Naked Guide To Jjimjilbang: How To Not Be Awkward As A Foreigner

Planning to go to a Jjimjilbang in South Korea? Let’s address the elephant in the room: Yes, you have to be completely naked.

When I planned my trip to South Korea, I didn’t consider including jjimjilbang in our plan or in our bucket list of things to do in Seoul.

But then, my friend Jieun kept mentioning Aqualand, and I was intrigued. The idea of stripping down in a room full of strangers was… well, adventurous! Haha.

If you are coming from a modest culture, the concept of a Jjimjilbang (Korean Bathhouse) feels daunting. 

But I’ve been to a public hammam in Morocco—naked, lost in language, clueless on what to do, scrubbed down really hard by the old lady, and came out like a baby.

So, I told myself, what can be worse than a Moroccan public hammam, right? Live life to the fullest, they say, and I already did in Morocco.

I went for the jjimjilbang experience in Busan, and guess what? 

It was one of the most liberating, relaxing, and culturally immersive experiences of my entire trip, especially after hiking Bukhansan and Seoraksan in the same trip!

If you are feeling nervous about the nudity or confused about the logistics, don’t worry. 

I’ve broken down everything you need to know to survive (and enjoy!) your first Korean spa experience.

What is a Jjimjilbang?

A Jjimjilbang (찜질방) is more than just a spa; it’s a massive 24-hour bathhouse and sauna complex that serves as a popular getaway for Korean families, couples, and friends.

The word roughly translates to “heated room” (jjimjil) and “room” (bang). So if you think of Japan, it’s onsen. If you think of Morocco, it’s the hammam.

These complexes usually consist of gender-segregated bathhouses (where you are naked) and large, unisex communal areas (where you wear pajamas) featuring various themed saunas, sleeping rooms, and snack bars.

It’s a place to wash, soak, sweat, eat, and even sleep! Well, to gossip as well 😛

What to Expect on a Jjimjilbang Visit

First, expect to see a lot of skin. In the gender-segregated areas (the wet baths), nudity is mandatory. No swimsuits, no towels wrapped around you inside the water.

Second, expect to see locals of all ages in the bath area, gossiping in the tubs, or just showering before taking a dip. It is a very communal atmosphere.

Nobody is looking at you or judging your body; they are there to relax. Just ignore the stares, or stare them back 😛

Pro Tip: If you have extensive tattoos, you might get a few stares. However, in modern days and especially with foreigners, it is generally accepted, though some upscale spas might ask you to cover up (rare for public Jjimjilbangs).

What to Bring to a Jjimjilbang

I didn’t bring anything because I came straight from my day out in Busan. But to be honest, you don’t really need anything because the Korean spas have the essential things prepared.

While most Jjimjilbangs provide the basics (towels and pajamas), here is what I would recommend bringing if you’d like to:

• Toiletries: While soap is usually provided, shampoo, conditioner, and face wash often aren’t. Bring travel-sized bottles.
• Hair Tie: If you have long hair, you must tie it up before entering the baths. It’s bad etiquette to let hair float in the water. I lost mine, but they had it at the entrance of the bath areas.
• Exfoliating Mitt (Italy Towel): You can buy this inside, but if you have one, bring it for that authentic scrub.
• Skincare: After all that heat, your skin will be thirsty. Bring your toner and moisturizer for afterward.
• Water Bottle: To stay hydrated!

Visiting a Jjimjilbang: A Step-by-step Guide

I went to Spa Land in Centum City, Busan, which is actually one of the best and biggest Korean spas in South Korea.

I didn’t know it since my husband was the one who found it. But, I was glad we went for it 🙂 So let’s dive straight into the ultimate guide of jjimjilbang !

Step 1: Shoes Off and Check-in

When you walk in, the first rule is shoes off. There will be small lockers near the entrance specifically for your shoes. Put them in, lock it, and take the key to the reception desk.

At Spa Land Centum City, you will pay the admission fee, usually between 17,000 KRW (weekday) to 20,000 KRW (weekend). For other spas, it typically ranges between 10,000 KRW to 15,000 KRW.

The receptionist will give you a new key (for your clothing locker), a pair of cotton pajamas (usually a t-shirt and shorts), and two small hand towels.

Pro Tip: Your locker key is usually an electronic wristband. You will use this to scan and pay for snacks or massages inside, so treat it like your credit card!

Step 2: Put Your Belongings in the Locker Room

I said goodbye to my husband here, and off I went to the ladies section. I told him that I will meet him back at the common area at a said time.

You go to the gender-segregated locker room. Find the locker number that matches your key.

I took my time to explore and familiarize myself with the inside parts of the locker area, the getting ready area, the public bath area where the women are naked, the scrubbing area by the ahjummas.

Then, it is the moment of truth. You need to undress completely. Store your clothes, phone, and bag in the locker. You should only be holding your toiletries and a small towel.

