Date published: 30 May 2020
Last updated: 2 June 2020
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!
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!
*This information is from the time of this article’s publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
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