What to Expect at a Korean Jjimjilbang
One thing I recommend to foreigners when they travel to Korea is “definitely visit a Korean jjimjilbang while you’re there”. These come in all shapes and sizes, but a Korean jjimjilbang is a bathhouse or spa that caters to Koreans and others as a way to relax and even realign your energies. The typical bathhouse has gendered bathing areas and sleeping rooms, they, unfortunately, are not yet transgender friendly. Other features may be an arcade, a scrubbing station, Karaoke, steam and ice rooms, outdoor pools, restaurants, masseuses, and even movie viewing areas. In bigger bathhouses, the pool, restaurant and other amenities may be mixed gender.
When you check in, you receive a towel, clothes, and a wristband with a sensor and key. This wristband will allow you to pay for whatever services you use while there, including full body scrubs and massages. The bathing areas are communal and will have a section for you to lock your clothes and belongings in the provided lockers. This, in turn, has an area for bathrooms and getting ready to go back out in society.
The bathing area has between five and ten different pools for you to use ranging from very cold to almost scalding. The bathhouse I visited, Dragon Hill Spa, has ginseng baths which were delightful and so comfortable. The outdoor ginseng bath, in particular, was awesome as I could relax in the sun and bathe.
The bathing area has between five and ten different pools for you to use ranging from very cold to almost scalding. The bathhouse I visited, Dragon Hill Spa, has ginseng baths which were delightful and so comfortable. The outdoor ginseng bath, in particular, was awesome as I could relax in the sun and bathe.
Don’t Be an Uninformed Foreigner
One of the biggest faux pas you can possibly make in a Korean bathhouse is not knowing what you should do when at a bathhouse. Upon arrival, you will receive 1 small towel (not great for much if you’re not used to it a.k.a American), the most unflattering baggy shorts and t-shirt, and a receipt or wristband for the lockers. When you first enter and get your wrist band, you will go to a small locker room where you will store your shoes, the locker number will coincide with either your wristband number or the number on your receipt, as well as a locker in the main gendered locker room where you will store your belongings (bags, clothes, etcetera). Once you reach the main locker room you can choose to either strip down and go straight to the baths or put on the clothing provided and explore, either is great, I prefer to bathe first instead of other things. Don’t be afraid, you’ll likely be more self-conscious than others will be, just relax and enjoy the experience.
You Should DEFINITELY Shower Beforehand
This is imperative and a massive mistake I made when I was there. I didn’t know about this and I did it wrong. When you get there, showers are set up in the bathing areas for you to wash off shampoos, conditioners, and any body wash. It also helps to remove any natural oils that could cause issues in the filtration system, after all, you’ll be using these as well as other people. The same way you should shower before swimming you should shower before going to the pools. This allows them to keep the pools clean and free of any chemicals or particles that may clog them or cause diseases. It also keeps irritants like perfumes from getting into communal bathing areas. If you don’t do this, you may be contaminating the baths as they are not all salinated or chlorinated. This ensures a safe, clean environment for visitors and reduces the amount of work that employees have to do.
You Will Get Some Stares
This is, unfortunately, going to be the case for any foreigner at a Korean jjimjilbang, especially if you present as another race. The stares are more so because of curiosity than disdain and are not sexual in nature. An important aspect of a bathhouse is that in the bathing areas you are completely naked and as such you may be the first foreigner that they have seen there or have seen in that way. It’s totally okay though, no one will be rude about it and there is a likelihood that you may be ignored altogether. If you have tattoos, that may be the only time you may even have someone look at you in an angry way as tattoos are still seen as taboo by older Koreans. But, if you’re looking for a tattoo artist in Seoul I recommend Key.
You’ll Realize That Western Culture is Much More Conservative
As an American you wouldn’t think that we’re all too conservative, considering the normalizing of skin. However, Americans also see nakedness in a sexual way, rather than a natural way. Due to this, Americans are much more conservative than Koreans, even though Koreans typically cover up more.
In Korean jjimjilbangs, you spend a decent amount of time completely nude. As an American, this was a completely freeing moment for me as I did not feel uncomfortable. While there, people of every size, shape, and age (but of your gender) will walk around in the buff while doing things like showering, bathing, scrubbing, and massaging. It feels completely natural and definitely was one of the most relaxing days I’ve had in a long time. I didn’t have to worry about clothes or what others thought about me, I was able to just relax in the moment and lay back.