Note: Do not wrap the towel around you. In Korea, you walk into the bath area naked, holding the towel in your hand or placing it on your head.

Step 3: Explore the Different Baths

Walk into the wet bath area. Before you dip a toe into any pool, you must shower!

There are rows of shower stations (some standing, some seated with stools). Sit down, wash your hair, and scrub your body thoroughly. Entering the tubs without washing is a massive faux pas.

Pro Tip: Walk in with confidence like you own the place. You’ll feel so much better. Trust me.

Once you are clean, you can enjoy the tubs. There are usually various temperatures ranging from cold plunges (18°C) to intense heat (42°C+). There might also be medicinal herbal baths or jets.

It felt super nice and warm. Your body feels light, as if all of the worries and responsibilities just dropped out of your pores and sink in the water.

Spend some time here trying out different temperatures and once you are done, head out to the communal areas! Tons of things are waiting for you.

✨ Unique Experience: The Seshin (Korean Scrub). In a corner of the bathhouse, you’ll see locals getting scrubbed down by an ajumma (auntie) or ajeossi (uncle) wearing black underwear. This is a paid service where they scrub every inch of dead skin off your body. It’s aggressive, but your skin will feel like a baby’s afterward!

Step 4: Explore the Different Saunas

Once you’ve soaked to your heart’s content, head back to the locker room, dry off, and put on the grey pajamas they gave you at check-in.

Now, you can enter the Unisex Communal Area. This is where you meet up with your friends or partner!

Here, you will find various “Kiln Saunas” (Hanseungmak). These are dry saunas heated to different temperatures and lined with healing elements like:

• Salt Rooms: Warm and detoxifying.
• Charcoal Rooms: Good for circulation.
• Ice Rooms: Freezing cold rooms to tighten pores after the heat.
• Feet Sauna: Hot dip for your feet.

Step 5: Sweat It Out in the Communal Area

The communal hall is essentially a giant living room with heated floors (ondol). You’ll see people lying on mats watching TV, reading manga, or just napping.

Grab a mat and a hard rectangular pillow, pick a spot on the floor, and just relax. This is the best part—doing absolutely nothing while sweating out the toxins.

Step 6: Eat Ramyeon

Here at Centum City, you have an area where you can snack on your favourite ramyeon. Go to the counter and order what you would like to eat. Pay using your bracelet, and the lady will give you a bowl.

Next, go to the ramyeon counter and find the one that you love. Fill your ingredients up, and time to cook your noodles.

The machine is very straightforward. Choose your setting, cook your ramyeon, and then done!

Slurp your noodles with a good, refreshing drink!

Step 7: Shower and Get Ready to Leave

When you are ready to leave, go back to the gender-segregated locker room. Put your dirty pajamas in the bin.

You can do a final quick shower to rinse off the sweat (no soap needed this time if you just sweated in the dry sauna), dry off, dress up, and return your key to the front desk to pay your bill for any snacks you bought.

FAQs About Jjimjilbangs

1. What other facilities can I find in a Jjimjilbang?

Bigger Jjimjilbangs (like Spa Land in Busan or Cimer in Seoul) are like mini-resorts. You might find massage chairs, PC bangs (internet cafes), comic book libraries, nail salons, and even fitness centers.

2. What kind of food and beverages are available?

You cannot visit a Jjimjilbang without eating! There is usually a canteen or snack bar in the communal area.

✨ Unique Experience: The Jjimjilbang Set. You must order Sikhye (sweet iced rice drink) and Maekbanseok Gyeran (brown roasted sauna eggs). Cracking the hard shell of the egg on your friend’s head is a fun local tradition (just be gentle!).

3. How do I buy things inside the spa?

You don’t need cash. Just tap your electronic locker key wristband at the counter. And once you are done, you will settle the total bill at the reception while checking out.

4. What etiquette do I need to follow in a jjimjilbang?

• Be Quiet: It’s a place for rest.
• Keep Water Clean: Tie your hair up and don’t bring towels into the tub water.
• Splash lightly: Don’t splash water on others in the shower area.

Final Thoughts on Guide to Jjimjilbang

I know the first time can be intimidating. Standing naked in a room full of strangers feels unnatural to many of us.

But once you get past that first 30 seconds of awkwardness, you realize that nobody cares. Bodies are just bodies here. They have what you have.

Whether you are looking to recover from a long hike up the mountains or just want to escape the cold Seoul winter, a Jjimjilbang is an essential Korean experience. I would come here again and try the ones in Seoul!

So, leave your insecurities in the locker, wrap a towel around your head like a sheep (ask a local to show you how!), and sweat it out!

Did this guide help you brave the bathhouse? Or do you have a funny spa story? Share in the comments below if you have a favorite go-to jjimjilbang! 🙂