Lonely Planet's guide to visiting a Korean bathhouse for the first time

19.06.2024 - 20:21 / lonelyplanet.com

Jun 19, 2024 • 8 min read

Traditional bathhouses are an essential part of contemporary South Korean culture and one of the country's top experiences. Literally "heated rooms," jjimjilbang (찜질방) are where locals come to unwind, hang out and engage in a whole host of health and beauty rituals that go far beyond a quick soak.

South Korea's bathhouses attract grandmas and young couples alike. It wouldn't be odd for a group of friends to meet up at a jjimjilbang on a Friday night – call it a spa date, but a surprisingly affordable one. Entry to a bathhouse usually costs between ₩7000 and ₩20,000, with smaller, neighborhood jjimjilbang being the cheapest option.

Most places have different day and evening entry fees, with the latter being a little higher. More elaborate joints have restaurants, outdoor swimming pools, hair and nail salons, and karaoke rooms in addition to the usual baths and saunas.

These spas have an unspoken code of manners and customs, which can make a first-time visit intimidating for foreign travelers. Here's our guide to towel techniques and Korean bathhouse etiquette to help you experience the jjimjilbang like a local.

The first thing you're likely to see when you walk in the door is a wall of small lockers. These are for your shoes, so slip them inside and take your locker key back to the front desk. Pay the entry fee (the price should be posted at the reception desk) and hand over your shoe locker key. In exchange, you'll be given a new locker key for the changing room (sometimes the first key is used for both), plus a towel and a pair of cotton pajamas.

Many jjimjilbang use electronic keys or wristbands, which are also used to record the fees for any additional services. Otherwise, the staff will note your locker key number if you add any services inside (such as a scrub or massage) and bill you at the end. It's increasingly common for jjimjilbang to have automated check-in kiosks where you can pay the entry fee and get a key or wristband without going to the front desk.

The key in your hand should have a number on it – that's your locker, where you'll store your clothes and anything else you're carrying. The front desk staff should point you in the direction of the appropriate gender-segregated changing room. If not, you want nam (남) for men or yeo (여) for women.

Most jjimjilbang have two distinct areas: the baths, which are same-sex only, and the sauna areas, which are communal. Whichever you visit first is up to you, but most people prefer to wash up before sweating it out (and then wash again at the end of the visit).

If you're going to the baths, you need to remove all your clothing, bringing only a small towel and toiletries with you (wear your locker key on your wrist). If you're