Visiting an authentic Japanese onsen is one of the quintessential experiences to have in Japan. But how much do you really know about these iconic baths? It’s trivia time!
Thinking deeply about hot springs, choose the best answer for each question. Then scroll to the bottom to see the correct answers. Click on the links to read informative articles and boost your knowledge of Japanese hot springs. And when you’re next in Japan, be sure to give one a go!
- Table of Contents
Onsen Quiz
1. What does the practice of kakeyu refer to?
a. Showering and cleaning your body before entering the onsen.
b. Pouring hot water over your body before entering the onsen.
c. Enjoying an alcoholic beverage after the onsen.
d. Hydrating after finishing the onsen.
2. A rotenburo is ...
a. An open-air onsen bath.
b. An indoor cool water bath.
c. An honorific phrase you utter before entering the bath.
d. A small snack eaten after the bath.
3. Which of the following is famous for using a liquid other than water?
a. Kurama Onsen (Sake bath)
b. Arima Onsen Kin-no-Yu (Beer bath)
c. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun (Wine bath)
d. Taketori-tei Maruyama (Coconut water)
4. The water in a natural onsen is sometimes what color?
a. Red
b. Brown
c. Clear and slightly effervescent
d. All of the above
5. What’s the difference between an onsen and a sento?
a. An onsen generally refers to hot springs that are naturally available, whereas a sento is usually a bath that has been man-made.
b. Onsen refers to the hot spring water itself; a sento is the “tub” in which the hot spring water is contained.
c. Onsen are baths that also allow other animals; sento are outside baths intended only for people.
d. Sento are what you wear inside an onsen.
6. Which of the following symbols is associated with onsen?
a. ㊗️
b. Ⓜ
c. ♨
d. ㊙
7. Which cuddly animal is particularly associated with bathing in hot baths at Izu Shaboten Zoo Park?
a. Penguins
b. Sheep
c. Capybara
d. Monkeys
8. Which areas are famous for onsen in Japan?
a. Kusatsu
b. Hakone
c. Noboribetsu
d. All of the above
9. Yunohana are substances that are collected from some hot springs and sometimes sold as souvenirs. What are these?
a. Healthy, natural-occurring bacteria
b. A special soap used only at luxury onsen
c. A variety of seaweed that grows only in hot water
d. Mineral deposits
10. What is the recommended amount of time to soak in an onsen?
a. For about 20 minutes
b. Until you start sweating lightly
c. Until your skin wrinkles
d. There is no recommended amount of time
Onsen Quiz Answers
1. b. Pouring hot water over your body before entering the onsen.
2. a. An open-air onsen bath.
3. c. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun (Wine bath)
4. d. All of the above
5. a. An onsen generally refers to hot springs that are naturally available, whereas a sento is usually a bath that has been man-made.
6. c. The ♨ symbol
7. c. Capybara
8. d. All of the above
9. d. Mineral deposits
10. b. Until you start sweating lightly
Check out other articles about onsen in Japan!
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
Popular Tours & Activitiess
Recommended places for you
-
Events
KYOTO TAKENOSATO ONSEN MANYO NO YU
Hot Springs (Onsen) & Bath Houses (Sento)
Kyoto Station, To-ji Temple
-
Goods
Yoshida Gennojo-Roho Kyoto Buddhist Altars
Gift Shops
Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace
-
Appealing
Rukku and Uohei
Izakaya
Sapporo / Chitose
-
Jukuseiniku-to Namamottsuarera Nikubaru Italian Nikutaria Sannomiya
Izakaya
Kobe, Sannomiya, Kitano
-
Kanzenkoshitsuyakinikutabehodai Gyugyu Paradise Sannomiya
Yakiniku
Kobe, Sannomiya, Kitano
-
Kambei Sannomiyahonten
Yakiniku
Kobe, Sannomiya, Kitano
-
2025 Japan Autumn Color Report: Tokyo's Ginkgo Trees Starting to Glow
by: Timothy Sullivan
-
Don't Miss Out! The One Thing You Must Do Before Shopping at Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport: Get Your Max 10% OFF Coupon Book
-
Black Friday 2025: These Are THE Japan Travel & Shopping Deals to Check Out
-
Enjoy Japan's Gorgeous Winter Lights! Ride the Romancecar to Shonan no Hoseki Illumination
by: Guest Contributor
-
A Travel Game Changer! Go Hands-Free Between Tokyo and Kyoto with LUGGAGE EXPRESS by JTB and JR Tokai
by: Guest Contributor
-
See Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree® in a New Light at the "Také Akari" Festival (Winter 2025-2026)
by: Guest Contributor
-
Noboribetsu Onsen: 5 Best Things to Do in Japan's Famous Hot Springs Town!
-
Tokyo Spas: Three Hidden Hot Spring Gems of Tokyo and Yokohama
-
Simple Onsen Beauty Tricks Anyone Can Try at the Hot Spring - Recommended by a Japanese Beauty Researcher!
-
Seafood Bowls and More at the Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market!
-
Iizaka Onsen Guide: Japan's Gorgeous Hidden Hot Springs Town! (Access, Things to Do, Ryokan)
-
Getting to Ginzan Onsen From Tokyo, Sendai, Osaka and Yamagata: By Bus, Train, and Plane
by: Guest Contributor
- #best sushi japan
- #what to do in odaiba
- #what to bring to japan
- #new years in tokyo
- #best ramen japan
- #what to buy in ameyoko
- #japanese nail trends
- #things to do japan
- #onsen tattoo friendly tokyo
- #daiso
- #best coffee japan
- #best japanese soft drinks
- #best yakiniku japan
- #japanese fashion culture
- #japanese convenience store snacks












