AT THE ONSEN 

Inquiring About Day-Use / 日帰り利用を確認するとき 

1. Can I use the hot spring without staying overnight?

• Japanese: 日帰り入浴はできますか？

• Reading:  Higaeri nyūyoku wa deki-masu ka?

2. Does the fee include towels?

• Japanese: タオルは含まれていますか？

• Reading: Taoru wa fukumarete i-masu ka?

3. Can I rent or buy a towel?

• Japanese: タオルをレンタル（または購入）できますか？ 

• Reading: Taworu o rentaru deki-masu ka?)

🔑 Key Vocabulary / 単語

1. 日帰り入浴 (Higaeri nyūyoku) = Day-use hot spring

2. 受付 (Uketsuke) = Reception / Front desk

3. 入浴料 (Nyūyoku-ryō) = Bathing fee

4. タオル (Taoru) = Towel

⏱️ How to Say Time / 時間の伝え方

• 10:00 AM: 10時 (Jū-ji)

• 3:00 PM: 15時 (Jūgo-ji) / 午後3時 (Gogo san-ji)

• Last Admission: 最終受付 (Saishū uketsuke)

💡 Tip: Many day-use onsen sell small face towels ("Tenugui") that you can keep as a souvenir, while bath towels ("Basu-taoru") are usually rented.

Inquiring About Operating Hours / 営業時間を尋ねるとき 

1. What time is the day-use hot spring open until?

• Japanese: 日帰り温泉の受付は何時までですか？

• Reading: Higaeri onsen no uketsuke wa nan-ji made desu ka?

2. What time is the day-use reception open until?

• Japanese: 日帰り入浴の受付は何時までですか？

• Reading: Higaeri nyūyoku no uketsuke wa nan-ji made desu ka?

3. What time do you close today?

• Japanese: 今日は何時まで営業していますか？

• Reading: Kyō wa nan-ji made eigyō shite i-masu ka?

4. When is the last admission?

• Japanese: 最終受付は何時ですか？

• Reading: Saishū uketsuke wa nan-ji desu ka?

🔑 Key Vocabulary / 単語

1. 営業時間 (Eigyō jikan) = Operating hours

2. 受付 (Uketsuke) = Reception / Front desk[1]

3. 最終受付 (Saishū uketsuke) = Last admission / Last entry

4. 定休日 (Teikyūbi) = Regular holiday / Closed day

⏱️ How to Express Time & Terms / 時間と案内の表現

• From 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM: 10時から20時まで (Jū-ji kara nijū-ji made)

• Until 9:00 PM: 21時まで (Nijūichi-ji made)

• Last Admission (7:30 PM): 19時30分 最終受付 (Jūkyū-ji sanjū-pun saishū uketsuke)

💡 Tip: Japanese onsen facilities strictly separate "Closing Time" (営業終了) and "Last Admission" (最終受付). Last entry is usually 30 to 60 minutes before the baths close. Always check the "Saishū uketsuke" time so guests aren't turned away at the door!

Asking About Tattoo Policies / タトゥーの利用確認

1. Are tattoos allowed?

• Japanese: タトゥー（刺青）があっても利用できますか？

• Reading: Tatū ga attemo riyō deki-masu ka?

2. Do you sell cover stickers for tattoos?

• Japanese: タトゥー隠しシールは販売していますか？ 

• Reading: Tatū-kakushi shīru wa hanbai shite i-masu ka?

Reserving a Private Bath / 貸切風呂を予約するとき

1. Is a private bath available right now?

• Japanese: 今、貸切風呂（家族風呂）は空いていますか？

• Reading: Ima, kashikiri-buro wa aite i-masu ka?

2. How long can we use the private bath?

• Japanese: 貸切風呂の利用時間は何分ですか？ 

• Reading: Kashikiri-buro no riyō-jikan wa nan-fun desu ka?

3. Can I make a reservation for the private bath?

• Japanese: 貸切風呂の予約はできますか？

• Reading: Kashikiri-buro no yoyaku wa deki-masu ka?

🔑 Key Vocabulary / 単語

1. 貸切風呂 (Kashikiri-buro) = Private bath

2. 家族風呂 (Kazoku-buro) = Family bath

3. 予約 (Yoyaku) = Reservation

4. 空き (Aki) = Availability

⏳ Bath Duration / 利用時間の目安

• 45 minutes: 45分間 (Yonjūgo-fun-kan)

• 60 minutes: 60分間 (Rokujū-pun-kan)

💡 Tip: If you have visible tattoos, renting a "Kashikiri-buro" (Private Bath) is the easiest and most comfortable way to enjoy hot springs without any worry.

