Mantas 3 Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 I have to ask this. Is it cool with the Japanese to take a beer into the onsen? I've always felt a little apprehensive doing it. I've asked loads of Japanese men if it's OK, they all said "no problem". Are they just being polite or what. thoughts? Link to post Share on other sites
merryJim 1 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I would guess no as I have never seen it happen and they hardly have machines selling it in there. There are usually signs saying don't enter after drinking alcohol as well I think. Link to post Share on other sites
johnson-san 0 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Beer AFTER the onsen seems perfect to me. Link to post Share on other sites
cal 6 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 It's perhaps one of those things where it is not not allowed, just no-one does it. Having said that, I have this image of a bottle of sake floating on a tray in an onsen. Was that an ad or is it actually a tradition? Link to post Share on other sites
threep 0 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I've drunk beer in an onsen a few times, in Hokkaido and in Hakuba. Some even provide little wooden planks which float on the water and upon which you can place your can. Not that common, but it does happen. Why else would they place beer vending machines in onsen? Link to post Share on other sites
Curt 1 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I'm not an expert on onsen (far from it) but can't recall seeing beer vending machines there. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 You never see it here. All the onsen here have beer machines, but that's for after. Link to post Share on other sites
WantToSki 0 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 i would see it as okay when you are in a "kashigiri," but with other people (not in your own group)... hhhmmm... havent seen one yet... well, because even japanese talk about drinking sake while in the rotenburo overlooking the white mountains... Link to post Share on other sites
mattlucas 0 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I've drank beer in an onsen loads of times And I've also seen Japanese people drinking beer in the onsen Just be respectable about drinking your beer and there shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't bring a 2-4 into the place. Maybe 2 or 3 tall cans is plenty. Almost all the onsens I went to had beer vending machines in the tatami rooms No cannonballing... Link to post Share on other sites
TheOrange 0 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I've never seen the sake thing only on tv and on ads, would like to do that. With a small towel on my head of course. Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I've only seen Japanese with beer in an onsen (besides me). I don't do it all the time and if I do I'd have just one. I like a few fresh nama's after coz if I drink in the onsen the water might become yellow Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 There was a place in Noboribetsu that had a kiosk selling beer and sake at the rotenburo! Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted March 9, 2007 Author Share Posted March 9, 2007 I'm not a big beer drinker at all, but there are a few things in life that just don't seem complete without a ice cold big boy in your hand. 1 cooking a BBQ 2 socializing (talking crap )with mates. 3 kicking back in the onsen after a big day on the mountain. A pile of snow to keep the beer chilled....magic! (2 and 3 combined, what more is there in life?) Link to post Share on other sites
cal 6 Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Quote: A pile of snow to keep the beer chilled....magic! Most definitely! Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 it depends on the onsen(s) rules. If you go to the mominoke in hakuba you can order sake and drink it in the onsen no problem. As others have said kashikiri (private rental) no problem. Nozawa onsens are quite strict and no beer policy is always enforced. You can play the gaijin card with this one most of the time and get away with it If somebody says something though it might be best to put it away against a wall and drink it later. Id say Hokkaido and Kyushu onsens are the most relaxed - mainly cuz they still have konyoku baths Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted March 11, 2007 Author Share Posted March 11, 2007 What I've learnt. 2 or 3 beers sipped quietly in the corner of an onsen OK unless sign-age indicating otherwise. If this offends someone (like the onsen operater) play the dumb Gaijin, smile and apologize. Remove cans when finnished Link to post Share on other sites
number9 0 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Quote: Originally posted by Creek Boy: You can play the gaijin card with this one most of the time and get away with it And you complain about being treated differently from Japanese people? Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 >If somebody says something though it might be best to put it away against a wall and drink it later. read the next line dikhead Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 The only time I had beer in the onsen was when a Japanese friend brought them in. Link to post Share on other sites
flipside 0 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Recently did this and no-one said anything - Japanese being polite. But, words were said to the manager and later passed onto us - ie. others didn't like it. Link to post Share on other sites
Big Dogg 0 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 I think, as was mentioned about Nozawa, it depends on location. I have had beers and seen others drinking on occasion. What has shocked me though, is that I have seen just about every rule concerning onsen etiquette broken by Japanese themselves. So, I wouldn't sweat it. If someone sees you with a beer, they are probably also wondering if it's legit or not OR just thinking that you had a good idea! Link to post Share on other sites
Big Dogg 0 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 by the way...I LOVE BEER! Link to post Share on other sites
2pints-mate 0 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 My thoughts on this... I don't want to break rules in foreign countries when I visit. If some Japanese dudes are drinking beer in an onsen and it seems ok and I want to I will. If not, no sweat a beer after one is just great. I'm actually quite keen to not do things that may be frowned on just "coz I'm on holiday" when I go on holidays. Link to post Share on other sites
orinoco 0 Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I'd prefer not to drink in the baths actually - wait until after and then really enjoy that first drink. Perfect. Link to post Share on other sites
Wizz 11 Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Quote: Is it cool with the Japanese to take a beer into the onsen? Just asked a few friends here and they said they have never done it. I always thought the vending machine in the entrance was for after the soak. Link to post Share on other sites
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