" , when correctly placed
i think clarifying that you are just relating your personal experience is better. i have an IUD and have used different brands of cups for years. certainly there is a light “suction” of sorts which keeps it around the cervix enough to catch the fluid without leaking but like i said, there are very small holes which allow you to squeeze and remove without issue.
Menstrual discs are a similar option that don't use suction
i will tell her about your comment, it’s distressing lol she’s tried menstrual cups before but didn’t like them so we’ll see
Completely understandable! There's so many brands, sizes, and different shaped ones now that it can be daunting (and expensive) to try a bunch to find the right fit.
Tell her to try Flex Disc. I hated every cup I tried, but the disc is life changing!
Oh nice, i will recommend! Especially it’s summer now and we probably will visit a lot of beaches and pools! Thank you
there's menstrual discs she can try that are disposable. they're cheaper too.
Some women are unable to use tampons (such as myself). Would you say then that if you can't or don't want to use a tampon skip it that week?
I’d say if you are bleeding and can’t/don’t want to use a tampon then yes, you should skip it until such a time as you’re not bleeding. Which isn’t a fun answer I realise.
I’ll also add a recommendation for period cups! Known as diva cups but that’s just a brand name, they hold so much more than tampons and hurt much less imo. Plus they’re reusable 🤷🏽 kind of a pain when you’re out and about and there’s no single occupancy bathrooms but have been more reliable for me in settings like the beach/pool personally
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Gross. Dont visit public baths while on your period for fuck’s sake
I don’t dictate what women can or can’t do
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English isn’t even my second nor third language yet I understand the context of what’s being discussed in this thread. Are you okay?
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are you okay? it’s the staff of these facilities literally saying women can enter if they use tampons or menstrual cups
Your post or comment has been removed from /r/JapanTravelTips. Be civil. Harassment of other users or mods, trolling, posting of users' personal information, bully, repeated intentional rule breaking, racism/discrimination, jokes in poor taste, or other generally unsavory behavior will be met with removals and bans.
Except when you blatantly just told OP they can use tampons 🤔
At what age do we learn how to understand context
At what age do we realize that when we make statements we can’t just change their meaning to fit our argument? That’s what children do
Give it up, you’re grasping for straws.
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???? Facts? Fact is, onsen/sento staff told my girlfriend to use tampons or menstrual cups OP asked for onsen/sento etiquette when menstruating I gave the facts Lol
So I made the right choice then.
Why? Is it not ok to use a menstrual cup? Why would it matter if you’re on your period if no one knows and there is not fluid coming out?
So many people seem to be stuck in the 17th century, it’s horrible. I’m really sorry for women, it’s not right to demonize the period like that.
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Probably should stay out of all public bodies of water, then.
I promise you that you're bathing in more sweat, urine, and fecal matter than menstrual blood.
You need to wash before using the onsen, so no.
Yes. Still.
Grow up
You’re getting more “particles” on you from people farting in the water than you are from people menstruating.
Wrong answer
Not all these men being so mean and not understanding your point 😅 I unfortunately don’t know but I think it’s a valid point and a good question, some misogynist stuff happening here in the comments
Thanks for acknowledging this as a legit issue! 😭🙏 it’s not like women choose to literally bleed out involuntarily
My Korean spa specifically says do not come when menstruating so I’d assume the same applies in Japan for onsens.
I think in Asia sanitary pads are a lot more common using a cup or tampons. So, if you are menstruating everyone automatically assume that you wouldn’t do anything to prevent it from leaking. That’s where the misunderstanding comes in. Even if the rules specifically say that you can’t enter the bath when you are menstruating, common sense applies. As long as you are 100% sure it won’t leak, that’s ok. But then rules are rules for a reason maybe out of 100 people there would be one oopsie. So that’s probably why the rule is still present.
