Does Japan still have mixed baths?

Everything is rustic yet cozy, and comfortably warm. Tsurunoyu Onsen, located in southern Akita Prefecture, is experientially a slip back into olden times, deprived of all conceivable modern life. Here, in the naturally ice-blue colored hot springs water, they also continue Japan’s tradition of open-air mixed bathing.

Do mixed baths actually exist?

Records of the Konyoku onsen have dated as far back as the 9th century, but many scholars believed it existed even way before. Today, mixed-gender onsens are no longer a common sight, with places like Tokyo banning such establishments.

Where to find mixed gender onsen in Japan?

Today, konyoku (mixed-gender onsen) are hard to find, with places like Tokyo having bans on such establishments. Experiencing this one-of-a-kind Japanese tradition before they disappear completely is highly recommended. Use this quick guide to find mixed-gender onsen in the central Kanto region.

Are there any mixed gender hot springs in Tokyo?

Though there is only one outdoor mixed bath, Honke Bankyu offers a traditional, luxurious experience. The bath is only open to guests staying at the ryokan. They do not allow day trippers. Closest Station: Yunishigawaonsen Station. Take a taxi from the station.

Can you have a mixed gender onsen bath?

Onsen baths are often separated by gender, so even if you go with a family or a couple, you cannot spend time together. You might have known it already, but there are quite some places where you can enjoy mixed bathing. Mixed bathing hot springs are perfect for those who do not want to feel lonely. There are two ways to enjoy mixed bathing.

What does konyoku stand for in mixed gender?

Konyoku describes a mixed onsen (hot spring) in Japan, where, traditionally, men and women completely stripped off and bathed together, just as they would in a gender-separated onsen. The concept may be puzzling and a bit flustering for some, but essentially that’s what it was.