How to book a private onsen bath
How you book a private bath in Japan depends on the onsen. There are three patterns: online, by phone only, and first-come on the day.
Where we are right now
We are contacting onsen now. What we confirmed with the onsen is marked differently from what their official sites state. These numbers are generated from the live data, not written by hand.
1. Onsen you can book online
You pick a date and a time slot on the official site or through a booking site. Whether the process is available in English varies from onsen to onsen, so check the official site.
2. Onsen that take bookings by phone only
Smaller ryokan and neighborhood baths usually take bookings by phone. If you'd rather not call in Japanese, book through an accommodation site instead, or ask in advance whether the front desk speaks English.
3. First-come on the day, requested at check-in
For overnight guests: you claim a private-bath slot when you check in, rather than in advance. The popular evening slots go quickly, so ask as soon as you arrive.