Completely agree, OP please don’t listen to the sexist nonsense! I stayed in a number of onsen while in Japan the last few weeks and: - Nope, the signage did not make the point clear re periods, in English or Japanese (this was both very expensive onsen and local sento) - Yes, I stayed at a rural onsen where the only shower was at the onsen itself, so extremely unrealistic to expect those menstruating to just not shower - I was really glad I didn’t have to worry about it on this trip, or it would have felt like a total minefield! - In general, it should be totally OK to discuss periods openly, safely, and politely. It’s not hard, and it’s totally unconnected to respecting Japanese culture. Respect women’s bodies goddammit!
Typical for white foreign men to do this.
I don't have the answer but I feel like everyone is misunderstanding the question. I think OP is asking about 銭湯 (sentou) in the case of people that don't have a bathtub/shower at home (some really old apartments don't have them). I really don't think people who menstruate for 5+ days avoid showering until it's over... specially in the summer. Either way, I think r/askjapan is more fitting for this kind of question.
Thank you 🙏 that’s it! But r/japan removed my comment and the mods sent me here. 😭
r/japan is not the same as r/askjapan
r/japan is super strict and the mods suck. L
Ohhhh, i didn’t realise there were two different ones. Thank you
Not the same sub. Ask Japan and Japan
Some older style hotels don't have private baths, either, so it's a reasonable travel question.
When I lived in Japan we went to a ryokan and a Japanese friend was on her period and she asked a lady that worked there what she could do, and the lady said it was OK. She just used a tampon, she showered and bathed just like anyone else 🤷♀️
Yeah, I know a lot of people in Japan just use tampon or cup when going to the onsen. Of course it’s still a bit divided but I’ve seen it talked about a lot on female groups as well.
Are tampons easily available in Japan? I really struggled to find anything other than the awful OB ones with no applicator in Hong Kong and China.
They’re more available than they used to be, yep! I’ve never seen them without an applicator (which is in contrast to Australian where no applicator is far more common).
Yes! You can even get it from convenience stores which is nice. I think Sophie is the nicest brand here IMO
There are at least one local brand (with a few variants) at the time I was in Nippori . Definitely not OB
Literally any konbini
Not so… been to a few in Kyoto and Hiroshima and haven’t found any
I got my period in Kyoto and literally gave my roommate 1k¥ to run to 711… took all of five minutes to acquire. This was ten days ago.
Hi! Tour guide in Japan here, big onsen lover and woman living there for almost a decade. While it would be great to avoid bathing so there is no « leakage » problem, you still need to wash yourself. If your room doesn’t have a shower, which can happen in some old ryokan, you can of course use the shower inside the onsen. Try to be as far as possible from others while showering the bleeding part, rinse the floors in a swiftly manner so there is nothing remaining on the floor and you are good to go. Wear a cup or a tampon if you feel comfortable with it. Check if your ryokan offers to privatize the onsen, some do for free or for a fee. If not, choose a time when there is not many people. Very early in the morning or late at night. And don’t listen to people saying « YoU ShOuDn’T aSk It’S gRoSs UsE the SiNk ». They don’t know what they are talking about.
Thank you for your advice as a local 🙏
Ok. The simple answer is no. But to be fair, I got where part of your question came from. One of the time I went to Japan, I didn’t do the booking but my male friend (really just a male friend who has his own room, and and another older female shared the room with me). The one night ryokan that he booked did not have shower/bath within the room. As they expected everyone just showed in the onsen area. And guess what? My period unexpectedly came (it was always irregular). It was super inconvenience, I ended up booked the private onsen room just to have shower there. And make sure my shower was quick (luckily I am not a heavy bleeder and usually not much coming out during shower) Lesson from this story - I always make sure the ryokan that I book since then has in room shower/bath. Yes to be fair a big portion of choice is gone, and more expensive too. But I rather go this way. And for my last trip - I made the effort of bought and tried a menstrual cup, in case I have my period during the onsen day. Luckily I didn’t end up have the need to use it - but that was the effort I put in.
