Onsen While On Your Period: Cultural Taboo Or Well-Prepared OK Experience?

So it came right when you parked your car at the ryokan you booked months ago. Are you going to laugh or cry during your stay? Here’s what you can do to make the most of your experience.

There are articles all over the internet on period sex, but what about period onsen (hot spring)? How many Japanese and foreign women do it? Are the only reasons to refrain from it simply social taboos or are there legitimate medical issues? If you are taking the plunge, what products will serve you best?

After being curious about it for way too long on my own, and after discovering that many other women are asking the same questions, I decided it was about time to plunge in and get some answers.

Attitudes About Period Onsen in Japan

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Like in many countries, the Japanese attitude to menstruation seems complex and contradictory. Although the practice has mostly died out, traditionally, a girl’s first period was a rite of passage in many areas of Japan, celebrated with food (typically red beans and rice) and rituals. Today, Japan is also one of few countries in the world where women are legally entitled to menstruation leave, though whether they actually feel comfortable taking it is another matter.

Yet, during my stay in Japan, I’ve encountered multiple signs at onsen telling me not to use the baths during menstruation. According to a 2021 Bathlier survey, the majority—64.5 percent—said that they believe period onsen is unacceptable, with most of them stating lack of hygiene and consideration toward other people as their prime reasons.

On the contrary, the 12 percent who were not against it said that “it should be okay as long as one takes proper measures before entering the onsen” and “as long as one is using a tampon and avoids heavy days, it shouldn’t be an issue.”

But then again—are we talking simply about public concerns and principles? What if there’s no one else in the onsen with you?

Is it safe to use onsen on your period?

The shortest answer to this, based on medical publications and articles in Japanese, is that doctors would, in general, not encourage you to go into an onsen while on your period.

The most common reasons are:  

1. It’s unsanitary and disrespectful toward other people 
2. Some women may experience dizziness in the onsen during the heavy flow days and bathing can put them at risk of fainting. (Due to a major loss of blood while on their periods, many women tend to experience temporary anemia and dehydration.)
3. There’s a risk of infection due to water entering the cervical opening. (When women are on their periods, the vaginal opening is looser than usual. Therefore, it’s easier for outside dirt and germs to enter the uterus.)

Even if you choose to ignore reason one, arguments two and three require serious consideration.

In regards to reason two, you know your body best, and if you know that you suffer from dizziness or nausea on your heavy flow days, then you should avoid submerging yourself in any 42 degrees celsius water during that time. Regarding three, as a personal sufferer of pelvic pain, I think vaginal infections are extremely dangerous.

Having said this, let’s still look at the ways one may protect themselves to reduce the risk, if you are still considering taking the plunge.

Tools & Tips For The Desperate

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Despite the reasons to avoid period onsen, there are precautionary ways to do it—according to Japanese women who do choose to do it.

Menstrual Cups

For the uninitiated, 月経カップ (gekkei kappu; “menstrual cups“) are reusable feminine hygiene products that are inserted into the vagina during menstruation. They are made out of rubber or silicone, shaped like a plunger, and most work with a “fold and pop”—you fold the cup to get it up there, and then it pops open inside you and does its job for up to 12 hours. Menstrual cup brands claim to be more hygienic and eco-friendly than tampons, as well as better for swimming: unlike tampons, they do not absorb fluid or any dirt that could be in the water. This is a plus for anyone using one in the onsen because there is less risk of infection. Also, no string, so no one can tell you’re on your period even though you’re naked.

The most popular brands are Mooncup, MeLuna and Rosecup. I reached out to these companies and asked them whether their product was safe to use in the onsen. MeLuna’s PR representative responded with:

“Yes, if it’s in the correct position, the device will not have any leakage, so you can go into the onsen.”

Tampons

Tampons are the most common measure used by Japanese women who chose to enter the onsen during their period. If you’re considering opting for tampons as well, make sure that the string is not clearly visible. Use a fresh one before entering and take it out as soon as you leave the onsen. Wash the area well before and after entering the bath, as usual. It’s also important to note that it’s best to refrain from using another tampon right away—give yourself enough time to cool down first.

Avoid Surmerging Into The Shared Bath

If you want to enjoy the onsen atmosphere without getting into the shared bath, just use the shower area to relax and refresh. On lighter-flow days, or if you’ve chosen one of the methods above but are still nervous, you could even consider dipping just your lower legs and feet in the bath—like a soothing ashiyu (foot bath)—while sitting on the edge with your small bath towel underneath you. Just make sure the towel is out of the water and that you’re not blocking the main entry area of the bath.

Surfing The Crimson Wave Across Borders: What People Say

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When it comes to your body, looking at the tools, the pros and cons only take you so far. Ultimately, what you feel comfortable doing depends on your personality, cultural upbringing and all the wonderful idiosyncrasies you bring to the table. This is why I asked women from a variety of nationalities about their thoughts.

A Chinese Tokyo resident was not on board.

“No onsen during my period. I don’t think it’s very clean. Also right before the period is not a great time to go into the onsen either because… I dunno, I was told so.”

A mixed-race woman encountered resistance from her Japanese mother.

“Personally, I think it’s perfectly fine to go to an onsen while on my period with a tampon, of course. Maybe not on my heavy flow days, just to be extra careful, but other than that, I think it’s fine. However, I’ve definitely gotten hesitations from my mother for suggesting going to an onsen while on my period. She would ask me, ‘Will it be okay?’ as if the blood would gush out as soon as I entered the bath. And I would have to reassure her that it would be fine. If wearing a tampon while swimming is ok, why not an onsen?”

A Japanese onsen fan’s only concern was discovery.

“I normally go to the onsen even if I have my period. I use a tampon but it’s hard to hide the string. But otherwise, it’s totally worth it.”

An Indonesian woman supports other women who want to but feels uncomfortable doing so herself.

“Personally, I think the issue of going to the onsen most of the time is more about how comfortable the individual woman is. Nowadays, there are so many ways to prevent the blood from leaking, but I would be simply overthinking it instead of enjoying the bath.”

As for myself.

If I was using a tampon, I would only go in on my light flow days. If I was using a menstrual cup I see no logical reason why I can’t go in at any point during my period.

So Can You?

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As discussed above, there is no concrete yes or no answer. Doctors and onsen owners would recommend staying away from the waters while on your period. However, there are women who do it with the right precautions. So, the answer is probably closer to, “It’s a personal choice.” Nevertheless, our bodies are more prone to infection during our periods, so it is crucial to be well-prepared and guarded. And, of course, be considerate toward your fellow onsen neighbors.

To stay on the safest side, it is best to avoid the onsen on your period. However, if you really desperately don’t want to miss out on the experience, just make sure to take the precautionary measures mentioned above to avoid embarrassment and discourtesy.

What do you think about going to the onsen on your period?

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This article has been updated and republished for 2024.

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