Bathing with Japanese host family

[sky888]

I was on an study exchange program and i was put up with a very friendly Japanese family of 4 person

Everything was so awesome and the togetherness of the family, and some of the traditional way of doing up the dishes really did impressed me

However, on few occassions, I was asked to bath with the whole family at an onsen. I was feeling very shy and didn't seem to be brave enough to go with them

Is family taking bath together still a popular thing to do in modern Japan? Just for my knowledge, what is the best way should I react to their request.. that is should I accept and go with them to the onsen? and any thing I have to take note over there?

Cheers

[Ewok85]

I'm a guy, and had no problem going to an onsen with my two brothers and host father, or my friends at school. It's not considered unusal, but its not as common as it used to be.

[Buddha Smoker]

What I love the Ofuro and Onsen. I would set up camp probably if I could. :D I say relax and have fun and just be careful where you swing your sword. :D

Seriously, bath houses and onsens are a lot of fun. There's no need to be shy but I know a first-timer can be nervous. Once, you get past that then you'll see how fun and relaxing they can be....especially they have various types. I remember one Onsen that I went to that had a coffee-smelling bath, rose one, one with sake pouring into it, a magnetic one, man the list can go on and on. The point is I think foreigners take it for granted and they are still popular with Japanese, it's calmed down a bit but it's getting popular slowly again.

[sky888]

I have visited onsen with my guy friends and it's really clean both your body and relax the mind! especially if it is in the winter.. I am so taken by the whole concept

the only issue is that my host family consisit of their parents and a sister of my guy friend.. so there's 2 ladies within the group of 5

think I am just not prepared for a mixed onsen....

[misa.j]

The ladies might go to one for only women if they want to.

If they don't, just try not to stare them, and enjoy the relaxation! :blush:

I would have had a different opinion for a female exchange student, though.

[dadako]

I seriously doubt they are inviting you to a mixed onsen

[Golgo_13]

Only at an Onsen.

Don't do it at home.

[Exidez]

What I love the Ofuro and Onsen. I would set up camp probably if I could. :D I say relax and have fun and just be careful where you swing your sword. :D

Seriously, bath houses and onsens are a lot of fun. There's no need to be shy but I know a first-timer can be nervous. Once, you get past that then you'll see how fun and relaxing they can be....especially they have various types. I remember one Onsen that I went to that had a coffee-smelling bath, rose one, one with sake pouring into it, a magnetic one, man the list can go on and on. The point is I think foreigners take it for granted and they are still popular with Japanese, it's calmed down a bit but it's getting popular slowly again.

you said a magnetic one...
i went to one before and there was electricity going though it. You sit down and you get the biggest shock of you life if you didnt know what it was. You get zapped with electricity!! Is this what you were talking about??
it wasnt painful though, just unusual. It was more like a tingle then a zap.. if you know what i mean


but as for going to the onsen with your host family...
you have to get pasted that first time. After that you dont care anymore. When you go there no one looks at you becauce you are a foreigner. They respected that you are different from them and they wont harash you.

[Faustianideals]

Really don't try and stare too much if they did invite you to a mixed onsen. :note:

[mdchachi]

Are you sure it was a mixed (konyoku) onsen? That would be pretty unusual these days, even for families.

I'd do it, since it's easy enough to modestly hold a towel in front of you while you're walking around. So people won't see much of your important parts anyway.

[sky888]

think they invited me for the mixed onsen out of coustery.. maybe.. but i am sure the whole family was going to do it together..

[sgt. Pepper]

Heh...i would never ever go to one of those places.

[MeAndroo]

It's not like people are there to stare at your equipment. I've never felt as clean as I did after an onsen trip, even with my host family. Even going in with my host uncle and brother, I never spoke to them outside of the locker room area since people are bathing to relax. Plus there's the massive drinking that seems to follow every onsen trip I was on...good times.

[Gackt_Camui]

I was on an study exchange program and i was put up with a very friendly Japanese family of 4 person

Everything was so awesome and the togetherness of the family, and some of the traditional way of doing up the dishes really did impressed me

However, on few occassions, I was asked to bath with the whole family at an onsen. I was feeling very shy and didn't seem to be brave enough to go with them

Is family taking bath together still a popular thing to do in modern Japan? Just for my knowledge, what is the best way should I react to their request.. that is should I accept and go with them to the onsen? and any thing I have to take note over there?

Cheers

whatever you know you like that :okashii:

[Timsan]

I prefer Hungarian bath houses. I dont see what the point of being naked is.

[Ewok85]

In the mixed bath houses its not uncommon for people to wear a towel or bathers

[dadako]

I prefer Hungarian bath houses. I dont see what the point of being naked is.

to get clean?


naked is best, when you want to get clean and relax in hot water.

[tha_rippa1be]

Heh...i would never ever go to one of those places.
me neither, i'm to shy :blush:

[Utsuki]

Who created this naked bathing things?

[byp]

so what ?
who is
ashamed ,
affraid,
unproud
of his / her body ??
if you worry about that kind of things, you'll end up with a heart attack at 40 !!!
just go there and enjoy. you look beautiful anyway !