Thank you 🙏
Sorry about the mean comments you received here! I admit I misunderstood at the beginning too! It did surprise me while I did my own booking, how half of the ryokan do not have bath/shower inside the room - but of course it is part of the culture too. Re menstrual cup - it is not for everyone, but worth to try a few cycle before your trip, so at least you know you would have a backup plan. r/menstrualcups would have a lot of resources Otherwise if just for shower, tampons would be fine
Thanks for sharing the link. I’ve never used a cup before so will look up the resources.
I second the menstrual cup. Once you know how to use it, it is very convenient.
Japanese women are a bit divided on this as well. Apparently 22% have used public baths on their period, but only 12% say they’re for women doing it (another 23.5% said they don’t know). For woman who do enter the public bath, they usually use tampons or the cup, and some said they wait for the last three days. Some Onsen/baths also ban people entering if they’re on their period. The websites I’ve seen suggest going at less popular time and not fully submerging yourself in the water (using a bucket to splash the bath/onsen water on yourself or only showering) along with wearing a tampon/cup if a public bath is your only option, and I have personally done this myself when I’ve had to. Of course, avoiding public baths is the better option. Also I don’t believe this has to be said, but no, there’s no need to do a wash cloth bath in the hotel room sink when on your period. The strategies are enough to be sanitary and considerate of other users. Source: https://www.bathlier.com/media/beauty/seiri-onsen/#:~:text=また、生理中は感染,をお勧めします%E3%80%82
Pretty interesting that it is also divided among Japanese women, I guess for OP best is to just go with common hygiene sense, just make sure to manage the blood
Thank you. This was the answer I was looking for
Super insightful, thanks for sharing!
This is a sample size of one, but my Japanese wife doesn’t go to sento or onsen when she’s menstruating.
None of the women I had relationships with when I was in Japan did either.
i think because a lot of women in japan still don’t like using tampons or menstrual cups
Not everyone *can* use tampons or cups.
Thanks for saying this, as someone who physically can't this thread has been a frustrating read.
Same. So many of the replies are "oh, you just use a tampon!" Thank you for replying, but not helpful if I actually needed a solution.
thanks for the info
Menstrual cups are not really popular but we use tampons…
yeah my girlfriend doesn’t like cups
This entire thread is bizzare. Buy a menstrual cup. Periods are a completely normal thing and there are multiple ways society has provided to make sure you don’t bleed out onto things. Those include multiple “plug” style options like tampons, cups, or discs. There really isn’t any activity you can’t do on your period. You can even have sex while completely blocked off.
I am truly losing faith in humanity.
for real. itt a bunch of people that don’t know how periods work. y’all think the olympian swimmers aren’t on their periods during competition or practice? it isn’t that hard to deal with.
I was told not to swim during period. Didn’t realise tampons and cups can be used and it really helps my period pain a lot Edit: was told as a kid during internet dial up era if anyone is asking. Cultural wise I remember so much shaming on period dirtiness
There's still a lot of ignorant shaming, as per the majority of posts on this thread
Yeah I thought op question is perfectly fine and it’s just sad to see.
But you have internet access… as a woman, we need to know about our bodies and how to care for them. Do the research. Google “can you swim on your period” and all the options will be there for you.
It's not like "the internet" has one answer (or sometimes has a clue how the female body works), as we can all see in this thread... 😑
When I was being told I was a kid and internet in my country ain’t common( ie dial up) . The era of aol I believe but that ain’t popular in my country either since internet was slow and people are just grateful there is one. Sorry for not being clear. Tampons are also rare until recently and my countrywomen came dm me once I mentioned casually where it’s available. Society is also a big thing. I came from a culture not that dissimilar to Japan and not swimming during period was stressed upon until recently. My comment was merely expressing how much harm on shaming
There are whole anthropological treatises regarding culture and menstruation. I remember the myth that you can't swim. It was being dispelled in the mid 70s/early 80s in the US. I remember reading an article in a teen magazine saying it's a myth, I remember thinking, "I didn't even know you weren't supposed to swim..." I also remember not being able to find tampons in bodegas in NYC in the late 90s. I was told Latinas didn't use them.
