Many people find themselves falling in love with onsen (hot springs) after experiencing them during their trip to Japan.
By purchasing bath salts inspired by Japan’s famous hot springs, you can transform your own bath at home into a luxurious hot spring experience, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing onsen atmosphere without leaving your home.
In this article, I, a resident of Japan, will introduce a selection of recommended Japanese bath salts that you should definitely try.
Most of these bath salts are available at drugstores nationwide, so be sure to check them out.
They make great gifts for yourself, friends, or family and are sure to be appreciated!
Where to Buy Japanese Bath Salts?
For Souvenirs and Budget-Friendly Options, Visit Drugstores
For tourists visiting Japan, drugstores are the perfect place to purchase affordable bath salts.
You’ll find a wide variety of bath salts with different scents and effects, and if you want to buy bath salts that are commonly used in Japanese households, drugstores are the best option.
They are also popular as souvenirs, with many beautifully packaged options and special seasonal products available.
Additionally, many drugstores offer tax-free shopping, making it easy to drop in while you’re sightseeing.
For Convenience, Try Convenience Stores and Supermarkets
If you’re short on time during your travels, purchasing bath salts from convenience stores or supermarkets is a convenient option.
With numerous locations nationwide, and 24-hour operation at convenience stores, you can easily pick them up whenever you like.
If you want to try them out during your trip, convenience stores allow you to buy single packs, making them a great choice.
Supermarkets offer a wider variety, such as family-sized packs, often at lower prices than convenience stores.
You can also buy bath salts along with snacks or souvenirs, saving you time and making your shopping more efficient.
For the Best Deals, Check Out 100-Yen Shops
If you’re looking for the cheapest option, Japan’s 100-yen shops are the way to go.
100-yen shops offer a variety of bath salts sold in single-use packs, making it easy to try out different types or buy them as souvenirs.
With a wide range of scents and colors available, you can enjoy experimenting with various options even on a limited budget.
These stores also have many other bath accessories, so if you want to buy just a few items or pair bath salts with other bath goods, 100-yen shops are ideal.
Top 10 Recommended Bath Salts for Tourists
Bathclin Nihon no Meito
- Experience authentic onsen at home
- Perfect as a souvenir
- Certified by onsen resorts with authentic bath quality
“Bathclin Nihon no Meito” is a bath salt series that allows you to enjoy the feeling of a Japanese hot spring at home.
Each product is modeled after famous hot springs across Japan, and is made to recreate the actual onsen ingredients.
For example, the texture and cloudy water are faithfully reproduced based on extensive local research.
Moreover, the ingredients are designed to be gentle on home bathtubs, making it safe for everyone from babies to adults to use.
With an affordable price of less than 50 yen per pack, buying a large pack to share with friends and family is highly recommended.
It’s sure to be a hit!
BARTH
- Carbonate ions for fatigue recovery
- Ideal for back and shoulder pain relief
- Tablet-type bath salt
BARTH’s “Neutral Bicarbonate Bath Tablet” is a fragrance-free, color-free tablet-type bath salt containing sodium bicarbonate as an active ingredient.
It releases carbon dioxide, dissolving with effervescence to mimic the effects of Germany’s neutral bicarbonate springs.
While the moisturizing and fragrance effects are mild, the dissolved bicarbonate ions are effective for relieving fatigue, shoulder stiffness, and poor circulation.
It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin and children, making it a great option for daily family use.
Bub
- The most famous bath salt in Japan
- A wide range of series for variety
- Helps improve sleep quality
Bub is a carbon dioxide-based bath salt that warms your body even in a short bath time.
Its “carbon power” and “warm veil ingredients” heat your body from the core, making it effective for relieving shoulder stiffness and fatigue.
The variety of series, such as the “Maintenance Type,” “Cool Type,” and “Relaxation Type”, allows you to choose the one that best fits your needs.
Bub is mildly acidic, making it safe for the whole family, from babies to adults.
With the Aroma Beads Technology, the fragrance lasts a long time, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing aroma experience.
Kikiyu
- Contains onsen mineral ingredients
- Granular bath salt
- Also available in herbal medicine formulas
Bathclin’s “Kikiyu Fine Heat Smart Model” is a carbon dioxide bath salt containing ginger-derived ginger powder.