[Utsuki]

Hahahahaha!
I don't live in Japan so I don't have a chance to go for one. :-)

And, I'm not so pretty so I won't have the confidence to go for one. Hehe. :bluush:

[PaulTB]

to get clean?
Aha! But the point in Japan is to get clean first before you relax in the hot water. Otherwise you end up as one of the reasons some onsen have 'Japanese Only' signs up.
naked is best, when you want to get clean and relax in hot water.

[byp]

Hahahahaha!
I don't live in Japan so I don't have a chance to go for one. :-)

And, I'm not so pretty so I won't have the confidence to go for one. Hehe. :bluush:
of course you are.
beauty is in your head, nowhere else.
and look around you, there will be at least half the audience who is really less pretty than you.
so what you worry ?

[TimF]

I dont know much about those things can you wear shorts in em? If I could wear shorts this might be cool. Hell if I can wear shorts into the showers in gym why cant I here?

I am not one to flaunt my pride.

so what ? who is ashamed , affraid, unproud of his / her body ??

I AM! Listen when you are a 300 lbs guy with an assfro and small man breasts and so much leg hair you could shave it all off and take care of the locks for love cancer foundation for a year you kinda become self-concious about your body! :D :D :D

[Ewok85]

Pfft weak excuse, strip off, heres your undersized towel, GET IN!

Like i said, mixed onsens they noramally allow you to wear swimsuit, shorts etc.

[Timsan]

to get clean?


naked is best, when you want to get clean and relax in hot water.

you dont go to a bath house to get clean, you shower before hand and then go in the water to relax. in hungary its the same thing except you just dont have to worry about perverts, pedophiles, homosexuals staring at your genitals and fantisizing.

[Ewok85]

in hungary its the same thing except you just dont have to worry about perverts, pedophiles, homosexuals staring at your genitals and fantisizing.

Love to know where that comment came from :souka:

[TwistedMac]

Love to know where that comment came from :souka:
hungary apparently

[infinitijapan]

i like this ideal very much, part of me thinks ooo naked japanese women O_O but i think that it is more important to relaxe and i very much like the ideal of these bathing houses.
and who cares if someone looks at your private and has fantasy's i dont??its just some loser having stupid thoughts

[TwistedMac]

i'd go so far as to say who cares if it's a loser that you think is gross.. if someone has erotic fantasies about me, whoever it may be.. i'm flattered... you don't have thoughts like that about anyone.. you choose the best ones since you CAN... if it's just a fantasy you get to choose whoever you want, right?

so if some dude has fantasies about me it must mean he thinks i'm the hottest guy in there.. i may not be gay, but i can spot a chance to get some good self-confidence when i see it ;)

as long as he doesn't act on it, i'm good :-)

[Ewok85]

I'm yet to see a mixed onsen where women actually get naked... I need to go to more I think.

But otherwise I've never had a problem getting my kit off, whether with strangers, family or friends. What do you have to lose anyway?

[infinitijapan]

hahahaha exactly my thoughts!
-sends high five-
|if some dude has fantasies about me it must mean he thinks i'm the hottest guy in there.. i may not be gay, but i can spot a chance to get some good self-confidence when i see it ;)|

[Uncle Frank]

I used to have a ball listening to the coments. I never spoke Japanese to let on I could overhear & understand.
I'm white as a ghost and "VERY" hairy. The most often heard comment was about the gaijen gorilla/monkey. I would pat my hair down, lick my arms a little like a cat grooming. Grunt like an ape and walk like one; put on a real show. My japanese buddies would be rolling around laughing while those not in on the joke wondered WTF?
Anyway, just go and enjoy, never worry what others think!

Frank

:blush:

[RockLee]

WHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA Frank.....you got me rolling all over the place too man !!!! :cool: :D :D :p ...*makes note, I'm a hairy(legs) guy kinda too...as to show my equipment...maybe they'll start making gestures and say things like "whoa Godzilla!!* j/k :blush: well...I would have my jaw dropped to the floor if some pretty Japanese chicks went there as well *nose starts to bleed* :D *
and I would just get my small butt in the pool ASAP !!:blush:

[Ewok85]

BWAHAHA, thats a good onsen story :cool:

Apart from doing laps of the bath and pouring FREEZING cold water on my friend going to an onsen/sento has always been a nice relaxing experience (after going fishing/drinking, sento after a long day of training).

[TimF]

Is it bubbley like a hot tub or is it calm like a bath tub beacuse if it bubbley like a hot tub hell ill do a cannonball in arse naked! I dont know though franks story has incouraged me I might just do a cannonball in the arse naked anyway!!!!! Maybe play some marco polo idk!!!! :D :D :D

[RockLee]

hahahaha....today is the BE FUNNY day heheheeh :D Yeah doing a cannonball in ya naked arse would impress the chicks.....NOT !!!! :p They'd maybe be like "woooooow he has some big equipment!!*and they all want to date you :D *shakes awake....sighs* :souka:

[TwistedMac]

Is it bubbley like a hot tub or is it calm like a bath tub beacuse if it bubbley like a hot tub hell ill do a cannonball in arse naked! I dont know though franks story has incouraged me I might just do a cannonball in the arse naked anyway!!!!! Maybe play some marco polo idk!!!! :D :D :D

ok, i've seen that in a few places now.. what is the marco polo thing about?.. it's very american...

as far as i can figure, when you're in a pool you go "Marco" and someone replies "Polo".. right?.. so why???