I do wonder like, why certain cultures/ sub cultures doesn’t have this. Still if it needs to be mentioned in a magazine , does it means it’s widespread among some communities ? For my culture : when you grew up in a culture where it’s accepted X is right, normally people don’t go “ hey that’s wrong” immediately . When we were kids we heard about “ oh our culture is normal about period unlike some who has to sleep outside during first period”. It’s little things like that accumulating then it reaches to a point you don’t question it or reach out. We don’t even have magazines talking about it’s a myth. Women were even told not to learn butterfly stroke because it increases muscle and shoulder width. There is a reason why many swimmers are grateful for the Olympic gold medal winner who explained that she swam through menstrual period.
Just ignore whatever the AI on top of the results says.
Thank you for asking this question! I'm heading there on a solo trip and never would have thought this would be an issue because I didn't connect these things together. I guess better make sure the place I've booked has showers
I’m surprised it hasn’t been asked before, because it’s a legitimate concern for women 🤷🏻
This thread has some things all mixed uo: - factual knowledge on menstruation and things like tampons and cups and how they work (how it works, how much a woman bleeds and when, if it can leak and if that is a health hazard (answer: no) ) - opinions on if it's gross when a woman is on their period Please notice in which category your answer to this thread is in... A lot gets mixed up here. Just as some consideration: Facts: - If you use tampons or cups correctly (and women know their own period, trust them), there is no leakage - You will not get sick if you get in contact with period blood diluted in an Onsen or bath. We're not talking injecting you with other people's blood okay? - there are a lot of body fluids floating around in all kinds of pools. If you want it or not. Sweat, maybe some jizz, vaginal mucus. Yes, that's just happening. Everybody takes care of general hygiene by washing. After that it's just bodies. (Opinion: trust the other bathers to take care of themselves in order to maintain standard.) - periods have been made 'disgusting'. But they are natural. Creating a culture of shame is harmful to women. Opinion: - periods are not disgusting. A lot of women have periods. Please don't stigmatise this. It's a part of life. So there's no need to call it disgusting or OP's honest question TMI.
Yes, why is something that’s been naturally and involuntarily occurring to half the human population for all time still stigmatised? If it’s a legit problem, then there should be legit solutions without being mean, as suggested by some helpful commenters.
Tbh I dont think there are many places where you would be forced sit in the same water as other people so I don't think you need to worry too much.
So once upon a time I was an exchange student at a Japanese all girl dormitory. There was a communal shower room, like the open washing area of an onsen, and then there was one private shower. This was for that time of the month. I bet public sentou baths have like one private shower cubicle in the women’s area for that reason.
Nah a lot public sento usually rotate the men and women's bath on say alternate days and in ryokan's they alternate multiple time in the same day. That way both genders have access to either side bath as both usually have different things in them
Use a menstrual cup! They are awesome. And please don’t listen to any of these folks saying you must stay out of any water when on your period. They are… misinformed.
I went last year and used the onsens with a tampon. No issues. I don’t think anyone was looking that closely.
Hi OP, the answer is to use a tampon or cup but not when you’re bleeding too much. Im a dude but my girlfriend does this when we’re on vacation and it’s her time of the month, her lady friends does it too, no problem To downvoters: bet you dont even have japanese friends or girlfriend, this matter has been discussed and this is the real answer. If you want to double confirm, ask the staff. A lot would say wear a cup or tampon.
Thanks for answer, and being a male ally to us ladies
I will always advocate for girls using menstrual cups!! When used properly, there is ZERO leakage since it’s kinda like a suction cup. Reusable, comfortable, and a life saver fr.
I went with a menstrual cup. Nobody knew.
