Tattoo-Friendly Japanese Bathing Culture Tour at Funaoka Onsen
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Looking for a truly authentic Japanese experience beyond the typical tourist spots? Join us for a unique cultural journey into the heart of Japan’s bathing tradition!
Just like the tea ceremony, bathing in Japan is a deeply rooted cultural ritual. But how do you bathe the Japanese way? What are the dos and don’ts? Our bathing specialists will guide you through the fascinating etiquette and health benefits of Japanese baths—and then you’ll get to try it for yourself!
What to Expect:
Start at a one-of-a-kind cafe—a cozy space that was once a public bathhouse ! Here, you’ll learn the history and meaning behind Japanese bathing culture, complete with a take-home guide to proper bathing techniques.
Then soak like a local at the legendary Funaoka Onsen, a beautifully preserved bathhouse loved by Kyoto residents for generations.
✨ Why Join?
A chance to experience Japanese culture with all five senses.
Great for travelers interested in wellness, mindfulness, and local traditions.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
staff are not homosexual.
I am an independent guide and am not an employee of Funaoka onsen
The guide is a local Japanese and is not very good at English.
Individuals with contraindications for Hot spring (e.g., severe heart or lung diseases, recent gastrointestinal bleeding, advanced malignant tumors, or severe anemia).
Individuals feeling unwell on the day, those with a fever, or those who have consumed alcohol.
Participants who cannot bathe independently or require significant assistance (e.g., wheelchair users).
If a doctor advises against participation, the individual must refrain from joining the experience.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
This cafe was renovated from a public bathhouse and is one you can only experience here. While sipping a drink, you will learn about the history of Japanese public baths and how to bathe.
Funaoka Onsen
Before taking a bath, we will use materials to lecture on unique bathing methods. After the lecture, please try the bathing method yourself.
What‘s Included
Guide fee
Rental spa bags and body soap etc.
drink fee （Orange juice or apple juice or grapefruit juice）
Rental bath towels and towels
Bathing fee
Options
Experience Japanese Sento Culture at Funaoka Onsen in Kyoto
Reviews
16 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Perfect !
Judith C,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I learned a lot and my bath experience was great, the guide gave me really good advice, answered all of my questions, and was very kind. I recommend at 100% ! 😊
Awesome
AdamJ2862,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very nice experience. Atsuki was an excellent guide. Highly recommended.
Experience with local
Ludwig S,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a memorable experience and a great way to connect to a local. I enjoyed the experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Very informative on an...
Hatem A,Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informative on an aspect of Japanese history and culture. This particular Onsen has an interesting history of how it came to be and how the founders competed with traditional geothermal Onsen. Important to know the it requires nude bathing but is segregated by gender, so may not be for everyone and couples will be separated.
Alay your Fears! Awesome Onsen Experience
G5594UFpauln,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Family and I wanted an onsen experience but really had no clue where to begin so we booked this guided tour with Atsuki. We were about 30 minutes early and walked the neighborhood, filled mostly with residential dwellings. We met our guide, Atsuki, about 15 minutes before our start time. We were walked to a local cafe that it turns out was a converted onsen (technically a sento, but I’m not qualified to list the nuances!) and given a brief, but very informative history on bathing culture and bathing etiquette. We were also given (humorous) warnings about locals policing said etiquette. We were each given a bathing kit with two towels, shampoo and bath gel to use. Atsuki walked us in to Funaoka Onsen and we separated, males around the blue curtain and females around the red one. The overall experience was relaxed and light and Atsuki was a great communicator even given his limited English. Top notch and I would recommend this experience to anyone who is even remotely interested in giving it a try.
Good explanation of...
Saskia d,Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Good explanation from enthusiastic guide about the onsen tradition in Japan. After the explanation paid a visit and took a bath in a relaxed way. Recommended!
Learning about the...
Seretha C,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Learning about the history of onsens in Japan as well as the best practices for visitors was super helpful for my first visit especially since I was travelling alone. My guide gave me an overview of the history and let me know how well known Funaoka Onsen is. Such a great guide of the bath house experience in Kyoto.
Relaxing unique event
annalenak855,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A relaxing evening at the onsen. Our guide was Atsuki. In a small former onsen that is now a café, we were taught the rules of etiquette. Atsuki also provided us with lots of additional information about onsen. Afterwards, we went to the bathhouse together. We didn't have to prepare anything ourselves. Atsuki took care of everything, providing towels, money for the hair dryer, etc. It was a very informative and relaxing experience. Everyone should visit an onsen at least once. Arigatou gozaimasu
Very sympathetic guide
nikital328,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Atsuki Nakagawa prepared us really very sweet for the bathhouse and had great background information. Thank you very much we had a very nice evening.
Funaoka Onsen
DrRalf S,Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a very relaxing experience of the Japanese bathing culture after all the shrine visits etc, thank you Atsuki!
From ¥7,000
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