Bathing with Japanese host family

sky888 · Jul 15, 2004, 17:59

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 · Jul 15, 2004, 18:11

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 · Jul 15, 2004, 20:55

What I love the Ofuro and Onsen. I would set up camp probably if I could.

I say relax and have fun and just be careful where you swing your sword.

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 · Jul 15, 2004, 23:56

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 · Jul 16, 2004, 00:26

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!

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

dadako · Jul 16, 2004, 05:02

I seriously doubt they are inviting you to a mixed onsen

Golgo_13 · Jul 16, 2004, 05:37

Only at an Onsen.

Don't do it at home.

Exidez · Jul 16, 2004, 11:08

Originally Posted by Buddha Smoker

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

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 · Jul 16, 2004, 11:11

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

mdchachi · Jul 16, 2004, 20:35

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 · Jul 18, 2004, 02:03

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 · Jul 29, 2004, 10:51

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

MeAndroo · Jul 29, 2004, 11:41

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 · Jul 30, 2004, 08:28

Originally Posted by HaLeon

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

Timsan · Jul 30, 2004, 14:10

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

Ewok85 · Jul 30, 2004, 14:25

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

dadako · Jul 30, 2004, 17:55

Originally Posted by Timsan

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 · Jul 30, 2004, 18:15

Originally Posted by sgt. Pepper

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

me neither, i'm to shy

Utsuki · Jul 31, 2004, 12:20

Who created this naked bathing things?

byp · Jul 31, 2004, 13:31

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 · Jul 31, 2004, 16:35

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.

PaulTB · Jul 31, 2004, 16:44

Originally Posted by dadako

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.

Originally Posted by dadako

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

byp · Aug 1, 2004, 13:48

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · Aug 1, 2004, 14:01

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.

Originally Posted by byp

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!

Ewok85 · Aug 1, 2004, 14:46

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.

Jul 15, 2004, 17:59	#1
sky888 Regular Member Join Date: Jul 13, 2004 Posts: 50	Bathing with Japanese host family 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 __________________ The China Travel and Photography Forum www.MyChinaTrips.com

Jul 16, 2004, 05:02	#6
dadako super famicom Join Date: Dec 1, 2003 Location: 渋谷区 Age: 31 Posts: 182	I seriously doubt they are inviting you to a mixed onsen __________________ http://www.dadako.com/

Jul 16, 2004, 11:08	#8
Exidez Regular Member Join Date: Nov 23, 2002 Location: Australia Age: 23 Posts: 133	Originally Posted by Buddha Smoker What I love the Ofuro and Onsen. I would set up camp probably if I could. I say relax and have fun and just be careful where you swing your sword. 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.

Jul 29, 2004, 11:41	#13
MeAndroo Regular Member Join Date: Jul 29, 2004 Location: Asago-shi, Hyogo-ken Age: 27 Posts: 776	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. __________________ Go Trojans! Fight On!

Jul 30, 2004, 08:28	#14
Gackt_Camui Kurushii kurai ni Join Date: Jul 28, 2004 Location: tokyo,japan Age: 22 Posts: 18	Originally Posted by HaLeon 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

Jul 15, 2004, 18:11	#2
Ewok85 Cute and Furry Join Date: Nov 14, 2003 Location: Saitama/Tokyo Age: 24 Posts: 2,343	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.

Jul 15, 2004, 20:55	#3
Buddha Smoker Finally Enlighted One Join Date: Dec 8, 2003 Posts: 737	What I love the Ofuro and Onsen. I would set up camp probably if I could. I say relax and have fun and just be careful where you swing your sword. 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.

Jul 15, 2004, 23:56	#4
sky888 Regular Member Join Date: Jul 13, 2004 Posts: 50	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....

Jul 16, 2004, 00:26	#5
misa.j Regular Member Join Date: May 6, 2004 Location: NYS, US Age: 37 Posts: 1,165 Blog Entries: 4	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! I would have had a different opinion for a female exchange student, though.