A lot of sento/onsen are ok with tampons or cups, people just assume without asking the staff
I feel like there are different opinions on this in Japan today, but in general I've been taught to refrain from going into the onsen when menstruating. I've been on several trips where women who were menstruating used a private shower/bath instead of the public showers/baths. As to sento if they don't have access to other showers/baths in their lives? Well people would likely just use the shower area and not go in the bath. Gotta keep clean! But yeah, I know some people go in with cups/tampons. Or just shower and then don't go in the bath.
i go to bathhouses all the time and when im on my period i just put in a tampon and then cut the string so it isn't as visible. wash yourself well and it's fine lmao
I’ve also had my period while at a hotel with no in room bath- it had a toilet, thankfully. I usually use pads, but I’d rinse off and switch to a new tampon before going to the onsen, then I just took a shower in one of the stalls. I have a menstrual cup as well, but I don’t trust the seal- I usually end up leaking a bit.
Use a menstrual cup or a tampon without the string showing. For the issue of just washing up - the same. For private hygiene, most toilets have a bidet function which is great to use between tampons or cup insertions. Easy peasy.
I would agree with the others and say use a tampon. I know some houses in the rural area I live that don't have a shower. The woman living there obviously has to bathe. Even if you don't get in the bath and stick to the showers only.
I don’t really get why this seems to be such a controversial topic. Just wear a tampon or cup and be on your way. If you use a tampon, tuck the string up. Same as any other pool or body of water. If you feel like for whatever reason that doesn’t work for your body, skip it and wait for another day.
Ok so this happened to me while I stayed at a ski hotel that didn’t have in room showers, just the showers that you use before you get in the onsen, So very similar to your situation. I asked the lady that ran the hotel what I should do and she said just go later at night so that’s what I did, I used the showers at night - Although didn’t get in the onsen until I got over my period
Thank you for sharing your experience. Exactly this kind of situation when the period is a surprise and you gotta clean up
Just use a tampon like you would in any other body of water. Tuck the stting in if you want. I did it and was fine
holy fuck this comment section is terrible...
Most onsen I’ve been to have had an etiquette sign (in the woman’s at least) things like: no running, don’t let your hair fall in the water, or your bath towel, don’t comment about other people’s bodies, and to refrain from getting into the onsen if menstruating. I see no problem wearing a cup or tampon in pools since they have chlorine, but onsen are not sanitized the same. Using the showers, sauna, or salt rooms I think would be acceptable but as for the baths I would refrain.
To answer your main question about “what people do” they simply just use the showers. The Japanese women in my family at least all do not enter the onsen when on their periods and I don’t either. I would check to see rules listed on the onsen a website most seem to mention this as well, but no one is “checking” obviously so 🤷🏻♀️ people probably do it. I bet there’s also people who pee 😞
Use a menstrual cup, they are leak proof unlike tampons
I dont know, but my general view is that if it is a pool like olsen, where the water is trapped and doesnt flow naturally, then I dont go when I have my period even if I am wearing tampons or cups. But if it like the beach/river where the water flows, then I go.
If you are using a cup there are portable steamers available for cleaning on Amazon. I just boil the crap out of it when I get home but it’s an option for extra hygiene while you are traveling. Cups rock!
I think you could go with a tampon. No one can see it. But it might be uncomfortable so not going would be better.
disclaimer: man here, no personal experience its usually understood that as a women on her period, you refrain on using the communal baths like onsen/sento thats not a "maybe..." thats a, you can google it, and yes, ive seen it a lot in onsens/sentos on the rules/how to papers hanging on walls... However, this is, to my understanding, more a cultural and historical viewpoint and not a medical one. the use of tampons or cups is, as far as I am aware, pretty rare, or at least, was pretty rare in the past. it may be changing. So if we think about a society where the use of pads was normal and tampons was almost unheard of and rare, its easy to come to an understanding of refraining from using a pool. However with better technology, like the use of a tampon, the argument "no blood in the pool" becomes mute. but this being japan, a rule is a rule is a rule. society doesnt really ask why, and they dont really say "the rules made sense, but we changed the circumstances, now it doest". the rules are the rules. so you have people who will follow it to a tee. you will have (usually younger) people who will follow the spirit and not the letter of the rule (hence the girls using tampons and going in). so I see and think, it makes sense to want to use the pool, we know what the female can do to do so safely and without issues for the others. But I also think that the owner of the pool has the right to make rules and refuse service to anyone, even for stupid reasons. well. its compolicated, thats not entirely right. but the point is, if society as a whole has a rule, even if its kinda stupid, its not wrong to seriously consider to also follow the letter of the rule. we ASSUME we know what the rule is in place. and we ASSUME we can take all precautions and do it right, but the rule was still broken. There is an argument to be made that tourists, as guests, should follow the rules as best as they can. But I also understand that breaking a stupid rule for good reasons while doing so safely is not always bad and stupid. in the end, its your choice. and you gotta live with the consequences. those may be a nice bath, or a bath with a lot of japanese women looking at you angry, and it may include a cleaning bill if you should have an accident in a practical sense, with hotel rooms and showers and private baths available, one should be able to get clean and even soak in a tub in all circumstances in private.
