Korean Bathhouse Slippers and Towels: What Is Shared, What to Bring
At a Korean public bath or jjimjilbang, the shoes, lockers and indoor slippers are handled for you, and towels are usually provided at the counter, often small ones and a limited number. Shared slippers in the locker area are normal; you leave your street shoes in a shoe locker at the entrance. What you may want to bring yourself: toiletries you like, a hair tie, a spare pair of flip-flops if you prefer your own, and a little cash or card for extras like extra towels, scrubs or snacks. Rules differ from place to place, so ask at the front desk.
The basic flow: what gets handed to you
Most bathhouses follow a similar order. Knowing it removes most of the stress on a first visit.
- Shoes off at the door. Put your shoes in a small shoe locker and keep the key.
- Pay at the counter. At many places you hand over the shoe key and receive a locker key, and at a jjimjilbang usually a set of loose clothes (a T-shirt and shorts) plus one or two towels.
- Locker room by gender. Change, store your things, and walk to the bath area.
- Bath area: fully undressed. Swimsuits are generally not worn in the gender-separated baths. Shower thoroughly before getting into any tub.
- Shared areas: in the provided clothes. At a jjimjilbang, the co-ed sauna rooms, rest areas and snack bar are where everyone wears the uniform.
For the bigger picture on manners, read our jjimjilbang etiquette guide for first-timers.
Slippers: what is shared
In many bathhouses, slippers sit near the locker room or bath entrance for anyone to use. They are communal and simply stay in that area. In the wet bath zone, many people go barefoot or use the house's bath slippers if provided. If shared footwear bothers you, bringing your own cheap flip-flops is completely acceptable; just keep them in your locker when you leave. Never wear your street shoes past the entrance.
Towels: provided, but small
Korean bathhouse towels are typically thin, hand-towel sized and very absorbent. You dry off with them, wrap your hair, or drape one over your head in a hot sauna room. A few points that surprise visitors:
- The number you get may be limited, and extra towels may cost a little.
- Used towels go in the return bin; they are not souvenirs.
- Large bath towels are uncommon, so if you love a big towel, bring your own.
- Small neighborhood baths (mogyoktang) may provide fewer amenities than large jjimjilbang complexes.
What is usually provided vs. what to bring
Often provided
- Shoe locker and clothes locker keys (often on a wristband)
- Towels, and at jjimjilbang, a set of loose clothes
- Hair dryers in the locker room; sometimes basic body wash or soap
Worth bringing
- Your own shampoo, conditioner and face wash if you are particular; some places sell small packets at the counter
- A hair tie, comb and skincare
- A small waterproof pouch for your phone, if you take it into rest areas
- An Italy towel (ittaeri, a scrub mitt) if you plan to scrub yourself; you can often buy one on site
- A change of underwear and socks
Yara from POPORO CITY says: "I always pack a hair tie. The towel is small, the hair is not."
Hygiene and comfort tips
Korean bathhouses tend to be strict about showering before soaking, keeping hair out of the water and not putting towels in the tubs. If you are shy about nudity, go early on a weekday when it is quieter. Tattoo policies vary, so if you have large tattoos, check with the venue first. Keep valuables in your locker and the key on your wrist the whole time.
Quick tips
- Shoes go in the shoe locker at the entrance; keep the key.
- Towels are small and sometimes counted; ask before taking more.
- Bring your own flip-flops and toiletries if you prefer.
- Shower first, no towels in the tub, no swimsuits in the baths.
- Rules differ by venue, so ask the front desk or check the venue's official page.
FAQ
Do I need to bring my own towel to a Korean bathhouse?
Usually not. Most places provide small towels with entry. Bring a larger one only if you want it.
Are the slippers really shared by everyone?
Yes, in many places the slippers in the locker or bath area are communal. Bringing your own flip-flops is fine.
Can I use the bathhouse's shampoo?
Some venues provide basic soap or body wash; others sell small packs. Bring your own if you want a specific product.
Can I keep the jjimjilbang clothes on in the bath area?
No. The clothes are for the shared co-ed areas. The gender-separated bath area is fully undressed.