Japan is the best country in the world for campervan hygiene — because onsen (hot springs) are literally everywhere, and they are affordable, clean, and one of the best parts of traveling in Japan.
Your Shower Options
- Onsen / Sento (200-800 yen) — full bathing experience with hot pools, shampoo, towels
- Campsite showers (100-300 yen) — coin-operated at most paid campsites
- Super Sento (600-1,500 yen) — modern bath complexes with saunas, restaurants
- Michi-no-Eki with onsen (300-600 yen) — many roadside stations have attached hot springs
Finding Onsen Near You
- Google Maps — search for onsen or sento near your current location
- Onsen Japan app — comprehensive database of hot springs across Japan
- Ask at Michi-no-Eki — staff usually know the nearest onsen and can provide directions
Onsen Etiquette Quick Guide
- Wash thoroughly at the shower station before entering the pool
- No swimwear — onsen are enjoyed naked (separate male/female areas)
- Tattoos: some onsen prohibit tattoos, but many in Kyushu are tattoo-friendly
- Bring a small towel (do not put it in the water)