日本語
I guess most of tourist to Japan don’t know any “kanji” (Chinese characters) so sometimes they are in trouble due to “Kanji monsters” face them. This article tells you that you had better know 7 “kanji” before you enjoy hot springs or public baths.
1,2 男 Otoko and 女 Onna
First of all, you would wonder which entrance you should go in. Basically it is just written down in “kanji” on a curtain.
So normally Written 男 (male) or 男湯 (bath for male) on a blue curtain is for men and then written 女 (female) or 女湯 (bath for female) on a red curtain is for women.
3. 危険 Kiken
It means ‘danger’ and it indicates a potential danger of personal injury. It is for slippery floors or very hot stones in a sauna and more. It also may show pictures or an English caption, so if you see “危険” you should read the sign carefully.
4. 禁止 Kinshi
It means ‘prohibition’ so if you see the “禁止” sign you have to follow it otherwise you might get a fine or get thrown out. If you want to know the things that are prohibited to bring in the hot springs read our previous post.
5. 厳禁 Genkin
It means ‘strict prohibition’ so you must not do the things that are not allowed.
6. 電気風呂 Denki Buro
It means ‘electric bath’. Some people don’t like this kind of bath so if people use it without knowing what it is, they might feel pain.
Also people who have at least one of the following health problems listed below are not recommended entering the electric bath.
・Heart diseases and those wearing pacemakers
・Hypertension
・Arteriosclerosis
・People with skin diseases and trauma
・Kidney disease
・Ill of excessive sensibility and epilepsy
・Pregnant, infants, elderly
7. 水風呂 Mizu Buro
It means ‘water bath’. The baths’ temperatures are normally around 15℃ so if you jumped into the bath (you shouldn’t jump into anyhow though) without being aware of this you would have a heart attack. People with the following conditions are also not recommended to enter the bath
・Heart disease
・Arrhythmia
・Hypertension
