Onsen etiquette (women)
 

I plan on going to an onsen or two while in Japan (Tanzen Onsen in Hakone and Oeda Onsen in Odaiba). I've read up on Onsen etiquette a bit. I'm just curious about female body hair. Do Japanese women shave "down there" or do most stay "natural"? In America, a lot of women fully shave. I don't want to go to an onsen and offend anyone or get strange looks/feel uncomfortable. :eek:

Should I not shave prior to the trip?

I have been to countless onsen, and have yet to encounter any women who are shaved. But then again, it`s not like I am going out of my way to check.

More than likely, they won`t be looking... And if they do give you any strange reactions, it will be because it`s so incredibly rare for a foreigner to be in there not because of your body features.

Most if not all, actually do shave down there but mostly along the bikini line.

I just remembered some of our girly talk with some japanese girl-friends, on this issue. Basically they don't completely shave because having a hair down there is a sign of being an adult. :)

And thank god for that, if the experience were any more like pedophilia I'd have to refrain from it entirely!;)

IMO no woman should have hair anywhere but on the top of her head :P

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I've tried the shaven-every-where thing, its nice in the hot summer actually, but when it starts to grow back dear lord it's like constant torture!!

I've tried that in the vacation between years of College, entirely hairless, even eyebrows gone. It wasn't really pleasant when that hot wax thingygot on my legs, the rest went well with the shaver. What can I say a bet is a bet :D.


PS: Heck, you're right James, the hair growing back, scratch... ugh, priceless.

Maybe in your part of America, or according to a few scandal rags, but very few women in I have known do more than a bit of a trim - especially those older than their mid 20s.

And at the local Korean spa I have yet to see anyone who has shaved anything more than her legs and armpits.

maintenance work (if you will) along the bikini line and what not should be done, imo. letting things go and growing it out like sasquatch is a nono :D


as to the OP's questions: my wife always makes sure to stop shaving or reduce the amount she shaves before we go back to japan...just because shaving (completely) down there is sorta seen in a negative manner. but, it's not like anyone will say anything about it. as a foreigner, i wouldn't worry too to much... but if you want to be a little more "fitting in", just do maintenance work ;) don't mow the whole lawn