[jovial_jon]

I've seen it on the Simpsons when Bart and Lisa do it but I don't know what it means either!

I think I would be nervous about the bathing even though I shouldn't be I just would. I'm pretty shy so I'd be a bit apprehensive, but I'd be fine :p .

Oh, and I agree that being eyed up by anyone is a complement. Everyone likes a bit of an ego-boost every now and then! :D

[TimF]

ok, i've seen that in a few places now.. what is the marco polo thing about?.. it's very american...

as far as i can figure, when you're in a pool you go "Marco" and someone replies "Polo".. right?.. so why???

T.Mac i regret to inform you that after this post i will no longer have that orange belt that you passed on to me. :( But marco polo is where somone closes there eyes in a pool and says marco and then other people that have their eyes open say polo as they scrambel around the pool to try to keep away from the guy with his eyes closed it is kind of like a blind game of hide and go seek that you play in a pool and if you open your eyes you have to start over and if someone gets out of the pool so you cant get them you say "fish out of water!!!!" and the person that was out is now the guy that has to be it but if you are like me you say polo and then slowly go under the water so you dont make any noise and then push off the side of the pool (remaining underwater the entire time) and end up on the other side the person that is it will be totoaly confused!!!! LOL oh no i am giving away all my seacreats!! Next i will tell you how to do the perfect cannonball that will even get the lifeguards wet!!!LOL First you have to be about 300lbs LOL!!!

[TwistedMac]

thsnks for clearing that up.

[infinitijapan]

marco polo is fun with women..you kinda peek and go and grab there boobs and go "eh i found you!" hahaha and then you get slapped

[sbv0001]

>> .........and then you get slapped

*rotfl*

[RockLee]

hahahahaha *SLAP*....maybe they like it but they just have to do it because it is "RIGHT" ? :D :blush:

[TimF]

marco polo is fun with women..you kinda peek and go and grab there boobs and go "eh i found you!" hahaha and then you get slapped

Im glad I am not the only one that does that!!!! :relief: :D

[Faustianideals]

Yeah I do that too, but I usually get kicked.

[TimF]

I just get stared at no phisical beatings are handed to me. :D

[infinitijapan]

there are others things you can do in the game that envlove your umm.."polo" but i dont think its appropriate to post it here ^_^

[TimF]

there are others things you can do in the game that envlove your umm.."polo" but i dont think its appropriate to post it here ^_^


LMAO yea no doubt ...*thinks back to those days* ahh happy times.

:D :D :D

[dayjp]

I seriously doubt that you were headed to a mixed onsen. as stated above, these are rare, and people will were bathing suits. It sounds like you backed out before you saw there were two doors.

There is the option of "family only" in some hotels. Still, I don't think your family was going to make you do that. With older kids, I doubt they do that when you are not there.

While we are on the onsen thing, Japanese people do not wash before entering the onsen. First they get in the onsen and soak, get out and clean, then get back in. This is oposite from most of the books and discussions i have had. I have been to many onsens, and I guess i was so busy making sure that I washed first that I didn't notice that other people didn't.

I say most people beacuse it seems that younger adults do wash first, but my father-in-law gets right in along just like the other older men.

I wash first, and I don't think I will ever change that.

[Ewok85]

I wash first, no way your going to get my out of that hot water to freeze my ass off just to get clean.

[RockLee]

Oh man...with all the Onsen stories I feel like booking my vacation tomorrow and get the hell to Japan ASAP!!!But then the stupid exams I have to retake.....T_T
It's not fair!!! :( ..Oh well...If I graduate now I'm in Saporro for hopefully 20 days this Christmasvacation :-) Ganbatte !!!

[Utsuki]

That Marco Polo thing... Do you all really play these games even there are women in the onsen? :?

I'm so shocked! :shock:

[dadako]

Aha! But the point in Japan is to get clean first before you relax in the hot water. Otherwise you end up as one of the reasons some onsen have 'Japanese Only' signs up.

last time I checked, "onsen" is a place where one gets clean. The order of where one gets clean is not up for despute. It still stands, the best way is to take off all your clothes.

Tokyo only really has "sento" anyway, and there's a greater need to get clean after you've soaked!!

Japanese are concerned that without the act of mutual nakedness, children will not be properly socialized, so it's a worry generally that more onsen and sento are being closed down as it makes more otaku

[RockLee]

oh no!!!Don't close the onsen down before I went there pls !!!! T_T...I want to go so bad...*no otaku here :-)*

[Ewok85]

Japanese are concerned that without the act of mutual nakedness, children will not be properly socialized, so it's a worry generally that more onsen and sento are being closed down as it makes more otaku

Plenty stripping off happening at school I think.... always wondered why it was like that. Could be a good excuse :D