Can you take photos in changing rooms and baths?
In short
Better notNo. Taking photos in changing rooms and bathing areas is strictly prohibited to protect other people’s privacy. Keep your phone in the locker.
When does this apply?
In onsen and public bath changing rooms and bathing areas, other people are naked, so using a camera or phone at all makes people uneasy. Even if nobody would be in the shot, the basic rule is not to take photos.
Why?
Because people undress there, protecting the privacy of all bathers, including children, matters above all. Simply taking out a phone can be mistaken for taking photos.
What to do
- Keep your phone and camera in the changing-room locker
- For onsen photos, use the facility’s official pictures, or shoot only where and when it is allowed with no one present
- Use the clock in the bathing area to check the time
Better to avoid
- Use a phone or camera in the changing room or bathing area
- Take selfies while soaking in the bath
Exceptions and differences
In a private bath used only by your group, some facilities allow photos. Even then, always check the facility’s rules.
Manners can differ by region, facility and generation. Local signs and staff instructions come first.
Check with a quiz
Can you take photos in an onsen bathing area?
Choose an answer
Sources
Last checked:
This text was written with AI assistance and has not yet been proofread by a person.