In Korean jjimjilbangs, you spend a decent amount of time completely nude. As an American, this was a completely freeing moment for me as I did not feel uncomfortable. While there, people of every size, shape, and age (but of your gender) will walk around in the buff while doing things like showering, bathing, scrubbing, and massaging. It feels completely natural and definitely was one of the most relaxing days I’ve had in a long time. I didn’t have to worry about clothes or what others thought about me, I was able to just relax in the moment and lay back.
Korean Jjimjilbangs are CHEAP
One of the best things about bathhouses is that they can take the guesswork out of keeping track of extra amenities so that you don’t have to. Their pay at the end of your stay model allows you to use your wristband to keep track of purchases by scanning instead of forcing you to remember at the end. This way, you don’t need to carry cash nor a credit card when you’re out and about in the spa itself.
Most bathhouses have a base price that is increased based on what services you use, getting a massage? $50. Want some french fries at the rooftop cafe? $11. Maybe want to sing some tunes? $2.50. It can add up but only based on what you choose to do and eat. If you’re not planning on spending on the extras, the $14 USD entrance price is NOTHING with the free amenities they have.
Most bathhouses have a base price that is increased based on what services you use, getting a massage? $50. Want some french fries at the rooftop cafe? $11. Maybe want to sing some tunes? $2.50. It can add up but only based on what you choose to do and eat. If you’re not planning on spending on the extras, the $14 USD entrance price is NOTHING with the free amenities they have.
Spend the Night if You Like
While you may think sleeping in a room full of strangers is a little weird, it’s a very common cultural thing in Korea. Some spas have separate sleeping areas for each gender but others have family or communal sleeping spaces. This is extremely beneficial if you’re between travel destinations and need a cheap place to crash for a night, or if you drank too much and just need to sleep off the hangover. They do charge by the day, but 14$ a day is much cheaper than a $100 hotel room. Many families will be in these spaces using the amenities and you don’t have to be afraid, no one will bother you. In fact, I got such a great nap in that I was well rested after my day of relaxation.
There are so many features of Korean Jjimjilbangs that you will come to know and love as you spend time there. From the bathing areas to the sleeping rooms there are things to do for everyone. Not all bathhouses are the same nor are they going to charge the same prices, however, you will always be able to enjoy your time if you plan accordingly.
I went to Dragon Hills Spa and Resort so if you’re looking for a clean, safe environment I really enjoyed their service, you can check out their services here
For more information on Korean spas and bathhouses check out this link from vloggers Simon and Martina of Eat Your Kimchi.
I just put this on my bucket list — it sounds so strange but it’s got to be a fantastic and relaxing experience. Thanks for sharing your experience and the tips!
Thanks for the tips! I didn’t get to head to a bath back in Turkey, but I’ll put it on my list when I visit Asia in the Spring!
This sounds like such a fun experience! Whenever I make it to Korea, this will be my first order of business!
Wow, sounds like a really refreshing experience! Not sure if I could do it lol, but I’m all for the experience!
-Madi xo
http://everydaywithmadirae.com/
This is amazing to read. I have been to Korean Baths in Sydney but they were separated for women and men. I am Dutch and have been to mixed saunas, they all are!, many times in Holland and being nude is not an issue. I can remember in the Korean baths in Sydney we had little stools in front of a mirror where you scrubbed yourself clean before going into the baths.
I hope to visit Korea someday!! Thank you for all of your info on the bathhouses, it’s very useful info to have 🙂
It stinks that they don’t accommodate for the trans Community yet but I do appreciate the fact that you thought about it enough to add to your story! And the room bracelets for the bathhouse remind me of the ones you can get for Disney World when you stay on one of their resort areas. You can just charge everything to the room and not have to worry about carrying a purse or a bag or anything!
Wow that’s quite the experience! I don’t think I could ever get over my western self-conscious mind to do something like that though!
I’ve never been to a bath house of any kind. I for sure would be self conscious lol it seems like a very nice environment though.
Wow what a unique experience!!