It dissolves quickly while bubbling and penetrates the bath water thoroughly.
The carbon dioxide promotes blood circulation and warms the body from the core, making it effective for relieving fatigue, shoulder, and back pain.
It features a refreshing hot citrus scent similar to lemon, and is designed to keep you warm after bathing.
The refreshing and clean feel makes it perfect even for summer use.
Bath Roman
- For those who prioritize fragrance
- Affordable price
- Safe for babies over 3 months
Earth Pharmaceutical’s “Bath Roman Warm Yuzu Fragrance” is a bath salt containing moisturizing ingredients such as ginger extract and natural chamomile extract, making it ideal for dry skin.
It significantly increases skin moisture by 42% after bathing, making it a high-moisturizing product safe to use even with babies over 3 months old.
With its refreshing feel and soothing yuzu fragrance, it’s a family-friendly option that’s easy to use and enjoy.
Ayura Meditation Bath t
- Aromatic herbal fragrance
- High relaxation effect
- Popular among those in their 20s and 30s in Japan
Ayura Laboratories’ “Meditation Bath t” is a bath additive perfect for special pampering time.
It contains moisturizing ingredients such as mineral oil and glycerin to help maintain skin hydration.
The milky white bathwater creates a luxurious atmosphere, and the gentle herbal scent of rosemary and chamomile offers a relaxing effect as if you’re taking a forest bath.
It’s recommended for those looking to enjoy a special bath time that soothes both body and mind at the end of a long day.
Ayura Nightly Bath
- Moisturizes like a serum
- Improves sleep quality
- Great for half-body baths
Ain Pharmacies’ “Ayura Nightly Bath” is a paraben-free bath additive that moisturizes your skin like a serum, leaving it soft and smooth.
With a blend of lavender, bergamot, and sweet orange, its aromatic herbal fragrance offers a pleasant and relaxing bath experience.
The water texture is slightly smooth without being too thick, making it easy to use.
It’s perfect for those who love the aroma and want to refresh both their body and mind.
KeaNadeshiko Baking Soda Smooth Bath
- Exfoliating care for smooth skin
- Ideal for rough knees and heels
- Popular brand in Japan
Ishizawa Laboratories’ “KeaNadeshiko Baking Soda Smooth Bath” contains malic acid and is designed to soften and smooth skin by removing dead skin cells.
With the exfoliating ingredients, your skin feels silky smooth after bathing, but those with sensitive skin may feel some tightness, so caution is advised.
The moisturizing effect is moderate, so it’s best to follow up with moisturizing care immediately after bathing.
It has a light soap scent, making it perfect for a weekly exfoliating care routine.
Baku San Yu
- Sweat like a waterfall for a slimming effect
- Contains fat-breaking enzymes
- Popular among students
Bison’s “Baku San Yu” is a unique bath salt featuring sound sugar that creates a crackling and popping effect in the water.
It comes in various scents, such as soda squash and hot ginger, but it’s more geared towards weight loss rather than relaxation.
On the other hand, it boasts excellent moisturizing power, with skin moisture levels increasing by 38% after bathing, making it less prone to dryness.
It’s recommended for those who want to enjoy bath time with kids or who wish to sweat out and stay active to combat lack of exercise.
Tsumura Kusuri-yu
- Pleasant fragrance
- High moisturizing effect
- Enhanced bathing benefits
Tsumura’s “Kusuri-yu Bath Herb” has been a long-selling bath additive since its launch in 1975.
It contains six types of herbal extracts, such as peppermint and chamomile, which enhance the warm bath effect and help alleviate body chill.
The subtle citrusy green fragrance is well-loved for its refreshing effect, while also providing relaxation.
Additionally, it is rich in moisturizing ingredients that increase skin moisture by 20%, leaving your skin smooth and soft after use.
This balanced bath additive is perfect for easing cold sensitivity, shoulder stiffness, back pain, and fatigue, gently soothing your body after a long day.
Conclusion
In this article, I introduced bath salts that I recommend purchasing when visiting Japan.
Japanese bath salts are often designed with gentle formulations, making them safe to use even for those with sensitive skin. Be sure to give them a try!
In particular, bath salts featuring the names of famous hot springs across Japan are perfect as souvenirs, allowing you to enjoy onsen-like experiences at home.
