What Are Konyoku? – Japan’s Traditional Mixed Baths
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CONTENTS
Konyoku is a different kind of Japanese bathtime tradition, for anyone truly ready for a communal bath experience.
Konyoku (混浴) are mixed-gender baths, a concept that might seem a little risque in a country that generally divides its public baths quite clearly by gender. But the truth is that these baths, open to anyone, have a history going back at least 1,000 years―they may not be common, but konyoku are a long-lasting tradition! Some modern-day konyoku even allow bathers to wear swimsuits or towels, but many still keep with tradition and require all entrants to bathe in the nude. And in reality, they're generally fairly quiet and laid-back, like any other communal bath in Japan. If you'd like to experience this unique Japanese tradition for yourself, read on for a few konyoku recommendations.
Ryokojin Sanso, Kagoshima
Really, the practice of konyoku isn't so uncommon in Japan these days, it's just that many people rent a private bath for the purpose! One of the many ways to enjoy onsen (温泉, hot springs) in Japan, a "kashikiri" (貸切) bath is a bath rented out privately, and it's not uncommon to reserve a kashikiri onsen to enjoy as a couple or a family. If you rent a high-end room in a nice ryokan, you might even have a kashikiri onsen attached to your guest room!
Ryokojin Sanso, a ryokan in Kagoshima, is one of many ryokan that offer luxurious kashikiri onsen. Travelers making their way through Kyushu often visit the onsen in Oita Prefecture, but Kagoshima's onsen culture is nothing to scoff at either!
Ryokojin Sanso
3865 Takachiho, Makizonocho, Kirishima, Kagoshima, Japan
Official Website (jp)
Kita Onsen, Tochigi
Next up is a real communal konyoku bath, north of Tokyo in Nasu, Tochigi. Kita Onsen is famous for the enormous tengu masks, featured prominently on the walls of the bathhouse. Not the most relaxing decorations, perhaps, but definitely eye catching!
If you are a fan of Japanese movies, or like to read more obscure manga, you might even recognize the bath from "Thermae Romae." The manga-turned-movie, a story about ancient Romans and Japanese baths, featured Kita Onsen as a filming location!
Tucked away deep in the mountains of Nasu, this onsen is over 160 years old!
Kita Onsen
151 Yumoto, Nasu, Nasu-gun, Tochigi, Japan
Official Website (jp)
Oizawa Onsen, Fukushima
Hidden in the steam, it might not be immediately obvious, but can you see what makes this onsen so special? This Oizawa Onsen bathhouse, in Tadami, Fukushima, is actually directly attached to a Shinto shrine! Even in Japan this is a rare occurrence, so make the most of it and send some prayers on to the many gods of Japan while you soak in the steaming waters.
The hot spring water that flows into these baths is actually quite high in certain salts, giving the onsen a reputation for detoxification. They also say it's quite good for cleansing your skin!
The Tadami Line train running through the area is famous for gorgeous views out the window, especially in the winter, so take a train ride and stop in at the onsen to warm yourself up from the cold!
Oizawa Onsen
Oizawa-114 Gojojiki, Yanaizu, Kawanuma-gun, Fukushima, Japan
Kuronagi Onsen, Toyama
Open since 1868, Kuronagi Onsen is a local secret, tucked away on a river bank in the middle of Kurobe Gorge. It takes a little commitment to get there, or perhaps just courage, because the onsen is located at the foot of a 200-step staircase. (Getting there is easy, getting back is a little bit more work.) But visitors tend to agree; enjoying this konyoku bath surrounded by the great outdoors is entirely worth the effort!
The onsen allows bathers to enter the water in a bathing suit, wrapped in a towel, or entirely nude―it's up to you. Just be careful not to overheat! The source of this steaming bath water is approximately 90°C (194°F) before it hits the air!
This onsen isn't famous for bathing monkeys (like the one at Shiga Kogen), but the cute little guys live in the area. If you're lucky, they might make an appearance in the treetops while you soak in the water!
Kuronagi Onsen
Kuronagi, Unazukimachi, Otozawa, Kurobe, Toyama, Japan
Official Website (jp)
Takaragawa Onsen, Gunma
For many people in Japan, "konyoku" means Takaragawa! This Gunma onsen is famous for its truly communal baths.
The spacious rotenburo, surrounded by green trees and smooth stones, is one of the biggest outdoor baths in Japan! And while swimsuits aren't allowed, they do rent towels to wear into the water.
It seems like this bath really does welcome everyone―there are rumors that even the local bear population joins in, sometimes!
Takaragawa Onsen
1899 Fujiwara, Minakami, Tone-gun, Gunma 379-1721, Japan
Official Website (en)
Are you ready to take the plunge and dive into your first konyoku bath? Which one is calling your name?
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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