Storing Valuables & Luggage  / 貴重品や荷物を預けるとき 

1．Where are the coin lockers for valuables?

• Japanese: 貴重品用ロッカーはどこにありますか？

• Reading: Kichōhin-yō rokkā wa doko ni ari-masu ka?

2. Can you keep my large luggage at the front desk?

• Japanese: フロントで大きな荷物を預かっていただけますか？

• Reading: Furonto de ōki-na nimotsu o azakatte itadake-masu ka?

🔑 Key Vocabulary / 単語

1. 貴重品 (Kichōhin) = Valuables

2. ロッカー (Rokkā) = Coin locker / Locker

3. 荷物 (Nimotsu) = Luggage / Bags

4. 預ける (Azakeru / Azakatte) = Keep / Store

🪙 Locker Types & Usage / ロッカーの種類

• 100-yen Locker: 100円ロッカー (Hyaku-en rokkā)

• Refundable Locker: 100円返却式 (Hyaku-en henkyaku-shiki) (100 yen is returned after use)

• Front Desk Storage: フロント預かり (Furonto azakari)

💡 Tip: Many onsen lockers require a 100-yen coin to lock, which is refunded when you unlock it. Keep a few 100-yen coins handy in your bag before heading to the changing area!

Requesting Taxis & Shuttles / タクシーや送迎バスを尋ねるとき 

1. Could you please call a taxi for me?

• Japanese: タクシーを1台呼んでいただけますか？

• Reading: Takushī o ichi-dai yonde itadake-masu ka?

2. When is the next shuttle bus?

• Japanese: 次の送迎バスは何時ですか？

• Reading: Tsugi-no-sōgei basu wa nan-ji desu ka?

🔑 Key Vocabulary / 単語

1. タクシー (Takushī) = Taxi

2. 送迎バス (Sōgei basu) = Shuttle bus

3. 1台 (Ichi-dai) = One vehicle

4. 乗り場 (Noriba) = Bus stop / Taxi stand

5. 現金 (Genkin) = Cash 

🚗 How to Count Taxis / 車両の数え方

• 1 Taxi: 1台 (Ichi-dai)

• 2 Taxis: 2台 (Ni-dai)

💡 Important Taxi Tips for Onsen Towns / タクシー利用の重要アドバイス

• Wait Times & Advance Booking: Even in popular, tourist-heavy onsen towns, it usually takes about 15 minutes for a taxi to arrive. In more quiet or remote areas, you may need to wait 30 to 60 minutes. If you have a train or dinner reservation to make, always request or book your taxi as early as possible.

• Cash Payment & Small Bills: Many local taxis in traditional onsen areas do not accept credit cards, so always carry cash. Additionally, drivers may not have enough change for 10,000-yen notes. Please prepare 1,000-yen or 5,000-yen bills (and small coins) before getting in!

Finding Nearby Shops & Post-Bath Drinks  / 周辺施設や湯上りの飲み物を尋ねるとき 

1. Where can I get milk or cold drinks after bathing?

• Japanese: 湯上がりに牛乳や冷たい飲み物はどこで買えますか？ 

• Reading: Yuagari ni gyūnyū ya tsumetai nomimono wa doko de kae-masu ka?

2.  Are there any restaurants or convenience stores nearby?

• Japanese: この近くにお食事処やコンビニはありますか？ 

• Reading: Kono chikaku ni oshokuji-dokoro ya konbini wa ari-masu ka?

🔑 Key Vocabulary / 単語

1. 湯上がり (Yuagari) = After bathing / Post-bath

2. 牛乳 (Gyūnyū) = Milk (a classic Japanese post-onsen tradition!)

3. お食事処 (Oshokujidokoro) = Restaurant / Dining area

4. コンビニ (Konbini) = Convenience store

🥛 Post-Bath Culture Guide / 湯上がり文化

• Glass Bottle Milk: びん牛乳 (Bin-gyūnyū)

• Fruit Milk: フルーツ牛乳 (Furūtsu-gyūnyū)

• Rest Area: 休憩所 (Kyūkeijo)

💡 Tip: Drinking cold milk from a glass bottle in the rest area after bathing is a beloved Japanese onsen custom. Be sure to try it for the full authentic experience!