Onsen Etiquette In Japan

1. When you enter the onsen (bath house), pay the admission fee at the counter and you will get a key to your locker.
2. Put all your stuff including your shoes and clothes in the locker and lock it. Yes, you have to completely undress and be naked to enter the onsen. No bathing suit, swimwear, or sandals allowed inside the onsen. Usually, the key has a wrist-band that can be worn around your wrist.
3. You will be given one large towel and one small towel (some onsen charge for the towel). The large towel is to dry your body and should be left in the changing room together with your clothes. You can only bring the small towel into the bathing area.
4. Once you're inside the onsen area, you must first bathe and clean yourself before stepping inside the pool. There will be a small stool for you to sit in front of a shower hose. Use the soap to lather your whole body and rinse it off with the shower. You can also wash your face and hair. If you have long hair, remember to wear a hairband or wrap it with the towel. 
5. After you have cleaned yourself, you may now walk to the pool and enjoy the onsen. Remember that you should put the small towel on top of your head. 
6. NEVER immerse or dip your head/face into the water of the onsen. NEVER wash the small towel into the water. In fact, towel is not allowed to touch the water.
7. DO NOT swim or dive in the onsen. It is only used for soaking your body.
8. After leaving the bath, wipe off excess water and sweat from your body as much as possible with the towel before entering the locker room to get your clothes.
9. Remember to walk slowly as the floor is wet and slippery.
10. No food or drinks are allowed inside the onsen. 

Washing yourself before entering the onsen