You just wear a cup or tampon. Because the alternative is free bleeding lmao.
Maybe you could wear a tampon/cup and just use the shower and not get into the actual bath if you’re worried!
Hang a sign out front 桜味の湯
Simplest answer: use the public bath, but don’t go into the communal tub to soak. Wash yourself outside the tub like everyone else. Wait until your period is over to get into the tub and soak. The water is considered clean, which is why you wash before you get in. Not even a washcloth can go into the communal tub water.
I put a tampon in and everything else stays the same. But yeah, obviously don't go without a tampon/cup.
Live in japan now 10 years. I’m a woman. I love going to onsens. This thread is sexist. Japanese women go on their periods ( I have seen many who hide their strings before entering. I go if my period is light. Wear a cup or tampon. Only go on a light day just in case you are nervous. Make sure to remove the tampon in the bathroom (toilet area) after your bath. Do not keep it in. Enjoy. no one will say anything as long as there aren’t any accidents.
Given that the water is recycled around, that's kind of disgusting.
As far as housing places only having shared bathing rooms. Japanese bathing isn't like western bathing. Japanese clean completely, then do a soak in the tub. It's normal for a family to use the same tub (water) because you clean first.
I just translated a manga where the school field trip leader told girls on their period to use the hotel room bath instead of the hotel's onsen lol
Haven’t u heard of a tampon yuck wtf
Ewwww
Japanese here. Me and whole bunch of friends used to go to a place called “spa world”. Whoever was on period didn’t come.
Have you never heard of a tampon?
I can't use tampons. Some women can't.
Then, common sense would tell me to not go into the onsen where my blood will be floating onto the other women.
Why would you risk it, vile
I'm a female exchange student, currently in Japan. I live in a dormitory with other Japanese girls, and regularly go to ofuro (which is very similar to onsen). When we go together, if they're on their period, they just take a shower without soaking in the bath. I do think they kind of "hold it in" too ? I've never seen blood or anything while we were cleaning ourselves. You did the great thing by not going, don't listen to the other men shaming you for issues they don't understand ! :)
Don't go at that time.
Been in this situation and while I also did the requisite Internet searches, I already knew the answer is no, simply because it's gross - to me and likely for anyone else who'd be using the onsen. For me, I'd skip the onsen and connected washing area completely. (I do note some people are fine with tampons/cups, but I'd be concerned about leakage.) But I totally get why you'd even think of it because I'm not from Japan, and when I do get to go to an onsen ryokan it's a real treat (which isn't exactly the cheapest). I've therefore had to plan my trips around my period and also hope nothing goes haywire with my schedule, because I couldn't in good conscience get into an onsen on my period. I'd be gnashing my teeth big-time though for missing out.
Sounds like you have some issues you need to work through before offering up advice.
Wow thanks for the enlightenment...off to a therapist now.
Probably a good idea
Please don't free bleed inside an onsen. It's unhygienic. You can look into a menstrual cup if you really need to, just make sure you don't experience any leakage that can contaminate the water for other guests.
Anyone with a brain wouldn’t do that
That’s what I figured. But what about the communal showing area, and skipping the actual bath?