Jul 16, 2004, 05:37	#7
Golgo_13 Koushaku Join Date: Nov 27, 2003 Location: KIX -> JFK -> LAX Posts: 1,402	Only at an Onsen. Don't do it at home.

Jul 16, 2004, 11:11	#9
Faustianideals Comfortably Ignorant Join Date: Jul 15, 2004 Location: Illinois, USA Age: 21 Posts: 762	Really don't try and stare too much if they did invite you to a mixed onsen.

Jul 16, 2004, 20:35	#10
mdchachi Taicho Join Date: Mar 6, 2003 Location: USA (Detroit area) Posts: 687	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.

Jul 18, 2004, 02:03	#11
sky888 Regular Member Join Date: Jul 13, 2004 Posts: 50	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..

Jul 29, 2004, 10:51	#12
sgt. Pepper Regular Member Join Date: Jul 29, 2004 Location: Sweden Age: 21 Posts: 123	Heh...i would never ever go to one of those places.

Jul 30, 2004, 14:10	#15
Timsan Regular Member Join Date: Dec 4, 2003 Location: Alaska/Alaskan Native (Inupiat) Age: 22 Posts: 241	I prefer Hungarian bath houses. I dont see what the point of being naked is. __________________ "A single death is a tradgedy, a million deaths is a statistic." - Stalin

Jul 30, 2004, 14:25	#16
Ewok85 Cute and Furry Join Date: Nov 14, 2003 Location: Saitama/Tokyo Age: 24 Posts: 2,343	In the mixed bath houses its not uncommon for people to wear a towel or bathers

Jul 30, 2004, 17:55	#17
dadako super famicom Join Date: Dec 1, 2003 Location: 渋谷区 Age: 31 Posts: 182	Originally Posted by Timsan 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.

Jul 30, 2004, 18:15	#18
tha_rippa1be Regular Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2004 Location: kapellen Age: 22 Posts: 62	Originally Posted by sgt. Pepper Heh...i would never ever go to one of those places. me neither, i'm to shy __________________

Jul 31, 2004, 12:20	#19
Utsuki Regular Member Join Date: Jul 19, 2004 Location: Johor Age: 24 Posts: 41	Who created this naked bathing things?

Jul 31, 2004, 13:31	#20
byp pinkerblub-san Join Date: Jul 24, 2004 Posts: 121	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 ! __________________ Bruhldehüüt en groelmundöl vishterkarn det nug belmergastreg kül de hüüt ! you'll never believe it, and yet, though, it turns ! les chiens aboient et la caravanne passe i move around, too...

Jul 31, 2004, 16:35	#21
Utsuki Regular Member Join Date: Jul 19, 2004 Location: Johor Age: 24 Posts: 41	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.

Jul 31, 2004, 16:44	#22
PaulTB Manga Psychic Join Date: Jan 22, 2004 Posts: 2,111	Originally Posted by dadako 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. Originally Posted by dadako naked is best, when you want to get clean and relax in hot water.

Aug 1, 2004, 13:48	#23
byp pinkerblub-san Join Date: Jul 24, 2004 Posts: 121	Originally Posted by 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. 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 ?

Aug 1, 2004, 14:01	#24
TimF Muffdiver Extraordinaire! Join Date: Jul 2, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 312	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. Originally Posted by byp 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! __________________ Cacawate Bodyguard lina inverse fan club member

Aug 1, 2004, 14:46	#25
Ewok85 Cute and Furry Join Date: Nov 14, 2003 Location: Saitama/Tokyo Age: 24 Posts: 2,343	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.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Christianity in Japan	berean_315	Religion in Japan	104	Dec 22, 2008 10:23
An Invasion Not Found in the History Books	lineartube	History & Traditions	17	Apr 28, 2004 06:14
Japanese Sword Q & A	Mandylion	History & Traditions	0	Mar 14, 2004 14:45
Japanese names : change and law	Maciamo	Japan Practical	24	Jul 25, 2003 01:09
ARTICLE: Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars	thomas	Comfort Women	0	Jan 27, 2001 16:00