Jjimjilbang Guide: How to Use a Korean Bathhouse

By Dragon Kim · Updated October 21, 2026 · 7 min read

How much does a jjimjilbang cost?

Plan on roughly 10,000 to 20,000 won at a typical neighbourhood venue and 15,000 to 26,000 won at the large, well-known spas. The three official listings below show how much prices and hours vary; extras such as a body scrub, food and drinks are charged separately.

Another VisitKorea page for Riverside Spa Land lists slightly different fees, which shows why you should confirm the posted price at the counter. Visitor guides also report body scrubs (sesin) of about 20,000 to 50,000 won, and snacks such as sikhye or boiled eggs at a few thousand won each; treat those as approximate.

How do I use a jjimjilbang step by step?

Pay at the counter, shower and soak in the gender-separated bath, then change into the uniform and move to the shared sauna floor. The order below matches what visitor guides and venue pages describe, though layouts differ.

1. Pay and store your shoes. Leave outdoor shoes in the shoe locker at the entrance, then pay and collect your locker key or wristband, towels and uniform.
2. Undress in the locker room. Lockers are separated by gender. Keep the key or wristband on you, because it also records anything you buy.
3. Shower first, then soak. Wash thoroughly at the shower stations before entering any pool. Swimsuits are not allowed in the bath area.
4. Optional scrub. Take a number if the scrubbers work on a queue, and ask for a lighter touch if your skin is sensitive.
5. Change into the uniform. After bathing, put on the provided T-shirt and shorts and head to the mixed-gender floor.
6. Try the heated rooms. VisitKorea advises using the rooms at Supsok Hanbang Land in order from the lowest to the highest temperature, and warns that the hottest room risks skin burns, so wear socks and cotton gloves there.
7. Rest, eat and check out. Pay for snacks and extras when you leave by handing back the wristband or key.

Practical example: a first-time visitor to Seoul can spend an afternoon at a Line 2 venue such as Riverside Spa Land, soak and scrub in the bath area, then spend an hour in the sauna rooms before paying any extras at the exit.

What etiquette rules should I follow?

Shower before every soak, keep the bath area quiet and camera-free, and respect the gender and uniform zones. These rules come up repeatedly in visitor guides, and the venue's posted signs take priority over anything written here.

• Shower before pools: Rinse your whole body, including your hair, before getting in.
• No swimsuits in the bath area: Nudity is expected there, and only there.
• Hair and towels: Tie long hair up and keep towels out of the water.
• Phones and cameras: Visitor guides say photography is forbidden in bathing areas; use phones only on the common floor.
• Keep it quiet: No splashing, loud talking or public displays of affection.
• Food and drink: Eat only in snack bars or restaurants, not in the bath area.

For wider manners, see our guides to Korean etiquette and tipping in Korea.

What about tattoos, sleeping over and children?

These rules vary by venue, so ask at the counter or call ahead rather than assuming. The official pages checked for this guide do not state tattoo or age policies.

• Tattoos: Visitor guides say newer, larger spas tend to be relaxed while some older venues restrict visible tattoos.
• Sleeping over: Some venues run 24 hours, and Visit Seoul lists Riverside Spa Land as open around the clock. Expect a higher nighttime fee, and keep valuables in your locker.
• Children: Official listings show separate child prices (for example, 8,000 won at Supsok Hanbang Land), but age limits and bath rules are not given, so confirm with the venue.
• Health: Hot rooms are intense. Take breaks, drink water and leave if you feel dizzy.

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