RResidents in Japan

Mixed public onsens update?

  • November 13, 2025

My boyfriend is coming to japan and its in our bucketlist to definitely visit one. I checked out older posts but i also see occasionally that some of these places close down so i wanted to get an update on the matter. Preferably around kanto of course, and i don’t really care if it’s all Ojisans or anything, its absolutely fine. Any recommendation is appreciated

by Virtual-Worry-1507

10 comments

  3. Haccho no yu in the Okukinu area has a mixed public bath. 

    I went years ago and it had an adorably retro feel. I was the only woman in the mixed bath, lol. It was quite the experience. 

  4. Just rent a private room.

    For rotenburo bathing around Kanto though:

    Sainokawara Open-Air Bath (swimsuits required) Friday 17:30–20:00 on the men’s side (women’s side is always single sex)

    Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku – also swimwear required – I can’t remember which pools are mixed sex but it’s outdoor riverside and very nice

    https://www.onsensensei.com/en/guides/traditional-mixed-gender-onsens

    Honke Bankyu – has a mixed gender along with single gender pools

    There are some mixed gender places along the Izu peninsula but you really need a car to get to them and honestly I’ve always been by myself when I was visiting them (as in there wasn’t anyone else there – normally it’s run by the local community and you leave 500yen in a box by the gate) – they are seaside and I stop when I’m tired and feel like relaxing.

    That’s about it for Kanto that I know of.

  5. Kinuya (I think, or maybe kaniyu ) in Nikko had a mixed bath, separate from male and female baths. It’s extremely remote though.

  6. A few years ago I went to one in a nice hotel in Sendai, near Zao. Can’t remember the name of it though. Should be easy to find on Google.

  7. There is absolutely nothing of interest in a public mixed onsen except dirtier water and stares.

    Just pay more and get a ryokan with a private balcony onsen.

    Seriously, for anyone visiting Japan. One of the last great civil nations. Stop trying to do it on the cheap. Don’t have the money? Come back when you do.

    Fuck combinis and fuck mediocre family mart fried chicken.

    Spend money and do Japan right. This isn’t Phuket (yet). Treasure it, because it’s already mostly gone.

  8. Private rooms at hot spring hotels can be great.
    You get your own showers and baths to enjoy together. Many are outdoors with garden views.

    There are also hot spring rivers dotted around the country, eg: Kawayu Onsen in Tanabe, Wakayama. They’re public spaces, so they’re mixed, and swimwear is required.

  10. If you go up to iwate there are some mixed outdoor baths. It’s more than a little awkward tbh. The women mostly just wrap in a towel and go in modestly and the Japanese guys are just totally freaked out.

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